Summary
Fans have waited years forBudokai Tenkaichi 4, and have finally gotten their answer withDragon Ball: Sparking Zero. One of the features that made this series so beloved in the first place was the concept of “What Ifs”. In these What If sagas, players would get to re-experience iconicDragon Ballscenes in a whole new light.Sparking Zerois bringing back What Ifs, and the nextDragon Ballgame should take notes.
After Sparking Zero, The Next Dragon Ball Game Needs an Original Story
Explaining Dragon Ball Sparking Zero’s ‘What Ifs’
While a few otherDragon Ballgames featured similar concepts, What If stories were first introduced in the very firstBudokai Tenkaichigame. These stories would revolve around a major moment in the series, and completely change the outcome of events with a shocking twist. The mode was instantly considered a fan favorite, and has persisted in every entry since.
Budokai Tenkaichi 3releasedall the way back in 2007, and was the last mainline game in the series. With such a long gap in releases, many assumed that the series was done for good.Dragon Ball Xenoverse,Dragon Ball Fighterz, andDragon Ball Z: Kakarotall received a warm welcome from critics and fans alike, so it seemed like developers had simply shifted priorities. However,Sparking Zerois picking up the torch after all, and that means reviving one of the series' most popular features.
Dragon Ball Games Stick Too Close to the Anime
Despite its roots as a gag manga,Dragon Ballhas a rich legacyas an action-packed battle shonen. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that most adaptations of the series tend to manifest as fighting games. Fighting games can be somewhat notorious for having thin plots, butDragon Ball’s appeal among casual gamers has made story modes a consistent priority.
Truly plot-heavyDragon Ballgames are still few and far between, but that doesn’t mean they’re nonexistent. After all, there are several decades of storytelling that could inspire developers towards a truly exciting single-player experience. However,someDragon Ballgameshave begun to use this rich legacy as a bit of a crutch.
It’s not uncommon forDragon Ballgames to feature a story mode that simply recaps events from the anime, withDragon Ball Z: Kakarotbeing the most recent example.Dragon Ballis one of the most recognizable series in the world, meaning anyone that picks up one of these games is likely to already be familiar with major events of the series. As much as some fans may enjoy this,Dragon Ball: Sparking Zeroshows that a greater dose of originality never hurt anyone.
‘What Ifs’ Could Serve as the Perfect Blueprint for a Future Dragon Ball Game
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s announcementcame as a pleasant surprise to longtime fans of the series. The reveal that What Ifs would return alongside it brought about even more joyful nostalgia. It shows that developers have been listening to demand, and What Ifs themselves could serve as the perfect blueprint for the nextDragon Ballgame.
Dragon Ballfanshave a clear appetite for original stories with these beloved characters, andDragon Ball: Sparking Zeromakes that more clear than ever.Dragon Ball Xenoversewas the most plot-heavy game beforeKakarot, and it featured a story that largely involved time-altering adventures throughout the series' history. While a wholly original story would be more than welcome, adopting a What If format for the next game’s story would be a perfect compromise.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
WHERE TO PLAY
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO takes the legendary gameplay of the Budokai Tenkaichi series and raises it to whole new levels. Become a super warrior and experience the earth-shaking, limit-breaking power of DRAGON BALL battles!Unleash the strength of over 180 fighters from DRAGON BALL Z, DRAGON BALL Super, DRAGON BALL GT, and selected DRAGON BALL movies, all in the base game! Each character comes with their own signature abilities, transformations, and techniques.Make the destructive power of the strongest fighters ever to appear in DRAGON BALL yours!Engage in heart-pounding, high-speed 3D battles that stay true to the anime and video game series, with breathtaking visuals and authentic combat moves like beam clashes, rush attacks, movements too quick for the eyes to see, and planet-razing ultimate attacks.Challenge other players online to test your skills, or sit down with friends offline to hone your skills exclusively in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber! Fight your way to become a champion across various tournament modes and victory conditions.Conquer the action-packed battles from the beloved original story, or discover and unlock new encounters for your favorite Z-Fighters and more. Relive your favorite moments from the series through cutscenes you can experience from the perspectives of eight characters!Recreate your favorite battles from throughout the DRAGON BALL story, or set up your dream story battle with your favorite characters! Share your creations with other fans and experience the battles brought to life by imaginations around the world.
