Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO marks the first portable release of the Tenkaichi series on a handheld in more than a decade. While the game has been out for some time, being able to take the Switch 2 version on the go thanks to its hybrid design was still exciting. The main concern was how the performance and visuals would hold up on the Switch 2. Honestly, the port has exceeded my expectations, especially when it comes to performance.
Starting with the story, Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is packed with content, but it does not really offer an original narrative of its own. Instead, it includes several single-player modes, one of which is Episode Battles. This mode retells the full Dragon Ball saga through eight different playable characters. It focuses on the key battles each character faces throughout their journey, from Super Saiyan Goku to the events on Planet Namek. The story also includes some what-if scenarios that explore alternative takes on the narrative. These feel like fun fan service moments that may not be canon, but they give players a chance to step outside the norm and experiment with different timelines.
Visually, the game looks great on the Switch 2 in both portable and docked modes. I was especially surprised by how well the visuals scale up when docked. While performance is capped at 30 FPS, the overall image quality comes very close to the PS5 version, particularly when it comes to character models. It feels like the developers chose to focus on visual quality over raw performance, and in this case, that decision works well.
The reason for this is that Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is not a traditional fighting game. It is more of a cinematic action game, where the focus is on button-mashing mixed with well-timed inputs. Battles take place both on the ground and in the air, and the arenas are large with plenty of destructible environments. The attacks are very flashy and fun to watch, but they do not demand the kind of precise inputs you would expect from a traditional fighting game. Because of this, sticking to 30 FPS makes sense, especially when the visuals look this good. I would even say that without a side-by-side comparison, it looks almost as impressive as the PS5 version.
The game includes all the features found in the console and PC releases, with no content cut. Every playable character is available, although they need to be unlocked by playing through the game. Load times are generally fine, but I did notice that the main menu can feel slow at times. When opening the menu, there is a noticeable delay as the game appears to try to connect online, during which the controls are unresponsive. This can be a bit frustrating.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is a 3D arena brawler with more than 180 characters. While many characters have multiple variations, sometimes more than nine versions of the same fighter, the overall roster is still impressive. These variations usually change specific moves or special abilities, while the core gameplay remains mostly the same. The game also features a strong transformation system that leads to very flashy attacks. Some of these trigger quick time events, which may be simple, but they are still enjoyable to watch.
For a more detailed review, you can check out our coverage of the PS5 version, but the short version is that this is a solid follow-up for the Tenkaichi line of Dragon Ball games. It does not really work as a competitive fighter and is better suited for casual play with friends. That said, there is online multiplayer for both casual and ranked matches, so it still has a competitive side, even if things can feel a bit unbalanced.
At first, the Switch 2 port felt disappointing from a technical standpoint, as it seemed like the game could have run at 60 FPS. After spending more time with it, though, the gameplay holds up well, and the performance never felt bad in actual play. One pleasant surprise was HDR support on Switch 2, which makes the colors stand out and gives the game a more vibrant look. Overall, it is one of the stronger ports on the system, whether you play in portable or docked mode.
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO Game Information
- Price: $59.99
- Publisher: Bandai Namco
- Developer: Spike Chunsoft
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
