Yes. Fans often call it Budokai Tenkaichi 4, but Bandai Namco’s official English title is DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO. The publisher presented it as the continuation of the Budokai Tenkaichi series, whose earlier games used the name Sparking! in Japan. It launched worldwide on October 11, 2024, and later arrived on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
Why fans call it Budokai Tenkaichi 4
Bandai Namco announced DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO at The Game Awards as the first new Budokai Tenkaichi series entry since Budokai Tenkaichi 3, which released for PlayStation 2 in 2007. The publisher described the game as an authentic continuation developed by Spike Chunsoft, the studio behind the earlier titles. Its announcement also explained the naming link: the original Budokai Tenkaichi was titled DRAGON BALL Z: Sparking! in Japan. Bandai Namco’s announcement therefore makes clear why “Tenkaichi 4” became a familiar shorthand, but it is not the game’s official English product name.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO PS5 | $39.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Dragon Ball Sparking Zero - Compatible for PS5 - UK PAL | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, 1 PS5-Blu-ray Disc | $48.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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DRAGON BALL Z: Kakarot - PlayStation 5 | $21.92 | Buy on Amazon |
What kind of game is Sparking! ZERO?
Bandai Namco describes it as a high-speed 3D arena fighter built around anime-style battles. Fighters have character-specific abilities and transformations, while arenas can react to combat and take damage. These are publisher descriptions of the game’s design, rather than an independent assessment of how it plays.
Story and custom battles
Episode Battle is the story-focused single-player mode. Players can follow eight characters through major Dragon Ball battles, with branching “What If” paths that lead to alternate narratives. Custom Battle lets players build and share their own battle scenarios. The publisher also lists tournament modes, online play, and split-screen versus. The official game page provides the publisher’s feature overview.
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- Engage in heart-pounding, high-speed 3D battles that stay true to the anime and video game series
- This game contains breathtaking visuals and authentic combat moves like beam clashes, rush attacks, and movements too quick for the eyes to see
- Step into an arena that reacts to your every action including planet-razing ultimate attacks
- Watch the environment respond with stunning realism, and leave a trail of destruction in your wake as you battle to your heart’s content
Platforms and release dates
The game first launched worldwide on October 11, 2024. The original announcement named PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam. Bandai Namco later announced Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions for November 14, 2025. Its European game page lists PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch, and Switch 2; store availability can differ by region, so check the relevant regional store before buying.
| Platform | Release information |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | Worldwide launch: October 11, 2024 |
| Xbox Series X|S | Worldwide launch: October 11, 2024 |
| PC via Steam | Worldwide launch: October 11, 2024 |
| Nintendo Switch | Announced release: November 14, 2025 |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Announced release: November 14, 2025 |
The Switch announcement specifically advertises local and online multiplayer and Joy-Con motion-control support. Do not assume controls, performance, or feature details are identical across platforms; consult the platform-specific listing. Bandai Namco’s Switch announcement gives details for those versions.
Rank #2
- UK PSN Account Requirement: UK PSN account may be required for any online features
- Legendary Budokai Tenkaichi Gameplay: Experience the iconic gameplay of the Budokai Tenkaichi series elevated to new heights with enhanced mechanics and controls
- Extensive Character Roster: Learn and master an incredible roster of playable characters, each with signature abilities, transformations, and techniques
- Authentic Dragon Ball Combat: Harness the destructive power of the strongest fighters ever to appear in DRAGON BALL with faithful recreations of their abilities
- Regional Compatibility: Physical game disc compatible with PlayStation 5 consoles in UK PAL regions
How many characters are in the game?
Bandai Namco Entertainment America announced 181 playable characters at launch in 2024. In its 2025 Switch-platform announcement, the publisher described the base game as having over 180 fighters, drawing from Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball GT, and selected films. These are two differently worded publisher figures: 181 is the exact launch announcement count, while “over 180” is the later base-game description. Neither establishes the current total after downloadable content.
The 181-character launch figure appeared in Bandai Namco Entertainment America’s 2024 roster announcement; the later base-game wording is in its 2025 Switch announcement.
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Rank #3
- Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero takes the legendary gameplay of the Budokai Tenkaichi series to a whole new level.
- Use the destructive power of the strongest fighters ever competed in Dragon Ball!
- Learn and master an incredible group of playable characters, each with individual skills, transformations and techniques.
Does Sparking! ZERO have split-screen multiplayer?
Yes. Bandai Namco lists split-screen versus among the game’s modes, alongside online play and tournaments. The Switch and Switch 2 announcement separately advertises local and online multiplayer and Joy-Con motion controls. For a specific platform, check its store listing for the controls and multiplayer details that apply to that version.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What editions were announced?
For the October 2024 launch, Bandai Namco listed physical and digital preorder options, including Standard, Deluxe, Premium Collector, and Digital Ultimate editions. Collector bundles included items such as a diorama, metallic bookmark, SteelBook, and exclusive cards, depending on the edition. Contents and availability can vary by region and retailer, so verify the exact package before ordering. The publisher’s preorder announcement describes the launch editions; it does not establish current prices or stock.
Rank #4
- Experience the story of DRAGON BALL Z from epic events to light-hearted side quests, including never-before-seen story moments that answer some burning questions of Dragon Ball lore for the first time
- Play through iconic DRAGON BALL Z battles on a scale unlike any other
- Fight across vast battlefields with destructible environments and experience epic boss battles that will test the limits of your combat abilities
- Increase your power level and rise to the challenge
- Don’t just fi ght as Goku - Live as Goku. Fish, fly, eat, train, and battle your way through the DRAGON BALL Z sagas, making friends and building relationships with a massive cast of DRAGON BALL characters
How successful was the launch?
Bandai Namco Holdings reported more than three million units sold in the first 24 hours after release in its 2025 integrated report. That is a company-reported sales milestone, not an independently audited figure in the available reporting. Bandai Namco Holdings’ 2025 integrated report is the source for the claim.
What Bandai Namco said at announcement
Mike Chang, then VP of Marketing and Digital Business at Bandai Namco Entertainment America, described it as “the DRAGON BALL fighting game players have been waiting for,” and called it a new sequel for a beloved franchise series. That is the executive’s promotional view, not an independent evaluation of the finished game.
Quick Recap
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