Why Another DBZ Game After Sparking Zero is Likely Years Away

04/05/2024

The next title in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi’s lineage is approaching, with each announcement inching closer to Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s release. Its latest character reveals in the Master and Apprentice Trailer include the basic forms of Goku’s closest allies, as well as the Androids, Future Gohan, and Future Trunks from the DBZ version of Trunks’ alternate timeline. Even without knowing the full roster or mechanics yet, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero looks like a worthy successor to the old Budokai Tenkaichi games, and should delight players once it’s ready.

When that will be currently isn’t known, but the steady flow of trailers implies the wait shouldn’t be too long. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero has plenty more roster slots to fill out, but always does so in large chunks with at least one surprise mixed in, so fans always have something to look forward to. The current slate of Dragon Ball games is also healthy, so any frequent Dragon Ball gamers should have plenty to do before Sparking Zero’s launch. It’s a good thing, too, as new console Dragon Ball games taking a break after Sparking Zero comes out looks increasingly likely.

Predicting Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s Release Date

While the launch date of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero has yet to be confirmed, the context of its upcoming release indicates a likely window.

Dragon Ball Has All Of Its Bases Covered

Normally, Bandai Namco tries to publish at least one notable Dragon Ball release every year, whether that be a fighting game like Dragon Ball FighterZ, an action-RPG like Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, or something else like Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission or Dragon Ball: The Breakers. Accounting for mobile and arcade exclusives, there are plenty of Dragon Ball titles launching all the time. However, game development has become more expensive and complex over time, so this rapid pace might not be sustainable for much longer. Fortunately, Dragon Ball’s solutions are already in place.

There’s No Room For Another Dragon Ball Game Right Now

Once Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is out, all the brand’s main genres will be covered, and it sounds like it intends to double down on what coverage it has. Now that Dragon Ball FighterZ has received its modern ports and rollback netcode updates, Sparking Zero should take over as the main recipient of fighting game DLC. Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is also still getting major content updates, and rumor has it that Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot isn’t done adapting arcs from Dragon Ball canon. Every expected genre front is covered with a stable flow of content, so a more costly new release shouldn’t be necessary for a while.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Will Dominate The DBZ Game Space

That notion will be reinforced by Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, which intends to satiate fans with one of the most expensive Dragon Ball gaming experiences possible. Boasting 164 characters at launch and a confirmed return to Budokai Tenkaichi’s celebrated features after a decade without them, it’s clear that Sparking Zero is built to impress, and its parts weren’t cheap. A game this big could represent a franchise for an entire console generation if it sells well, and that may be Sparking Zero’s goal. Once it’s in place, it can safely become a DLC platform to keep players occupied while funding the next round of Dragon Ball games in the background.

Nothing Can Replace A Successful Sparking Zero Until It’s Run Its Course

Besides the logistics of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s release and the continued support of its diverse peers, there’s also the matter of future Dragon Ball games paling next to this one. Not only is its roster nearly unmatched, but Sparking Zero’s unseen mode selection could also bite into the average Dragon Ball game’s offering unless it occupies a niche like Dragon Ball: The Breakers. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero could mean reduced scope and frequency for the next few years of Dragon Ball games, but it should be enough to keep spirits high until something else rises to take its place.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

Considered part to the Budokai Tenkachi series, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is an in-development arena fighter developed by Spike Chunsoft and published by Namco Bandai.

FranchiseDragon BallPlatform(s)Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS5, PCDeveloper(s)Spike ChunsoftPublisher(s)Namco BandaiGenre(s)Fighting, Action See at Official SiteSee at Playstation Store