The Dragon Ball series’ popularity is nothing short of massive, whether it’s films, TV, anime, or in this case, gaming. The latest upcoming entry in the beloved Tenkaichi series of arena fighting games, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, has fans on the edge of their seats.
With the inclusion of updates from Dragon Ball Super, as well as a roster focussed heavily on Goku and Vegeta, the game looks to be lined up for success. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, as there’s an integral feature of the series that is still unconfirmed for Sparking Zero, and could make a huge difference to its reception.
Couch Co-op MIA?
The Tenkaichi series has traditionally thrived on its robust local multiplayer experience. Players have relished the opportunity to face off against each other as their favorite Dragon Ball characters in enormous and empty 3D environments, making for tense, and sometimes, hilarious moments through split-screen battles in the same room.
This core feature, however, seems to be absent from Sparking Zero‘s online store listings, raising concerns for fans who cherish the series’ local multiplayer roots. While online multiplayer has undoubtedly become a dominant force in modern gaming, the potential exclusion of split-screen in the next Dragon Ball arena fighter signifies a concerning trend.
Several notable titles in recent years, like Call of Duty: MW3 Zombies, Halo Infinite (campaign), and Halo 5, have faced heavy criticism for abandoning local multiplayer features that were integral for those franchises.
This shift away from split-screen gameplay raises concerns about the future of local co-op gaming, particularly for franchises like Dragon Ball, where the over-the-top action can be incredibly entertaining next to someone else.
The Tenkaichi series, in particular, uniquely benefited from split-screen functionality. The dynamic camera angles and expansive battlefields were best experienced alongside another player, fostering a distinct and engaging local multiplayer experience.
The absence of this feature in Sparking Zero could potentially alienate a significant portion of the fanbase who hold these shared memories dear.
There’s Still Hope For Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
Even though developer Spike Chunsoft’s silence isn’t encouraging, it’s crucial to acknowledge that Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is still in its early stages. While the current listings only mention online multiplayer, there’s still a chance for split-screen functionality to be included before launch.
Recent successes like Baldur’s Gate 3, Gran Turismo 7, It Takes Two, and Mortal Kombat 1 demonstrate that there’s still a strong demand for local co-op experiences in the gaming landscape. The continued vocalization of fan concerns could potentially influence the developers to reconsider their approach. With a new trailer around the corner, local multiplayer for Sparking Zero could be on the verge of being announced.
Ultimately, the game’s reception will hinge on the decision to include or exclude split-screen. Online multiplayer offers the ability to play with anyone across the world, but neglecting the established local co-op tradition of the Tenkaichi series would definitely leave a sense of incompleteness and disappointment among its passionate fanbase.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is currently in development, and is yet to be assigned a release date.
