Summary
While someDragon Ballfans may lean towards the modern re-releases ofDragon Ball FighterZorDragon Ball Xenoverse 2, all eyes are on the upcomingDragon Ball: Sparking Zero. This title is the next installment in theDragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichilineage, having switched to the Japanese “Sparking” subtitle.Dragon Ballfans active during the PS2 era hold the originalBudokai Tenkaichitrilogy in high regard, as it offered both a compellingDragon Ballbattle simulator and one of the most thorough playable rosters in the franchise. The hope now is thatDragon Ball: Sparking Zerowill update both of these aspects for a new generation of players.
At the moment, details forDragon Ball: Sparking Zeroare still slowly trickling out. Emphasis has been placed on the game’s environmental destruction, which looks good alongside the beautifully cell-shaded characters.Sparking Zero’s roster was implied to be 164 fighters at launch, with individual forms filling character slots like in pastBudokai Tenkaichititles. That means plenty of transformations are included alongside characters from at leastDragon Ball ZandDragon Ball Super’s anime runs, with more likely on the way. It’s a strong-sounding roster, but a particular kind of transformation has been worryingly absent.
Fusions Are A Rare, But Important Part Of Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ballhas built up an impressive number of different ways characters can transform, ranging from the traditional stage-based Super Saiyans to unique power-ups like the Namekians’ giant forms. WithGreat Ape Vegeta already confirmed forSparking Zero’s roster, it seems this level of variety should be present in the new game as expected. The freedom to shift between different forms was aBudokai Tenkaichitrademark, giving players the option to gradually power up throughout fights or start as a weaker version of a later form.
Then, there are fusions. Performed through various means, like the Potara Earrings, the Fusion Dance, or special methods like Namekian merging or Buu’s absorption,Dragon Ballhas so many fusionsthat they even have their own transformations. Some examples ofDragon Ball’s canon fusions include:
ExtendedDragon Ballmedia introduces new ones as jokes or hypotheticals all the time, andDragon Ball Fusionsfor the 3DS was even based around the concept.Budokai Tenkaichipushed fusions to even greater heights, but it’s up in the air whetherSparking Zerowill follow suit.
Recent Dragon Ball Games Haven’t Given Fusions Much Love
OlderDragon Balltitles featured fusions sporadically, typically as distinct characters and sometimes requiring special skills or items.Budokai Tenkaichi 2made big waves when it added teams to its fighting system, allowing players to fuse certain duos into their merged selves. This was all in service of providing the bestDragon Ballsimulation possible, and it became a standard feature for therest of theTenkaichiandRaging Blastgames. Unfortunately, 2011’sDragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichiwas the last appearance of this fusion mechanic, and few games since then have done anything like it.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Is Following A Decade Without Mid-Battle Fusions
TheDragon Ball FusionsRPG was based around this concept, andDragon Ball Z: Kakaroteventually patched in unlockable skills to fuse into Gotenks and Vegito, but that was it. Increased emphasis on co-op multiplayer, custom characters in games likeDragon Ball Xenoverse, and other mechanical shake-ups left dynamic fusions without a home.Dragon Ball: Sparking Zerohasn’t shown any fused fighters yet, but is expected to useiconic techniques from the anime just likeBudokai Tenkaichi, and mid-battle fusion is one.Dragon Ball: Sparking Zerowill hopefully bring fusion mechanics back toDBZ’s fighting games after their long hiatus.
