Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero earned a generally favorable critical reception. Metacritic listed an 81 Metascore from 74 critic reviews when checked on October 8, 2026. That is a dated snapshot of reviews published around the game’s 2024 release, not a permanent or current verdict on every version.
What is the Metacritic score for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero?
Metacritic’s listing showed an 81 Metascore from 74 critic reviews as of October 8, 2026, placing the game in the aggregator’s “Generally Favorable” category. The score can change as reviews are added or listings are updated, so it should be read with its date and review count rather than as a fixed rating. See Metacritic’s critic review listing.
| # | 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 |
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The score summarizes critics’ assessments; it does not establish whether the game fits a particular player. The reviews largely concern the original 2024 release period, while Bandai Namco’s current game page also lists later platform versions and post-launch content.
What critics praise—and where they disagree
Fast, expressive fighting and strong presentation
Metacritic’s displayed review excerpts repeatedly highlight quick, technically layered combat, vivid presentation, and a large roster. The publisher describes high-speed 3D battles built around rush attacks, beam clashes, and powerful ultimate attacks, with arenas that react to transformations and attacks and can be damaged. Bandai Namco’s game page outlines those features.
#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
One JeuxActu excerpt, dated October 9, 2024 on Metacritic, says: “Enjoyable to get to grips with, with a nice progression curve as well, the gameplay of Sparking Zero has never so well transcribed what we expect from a Dragon Ball game.” Metacritic’s listing attributes the statement to the outlet, but does not identify an individual reviewer.
Balance and story are less consistent
Some listed excerpts flag uneven balance as a possible barrier. Digital Chumps called the game “a wonderful fighting experience” while also noting that “the imbalanced fighting might be tough for some players to overcome to enjoy the experience.” These are outlet comments shown on Metacritic, not a measured consensus about how often players encounter balance problems.
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
Story content drew mixed reactions too. Noisy Pixel praised the game’s appeal to fans but criticized “poorly implemented retreading” in story mode. Other excerpts suggest that familiar events and What If scenarios may not satisfy every player. These examples are a sample of the excerpts displayed on Metacritic, not a statistical analysis of all 74 reviews.
What modes and content are included?
Bandai Namco describes Episode Battle as a story mode covering events through the perspectives of eight characters. Custom Battle allows players to make, play, and share scenarios. The official page also lists online challenges, offline play with friends, and tournament modes. The appeal of those options depends on whether you want a story campaign, a customizable sandbox, or competitive matches.
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.
At launch, Bandai Namco announced 181 playable characters. That is a publisher-reported launch figure, not a current roster count after downloadable content. The current official page describes Super Limit-Breaking NEO as adding playable characters, customization, stages, and a solo mode; check the listing for your chosen platform before assuming a particular add-on or feature is available in that version.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Sparking! Zero worth considering?
The critic reception points most clearly toward players who want fast, showy Dragon Ball battles and a substantial roster. It offers several ways to play beyond its story campaign, but reviewers’ concerns about balance and story repetition are worth weighing if those are your priorities. An 81 Metascore is useful context, not a substitute for matching the game’s modes and combat style to what you enjoy.
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
- Consider it if: you want high-speed arena fighting, a large cast, and tools for building custom scenarios.
- Look closely at the mode details if: you mainly want a fresh retelling of the story or expect every What If scenario to feel substantial.
- Check before buying: the platform and edition, and whether the features or post-launch content you want are included for that version.
Platforms and editions
Bandai Namco’s current game page lists PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 options. Availability and included content can differ by platform and edition, so use the official listing for the version you intend to buy. At launch, the publisher announced physical and digital purchase options and described a collector edition with a diorama, metallic bookmark, SteelBook, and exclusive cards. That historical announcement does not confirm present-day stock or pricing. Read the launch purchase and collector-edition announcement.
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