| DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | DLC & Pre-Order | Review |
DRAGON BALL Spaking! ZERO is a 3D anime arena fighter based on the popular manga and TV series. Read on to learn about the game's latest news and developments! Read on to learn about the game's latest news and developments!
← Return to DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO main article
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO News
2025
November 14
⚫︎ DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO finally launches on the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2 on November 14, 2025, available in Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate Editions for both systems. The game features all 180+ characters, single-player episode battles, expansive customization, local and online multiplayer modes, and new motion controls utilizing the Switch and Switch 2's Joy-Con controllers.
September 19
⚫︎ Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO DLC ‘DAIMA Character Pack 2’ will launch on September 24 with six playable characters coming to the game: Goku (Mini) Super Saiyan 4, Goku (Daima) Super Saiyan 4, Vegeta (Daima) Super Saiyan 3, Majin Duu, Third Eye Gomah, and Giant Gomah.
Early access, alongisde a new update release, will begin September 21 at 3 PM PT / 6 PM ET.
September 10
⚫︎ DRAGON BALL: SPARKING! ZERO’s system trailer showcases gameplay and the motion controls feature on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The game will be released on these consoles on November 14, 2025.
September 2
⚫︎ DRAGON BALL Games Battle Hour 2026 comes back to Los Angeles on 18 and 19 April 2026. The event will feature booth exhibits, merchandise sales, and stage events for DRAGON BALL GEKISHIN SQUADRA and DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO.
June 18
⚫︎ Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO's reveals that the next character to join the massive roster is none other than Shallot, the amnesiac Saiyan protagonist of the mobile game spinoff Dragon Ball Legends. The trailer reveals his special moves and unique interactions with fellow Saiyans like Raditz and Nappa, and antagonists like Captain Ginyu and Frieza. It's announced that Shallot will officially be playable on June 26, 2025, where Season Pass owners can play him 72 hours earlier.
April 28
⚫︎ Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO has been rated for the Nintendo Switch 2 by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Media Regulation. Although an official announcement has not been made, the rating suggests that a port for Nintendo’s upcoming console may be revealed soon.
April 22
⚫︎ Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is receiving its second DLC pack this week, featuring content from the upcoming anime Dragon Ball Daima. The pack includes eight new playable characters, some of which are alternate forms of the same fighter. Early access players can download the content now, with general availability set for April 24. No new stages are included in the update.
March 17
⚫︎ Bandai Namco and developer Spike Chunsoft have announced that the second downloadable content pack for Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO will launch in April. The update will introduce new playable characters from Dragon Ball DAIMA, including Vegeta (Mini), Goku (Mini), and Glorio.
March 5
⚫︎ A new update for Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is now live on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, delivering balance changes for Piccolo and Broly, along with various gameplay tweaks. The update is part of developer Spike Chunsoft’s ongoing efforts to refine the experience and recapture the strong player engagement seen at launch.
February 17
⚫︎ In a major moment for Dragon Ball fans, the latest episode of Dragon Ball Daima has officially made Super Saiyan 4 Goku canon, 28 years after the transformation first appeared in the non-canonical Dragon Ball GT. The fan-favorite form, originally designed by Akira Toriyama but long relegated to spin-offs and alternate media, now joins the official lore alongside a new milestone: Vegeta’s first-ever canon Super Saiyan 3 transformation.
As expected, the community was quick to respond—modders have already brought Super Saiyan 4 Goku into Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, adding the transformation to the game's expansive roster within days of the episode’s release.
February 4
⚫︎ Bandai Namco Entertainment has announced that Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO has officially sold over five million units worldwide. The milestone was confirmed in a press release celebrating the game's commercial success. Alongside the announcement, the company shared a commemorative image featuring Goku and Vegeta preparing to clash, thanking fans for their continued support.
January 18
⚫︎ Bandai Namco has announced that Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO will receive its first major DLC, Hero of Justice, on January 23. The pack introduces 11 new characters from the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero film, including multiple forms of Gohan and Piccolo, Gamma 1 & 2, and Cell Max.
Players who purchase the $34.99 Season Pass, which includes three planned DLC packs, will gain early access starting January 20 at 3 PM PT / 6 PM ET / 11 PM UK. The new fighters will be available all at once, expanding the game’s already extensive roster.
January 12
⚫︎ Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO features a massive roster of 182 characters spanning the Dragon Ball franchise. With the debut of the new anime series Dragon Ball Daima, fans are speculating that characters and story elements from the show may be added to the game in future updates or DLCs.
January 9
⚫︎ Rumors are swirling in the Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO community regarding upcoming DLC content, with multiple sources suggesting that Bandai Namco may reveal official release dates during the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2025, scheduled for January 18–19.
According to speculation, the first DLC pack is expected to launch roughly a week after the event, likely before the end of January. A second DLC is also reportedly planned for release in Q1 2025, potentially arriving in February or March. While details remain unconfirmed, fans are hopeful for concrete announcements at or shortly after the Battle Hour showcase.
2024
December 11
⚫︎ Bandai Namco has released a substantial free update for Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, adding new gameplay features, character adjustments, and quality-of-life improvements. Offline P1 vs. P2 battles now include access to all stages, and new customization options like My Sets
and team visibility settings have been added. Players can now perform the new “High-Speed Dragon Dash” for rapid movement, and intro battle animations in online Ranked and Player Matches can be skipped if both players agree.
The update also delivers major combat system tweaks, including adjusted Ki costs, improved deflection mechanics, rebalanced Rush and Smash Attacks, and changes to Z-Counter and Sparking! Mode behavior.
Several characters—including Android 19, Dr. Gero, Cooler, and Giant characters—have received individual balance changes, and certain skills and blasts have been modified to better align with competitive play.
November 27
⚫︎ Despite early claims from developers that Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is definitely not an esports game,
the title's competitive debut is already facing criticism. During the French qualifiers for Bandai Namco's official Dramatic Showdown tournament, a match between finalists Hilliasteur and Shiryuu sparked community backlash after both players exploited a gameplay imbalance involving Android characters.
By abusing the mechanic that allows Androids to dash without consuming Ki, the match devolved into repeated evasive flying and minimal engagement, with victory going to the player who held a slight health lead when the timer expired.
November 8
⚫︎ Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. has unveiled the Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO DRAMATIC SHOWDOWN!, the first official global tournament for the newly released anime fighting game. The competition will feature online matches and culminate in physical qualifiers at DRAGON BALL GAMES BATTLE HOUR 2025, scheduled for January 18–19 in Los Angeles.
October 16
⚫︎ Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. has announced that Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, the first sequel in over 15 years to the iconic Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series, has sold over 3 million units worldwide within 24 hours of its launch.
