Dragon Ball Sparking Zero: Release date speculation, Budokai Tenkaichi 4 news

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Making its glorious return after over a decade of absence, the Tenkaichi series was known for its humongous roster of playable characters, massive 3D battles in arenas filled with destructible environments, and over-the-top visuals.

Read on to find out everything there is to know about the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero release date, or our best guess at when that might be, and what to expect of the Budokai Tenkaichi 4 gameplay. Instant Transmission your way to the end of the page to watch a trailer!

When is the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero release date?

There is currently no confirmed release date for Dragon Ball Sparking Zero. We have recently been given a decent look at Goku, Vegeta and the gang in a new trailer, though, so we shouldn't be too far from a release date reveal (fingers crossed).

Given that the original games were all released in October/November of 2005, 2006 and 2007, we should probably expect the new Tenkaichi game to launch at a similar time in late 2024. We’ll update this page with new release date information as and when it is confirmed.

Can I pre-order Dragon Ball Sparking Zero?

Despite the fact there is no confirmed release date, you can pre-order Dragon Ball Sparking Zero. You can place a pre-order down at GAME.

It's worth noting that there is no box art or release date yet, but you can still pre-order a physical copy of the game way ahead of time. The GAME pre-order price guarantee will ensure you pay the lowest price it reaches between when you place your order and when the game releases.

You can also add the game to your Steam wishlist.

Which consoles and platforms can play Dragon Ball Sparking Zero?

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero can be played on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (via Steam), Bandai Namco has confirmed.

It looks as though the new Budokai Tenkaichi game won't be available to play on PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch. There is a chance the game could end up on the heavily rumoured Nintendo Switch 2, however, so keep those fingers crossed for a reveal of both.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero gameplay and story details

In the brief moments we've seen of the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero gameplay, we have learned that Goku and Vegeta, two of the most powerful anime characters, will be able to transform into their most up-to-date Super Saiyan forms.

This means that Dragon Ball Super is being thrown into the Budokai Tenkaichi mix. We should see new playable characters, stages, and transformations from the series in the new Tenkaichi.

In terms of its roster, we already know that Goku and Vegeta are included but also we've seen Broly, Trunks (and Dragon Ball Super Future Trunks), Frieza, Majin Buu, Cell, Android 17, Android 18, Krillin, Piccolo, Yamcha, Tien, Jiren, Hercule, and Bergamo.

You can see more of the gameplay in this awesome trailer showcasing Goku and Vegeta fighting (which teases over 160 characters in the roster!) along with their various forms:

Fingers crossed we get plenty of deep cuts and faithful recreations of characters obscure and well-known, from all across the Dragon Ball universe, not just Z and Super. We demand OG Dragon Ball and GT characters, too! A cheeky Dragon Ball Daima nod won't hurt, either.

In terms of gameplay, expect more of the flashy special moves, the ability to transform on the fly and destructible environments in the large 3D battle arenas we know and love of the Tenkaichi franchise except this time it's all ultra-sharp and highly defined thanks to Unreal Engine 5 and the power of the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

In a severely disappointing turn of events, it sounds as though Dragon Ball Sparking Zero won't include a local split-screen multiplayer mode.

During an interview (translated here on X), a developer of the game explained that "The local split-screen mode won't be available after all, not because of the developers, but because of problems with Sony and Microsoft, which complicate the split-screen adaptation."

It sounds like the development team wishes to implement a split-screen mode, though, with the interview detailing how "They are trying to find a solution" to the major problem. "The team is aware of the demand. The developers mentioned that adapting games to the Xbox Series S is particularly difficult."

Sounds like it is an issue with the Series S version of the game, similar to why Baldur's Gate 3 was held back on Xbox.

We spent hours upon hours on the split-screen mode back in the day on Budokai Tenkaichi, so hopefully this is added to the game after launch. It honestly would not be the same without it.

The same interview mentions that "Dragon Ball GT characters will be included, perhaps in the base roster or as DLC. The game will also include fusions. Characters from the Dragon Ball movies will be included, up to and including Gohan Beast probably." Finally, "a full story mode will be present, following and evolving fro Tenkaichi 3."

Is there a Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 4 trailer?

Yes, there is a Dragon Ball Sparking Zero trailer! Check out the announcement trailer to catch a glimpse of the gameplay, playable characters, and sharp graphics below:

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