The first tests of Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO have just been published by numerous specialized video game sites. After so many years of waiting for fans, is the fourth episode of the Budokai Tenkaichi series up to par? Well it seems so if we are to believe these first returns, some even speak of it as the best Dragon Ball game to date! Here is a selection of Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO tests from French sites.
Les premiers tests de Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO
Jeuxvideo.com (Read the test)
More than 17 years after Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Sparking Zero takes the strengths of its predecessor to go even further. With the generosity of its casting, the quality of its effects and the impressive staging of its shots, the game excels in its fanservice. But above all, the title stands out for its gameplay as technical as its predecessors which offers both real room for progression and instant fun thanks to its accessibility options. Too bad the fights are a little spoiled by readability and camera issues. At the same time, we can criticize the game for its minimum service for its interfaces, its cutscenes and its training mode which clash with the care given to the rest of the experience. Despite everything, Sparking Zero has everything to delight Dragon Ball fans, even those who want to play locally who will have to settle for just one arena for the moment, because it really is the Budokai Tenkaichi 4 that everyone has been waiting for.
16/20
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IGN (Read the test)
We can level some criticisms at Sparking! Zero regarding the ergonomics of its menus and the animation of the cutscenes, which do not meet our expectations. The first can be quickly corrected by patches, but above all, we must admit that neither of these weak points taints our pleasure of fighting once the game is launched. In this, the title does not suffer from any real fault; on the contrary, it offers endless pleasure to Dragon Ball (Z/Super/GT) fans. Between its infinity of modes giving everything a player could dream of and its already gargantuan roster. Certainly, we could criticize the game for this lack of craziness that we had in the past, like with the possibility of merging non-canon characters or allowing Boo to absorb different targets other than those of the original work or again its splitscreen added in a hurry. However, these problems are balanced by far more alternative stories than expected. Finally, if Sparking presents a roller coaster difficulty curve, intensive training before each fight can compensate for this ordeal. Isn’t that the adage of a true shonen hero?
9/10
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Games News (Read the test)
Since our first hands-on last June, we already knew that Dragon Ball Sparking Zero was going to pulverize everything in its path, but we were far from suspecting that Spike Chunsoft was going to refine its combat system to this extent. Indeed, the Japanese studio has not only offered us the best video game adaptation of an anime, but it has also deepened the gameplay, much more technical than it seems when we see the explosiveness on-screen fights. There are dozens and dozens of manipulations to learn by heart in order to in turn achieve Ultra Instinct, and thus know how to read through what the layman will take for an incomprehensible visual mess, when in fact it is nothing of the sort. . Enjoyable to learn, with a nice progression curve as well, the gameplay of Sparking Zero has never so well transcribed what we expect from a Dragon Ball game. It’s exceptional. Visually, it is also well mastered and it has already been several months that the public has been able to see to what extent Jun Furutani’s team masters its subject. Each fight, each attack, each wave of energy thrown makes the screen vibrate but also the heart of any Dragon Ball fan. It’s so funny, so well staged that we always come away feeling galvanized. But in addition to having respected the work of Akira Toriyama like never before, Spike Chunsoft also offers players a game of great generosity, packed with game modes, things to unlock, stories to tell (even if the What If is ultimately less interesting than expected), bonuses to consult, in short, you got it, we too, we were seriously respected. No need to procrastinate any further, Sparking Zero is by far the greatest Dragon Ball game ever made.
19/20
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Actu Gaming (Read the test)
Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is the ultimate adaptation of a 3D fighting game, both enjoyable and accessible, that we would like to see for all shônen in general. The core cast is so generous that it easily makes up for the avalanche of DLC to come. Not only are we treated to a stunning Dragon Ball game thanks to Unreal Engine 5, but the attention to detail at every level clearly demonstrates the developers’ desire to satisfy long-time fans. Of course, we can quibble about the absence of certain costumes, sets or characters, but it is impossible to deny the enormous work accomplished to meet the colossal expectations that this title aroused. Quite simply the best Dragon Ball fighting game to date, and it will no doubt remain so for a long, long time.
9/10
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Gamergen (Read the test)
In conclusion, DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO is a beautiful video game work that delights long-time fans and entertains the new generation. It is a production designed for all types of players, with rich and varied content that promises to entertain us for many hours. The modes are crazy, the “what-ifs” are well thought out, the animations are enough to titillate, yes, Budokai Tenkaichi is indeed back, and it’s nice to find such an experience on our shelves. Obviously, we can only recommend this little marvel, and we hope that the developers will refine / correct some defects in the months to come. In the meantime, the hairs stand on end, the magic happens, if you like the work of Akira Toriyama, you will be won over!
17/20
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Gameblog (Read the test)
Expected like milk on fire, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero had the effect of a Kamehameha straight out of our hands, the fruit of our exaltation, the many sleepless nights to unlock the entire roster and our cumulative pleasure in playing , play and play again. The title is not perfect, suffers from some optimization issues which perhaps result from certain choices on the part of the development team, but remains great. Since Dragon Ball Fighter Z, we have lacked a title that could renew the license with as much freshness and it’s a resounding return for the Budokai Tenkaichi saga!
9/10
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Xboxygen (Read the test)
A long time ago, even considering a Dragon Ball game of this caliber would have been nothing more than a sweet dream. Shenron clearly met our expectations! Faithful, respectful of his work and very generous, this new version / reboot of the Sparking series is worth the detour. Is this the ultimate transformation of the Tenkaichi series? Nothing is less certain, the fault of a few faults which only need to be corrected…
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As for the foreign press, the tests are also positive since the Metacritic site which brings together all the tests available abroad (and also in France) displays 84% average rating from 29 recorded reviews. In short, Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO seems on course not to disappoint fans.
Dragon Ball Sparkling! ZERO will be available from this Tuesday, October 8 in early access for players who have pre-ordered the Deluxe edition or the Ultimate edition of the game. Don’t miss the good deals from our partner gamesplanet to get your game on PC at the best price.
Dragon Ball Sparkling! ZERO is a 3D fighting game developed by Spike Chunsoft, and published by Bandai Namco. This is a new opus in the Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi series (Dragon Ball Z Sparking! in Japan). The game was first revealed in March 2023 during the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour event, where a first teaser was shown. The very first trailer was revealed in December 2023 during the Game Awards ceremony, revealing gameplay and certain playable characters. Dragon Ball Sparkling! ZERO will be released on PS5, XBOX Series X|S and PC on October 11, 2024in Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate and Collector’s Editions.
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