Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Switch 2 Review

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

Nothing beats a great anime fighting game, and when it comes to anime, it does not get much bigger than Dragon Ball. Now, I’m just super saying this to get it out of the way, but I don’t really know much about the series, so I’m going in with little knowledge about who the characters are and where the story has led. Despite this, I was very excited to try Dragon Ball Sparking Zero when it landed in my inbox. What’s It Like? Practice those punches, perfect your roundhouse kick, and Kamehameha with me as we review Dragon Ball Sparking Zero for Nintendo Switch 2.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero follows the mainline story and is split into several digestible chapters. As someone who does not know my Krillins from my Vegetas, I found the game surprisingly easy to follow. It plays out like a highlight reel and fills in the essential information newcomers need. Each chapter usually focuses on fighting a specific villain, powering up, and pushing the story forward. The game sometimes branches away from the main path when you complete certain objectives. These moments shift the timeline into a kind of “what-if” scenario. They act as fun diversions that show alternate endings or dream matchups. I cannot spoil them, but I stumbled on a few myself and thought they were a great addition.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is a 3D fighter at heart, and the campaign is where you will likely spend most of your time. The controls are very easy to pick up, and after a slightly clunky first battle while learning how to fly and dodge, everything started to click. Within a few matches, I felt like a Super Saiyan, launching devastating attacks, reversing punch combos, and moving around the battlefield with confidence. This simple approach to inputs makes the game accessible for players of all skill levels. You will be punching and kicking, air dodging, and charging up your ki to unleash powerful moves like an energy blade or even a spirit bomb. Completing Goku’s initial campaign unlocks more characters and adds more context to the story. There’s also plenty of DLC you can purchase ot further extend the life of the game for cashed-up Dragon Ball fans.

For anyone who wants to jump straight into the action, there is a world tournament mode that supports both offline and online play. The game also includes a large amount of user-generated content that leans into the “what if” nature of the story branches. You can even create your own battles and scenarios. I was not able to test the online modes on Switch 2 during my review time, but you can search for rooms or create your own to match your preferred parameters and skill level. There is plenty of gameplay on offer, and the freedom to create your own story-style scenarios adds a sense of endless replayability. Players can also use earned currency to purchase new fighters and outfits, voice lines, and background music, giving you plenty to unlock over time. Completing campaigns lets you use dragon balls to summon powerful characters, which expands an already impressive roster. There are also challenges and achievements you can tick off for extra rewards. Some are simple, like using super moves a specific number of times, while others require very precise actions, adding another layer of depth for players who enjoy mastering the mechanics.

Graphically, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero looks incredible in action, using cell-shaded characters against more realistically rendered environments. The characters and animations are some of the best I’ve seen in a fighter, seamlessly switching to close-up shots of characters channelling their inner rage while performing outrageous, over-the-top moves. Blue energy flames swirl spectacularly, while dust and debris fly when you send your opponent soaring. It is quite a show, and even after performing these moves hundreds of times, I never got bored with lighting up my opponent. The way the animation and abilities work make you feel like you’re playing inside an episode of Dragon Ball, and fans of the series will probably find it even more spectacular than I did, and that’s saying something. The environments, however, can feel a bit bland compared to the spectacle of the battles, which does not detract from the fun but is worth noting. Dragon Ball Sparking Zero delivers strong audio across the board. The game features great voice acting in both English and Japanese, letting players choose their preferred style. The soundtrack does a fantastic job of pumping up your adrenaline during fights, with high-energy tracks that make battles feel intense and cinematic. Battle cries and character banter throughout matches add another layer of excitement, while also providing bits of exposition that help immerse you in the world. Combined, the music, effects, and voice work make the combat feel both dynamic and fully alive.

Performance-wise, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero runs fluidly at a smooth framerate, no matter how much chaos is happening on screen. The only issues I noticed were during transitions from storyboard to gameplay, where the animations can appear choppy. Unlocking achievements also caused a minor hitch on occasion. None of this affects the overall gameplay, and once you are in the fight, the combat remains a smooth and satisfying series of chaotic moments.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero on Switch 2 offers some unique control options that make it stand out from other versions. You can play with traditional button layouts using the Pro Controller or Joy‑Con, or dive into motion controls for a more immersive experience. With motion mode, you can mimic gestures to launch signature attacks, including Kamehamehas and other energy moves. It feels surprisingly satisfying and really adds a “Dragon Ball” flair to your fights, though you will want enough space to swing your Joy‑Cons safely. For local multiplayer, the game supports single Joy‑Con play per player. This means players can share controllers and jump into matches without needing a full set of Pro Controllers. For my fighters looking into accessibility, I’m pleased to report that there are a lot of options here to make your time with Dragon Ball Sparking Zero more enjoyable. These include options like automatic battle assist, combo assists, and several other assists to make combat more flexible. There’s also left-handed control mode, hints that can be displayed during battle, and the ability to remap controls. It’s great to see a flexible approach to controls in a fighting game, bringing the spectacle to a wider range of fans.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero on Switch 2 is a thrilling entry in the Sparking/Budokai Tenkaichi series. The story is easy to follow for newcomers, while branching objectives and “what if” scenarios give longtime fans plenty of surprises. Combat is fast, fluid, and satisfying, with controls that are accessible for beginners yet deep enough for competitive players. The Switch-exclusive motion controls and flexible Joy-Con options add a unique layer of immersion, and the ability to unlock new characters, outfits, music, and summon powerful fighters with dragon balls keeps you coming back. Overall, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is a must-play for anyone looking for high-energy anime fighting on the Switch 2. Whether you are a newcomer to Dragon Ball like me, or a longtime fan, there is plenty here to enjoy, unlock, and master. Dragon Ball Sparking Zero does an amazing job of bringing the anime to life with an action-packed and polished brawler.

So, What’s it Like? Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is like Dragon Ball Fighters Z… but in 3D!

In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by the publisher, but this doesn’t influence my score.

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