Goku has three major branching story paths in DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO: Side by Side, Pushing the Limit, and The Changing Future. The first two depend on your choice about working with Piccolo and how quickly you defeat Raditz; the third depends on a Cell-arc choice and avoiding Cell’s Solar Flare. The exact timing triggers below are reported by walkthrough guides, rather than confirmed in the official sources cited here.
Bandai Namco describes Episode Battle as a mode where players choose one of eight characters and relive key battles in the Dragon Ball saga (official game information). These routes are story alternatives within that mode, not separate editions or add-ons.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO PS5 | $39.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Dragon Ball Sparking Zero - Compatible for PS5 - UK PAL | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, 1 PS5-Blu-ray Disc | $48.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
DRAGON BALL Z: Kakarot - PlayStation 5 | $21.92 | Buy on Amazon |
Goku’s three major routes at a glance
| Route | Decision point | Fight condition | Where it diverges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by Side | Refuse Piccolo’s offer and face Raditz alone | Defeat Raditz before the encounter’s hidden time limit expires | Changes events through the Saiyan and Namek arcs |
| Pushing the Limit | Choose to work with Piccolo | Defeat Raditz quickly in the next fight; a slow victory returns to the standard story | Changes events through the Saiyan and Namek arcs; the listed ending has Goku face Super Saiyan Vegeta |
| The Changing Future | In the Hyperbolic Time Chamber/Cell arc, choose to help the others | Defeat Cell without being hit by Solar Flare | Continues with fights against Androids 18, 17, and 16 |
These conditions and route descriptions come from walkthrough guides. Bandai Namco’s official materials cited here explain Episode Battle but do not verify the specific triggers.
How to unlock Side by Side
- At the early Raditz decision, refuse Piccolo’s offer to help, so Goku faces Raditz alone.
- In the ensuing fight, defeat Raditz before the hidden time limit runs out. One guide describes the timer as invisible; treat “quickly” as the practical requirement rather than relying on a displayed countdown.
Walkthroughs describe the resulting route as carrying the altered story onward through the Saiyan and Namek arcs. The key unlock requirement is the choice followed by the quick Raditz victory.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- 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
How to unlock Pushing the Limit
- At the Raditz decision, choose to work with Piccolo.
- Defeat Raditz quickly in the next fight. According to the guides, taking too long returns Goku to the standard story rather than opening this branch.
This route changes events in the Saiyan and Namek portions of the story. Its listed ending has Goku facing Super Saiyan Vegeta.
How to unlock The Changing Future
- In the Hyperbolic Time Chamber/Cell arc, choose the option to help the others.
- Fight Cell and win without being hit by Solar Flare. The guides say a Solar Flare hit sends the story back to the main timeline.
The branch continues with fights against Androids 18, 17, and 16. The guide-reported condition is specifically to avoid being hit by Cell’s Solar Flare during the fight.
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
Major routes versus smaller story branches
Not every branching choice opens a full alternate route. Twinfinite also lists smaller deviations involving Jeice, Frieza, Cell, Majin Buu, Zamasu, Goku Black, tournament team selection, and Jiren. These reconnect to the main story and are distinct from the three major Goku routes above; a branch point alone does not necessarily mean a separate Sparking Episode.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is confirmed about the route triggers?
The route conditions in this guide are walkthrough-reported details, with the cited guides updated in October 2024. Bandai Namco’s official sources establish the game and Episode Battle mode, but do not confirm the Raditz timing or Solar Flare conditions.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #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.
Bandai Namco announced an update for deployment beginning September 4, 2026, listing version 3022.021.003.012.015 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Its notes mention an Episode Battle trophy-display fix related to Jiren’s episode, but do not state that Goku’s route triggers changed. The available evidence therefore does not establish whether any Goku trigger has been revised.
Quick Recap
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
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
