Dragon Ball fans have been eagerly anticipating the return of the beloved Budokai Tenkaichi series since their prayers were finally answered at The Game Awards 2023. Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, the fourth installment in the series bearing the Japanese title, promises to deliver an evolved Dragon Ball Z gameplay experience on next-gen consoles and PCs when it releases on October 11, 2024.
Developed by Spike Chunsoft, the studio behind the original Budokai Tenkaichi games, and published by Bandai Namco, Sparking! Zero aims to capture the spirit and nostalgia of the franchise while introducing new features and improvements.
The Power of Unreal Engine 5
At the heart of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is the same cutting-edge game engine that powers the visually stunning Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II — the mighty Unreal Engine 5. Released on May 21, 2024, Hellblade 2 has left players and critics alike in awe with its breathtaking visuals, immersive audio, and captivating storytelling, setting a new benchmark for what’s possible in next-gen gaming.
In an interview with IGN following the game’s announcement, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero producer Jun Furutani couldn’t contain his excitement about the game’s visual fidelity and environmental interactions, thanks to UE5:
What was interesting to see with [Sparking! Zero] was the effect on the environment. When Goku is charging his ki, you have a little bit of wind picking up. When someone crashes through a boulder or a building [after an attack] it’s happening in real time. We’ll be using Unreal Engine 5, so the graphics are just that more real and immersive.
Given Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities and the increased “freedom, fidelity, and flexibility” it equips developers with, players can expect a higher degree of realism and immersion as they battle their way through iconic locations and moments from the Dragon Ball Z series.
Capturing the Spirit of Budokai Tenkaichi
While embracing the latest technology, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero also aims to stay true to the spirit and nostalgia of the Budokai Tenkaichi series. Furutani drew inspiration from his time observing the Dragon Ball FighterZ esports scene, where players enjoyed recreating legendary battles from the anime.
This focus on authenticity and immersion seems to be the driving force behind Sparking! Zero‘s development. Furutani further emphasized the game’s goal of pushing the boundaries of player immersion in the Dragon Ball universe, stating:
The focus here is to push the limits of how much a player can completely immerse themselves into the world and how intensely we can make that [happen].
The game also promises to bring back classic gameplay with a wide cast of characters from across Dragon Ball media.
A New Beginning for Dragon Ball Games?
While the game’s title may suggest otherwise, Sparking! Zero is not actually a prequel to the Budokai Tenkaichi series. Instead, the “Zero” in the title represents a new beginning for the franchise, serving as an accessible starting point for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
The game’s advanced graphics, dynamic lighting, and real-time environmental interactions, all with an anime twist, promise to make players feel like they’re genuinely part of the Dragon Ball universe, immersing them in the iconic battles and moments they’ve come to love.
And by harnessing the power of next-gen technology while maintaining a deep respect for the source material, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is set to deliver an experience that fans have been dreaming of for years.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is set to release on October 11, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is available now on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
