Bandai Namco
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero and Budokai Tenkaichi 3, and the change is stunning
The Budokai Tenkaichi series returns for its fourth installment and promises to be everything fans have always dreamed of.
PlayStation 2 and Wii were the consoles that received Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, an indication of how much time has passed since the release of this installment that some consider its heyday on all levels. After more than 15 years of absence, Bandai Banco finally announced a new title that was seen in all its glory during The Game Awards 2023. It is Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, faithful to the spirit of the classic. Since it could not be otherwise, the first comparisons have already appeared. And yes, of course, the leap is huge.
In 2007, there were many who thought that Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 “looked like the anime”, a statement that was far from the truth, but at the time it was not so out of place. Comparing the new title to its predecessor, it is clear that improvements have been made in every aspect, from the modeling of the characters to the effects and the level of detail in the scenarios.
You can check it out below, thanks to a video uploaded by Loooru.
What studio is developing Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero and what platforms will it be released on?
This new production is being developed by Spike Chunsoft, the original Budokai Tenkaichi studio, using Unreal Engine 4. In addition, this time the original Japanese name has been used, as the classics were called Sparking in Japan.
“This is the DRAGON BALL fighting game players have been waiting for, bringing a new sequel for one of the most beloved game series based on the franchise to a new generation of players,” said Mike Chang, VP, Marketing and Digital Business, Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. “It has been more than 15 years since DRAGON BALL Z: BUDKAI TENKAICHI pioneered arena brawlers, and DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO continues the legacy while adding new genre-defining features made possible only with the latest game platforms to deliver one of the most immersive anime game experiences of all time.”
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.