Key Highlights
- The first major DLC for the latest Dragon Ball game is the Hero of Justice Pack, themed around the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie.
- This pack introduces several new playable character options, headlined by fan-favorites Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo.
- Future DLC packs will expand the roster further with characters from Dragon Ball Daima and Bandai Namco has confirmed Shallot from Dragon Ball Legends.
- While the new fighters are a huge win for fans, the DLC lacks new stages or significant customization options.
- A free update released alongside the DLC adds a much-requested “Quick Match” feature, improving the online experience.
Introduction
The release of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero was a monumental event for fans, reigniting the flame of the beloved Budokai Tenkaichi series. Bandai Namco delivered an experience that felt true to the anime, with massive destructible environments and a colossal roster. Now, the first wave of DLC has arrived, posing a familiar question for any modern game: does it meaningfully expand the experience or just add a little extra content? Let’s find out if this new content is a game-changer.
Exploring Sparking! Zero’s DLC—What’s New for Dragon Ball Fans?
The Zero Season Pass is your ticket to a host of new content, promising to keep the game fresh for months to come. Bandai Namco is pulling from the latest and greatest in the franchise, with the first of the DLC packs focusing entirely on the blockbuster Super Hero movie. This means you get access to some of the most recent and powerful character transformations we’ve seen on screen.
Beyond the initial pack, the roadmap includes characters from the upcoming Dragon Ball Daima series and even a special appearance from Shallot of Dragon Ball Legends fame. These additions are set to significantly bolster the already massive roster. So, what exactly do you get when you dive into this new content? The following sections will break down the new fighters and gameplay features in detail.
Major Additions and Playable Characters in the DLC
The main event of the first DLC drop is the Hero of Justice Pack, which is a dream come true for anyone who loved the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie. The pack is loaded with new fighters, bringing some of the film’s most exciting moments directly into the game. The headliners are, without a doubt, the powerful new forms for two classic heroes. You can finally unleash the raw, untamed power of Gohan Beast and the stoic, overwhelming strength of Orange Piccolo. These aren’t just skins; they are fully realized characters with unique movesets that make them feel distinct and incredibly powerful.
But Gohan and Piccolo aren’t the only new faces. The pack rounds out its roster with the charming android duo, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, as well as the monstrous final boss, Cell Max. This gives you a complete set of fighters to recreate the movie’s epic battles. The new additions include:
- Gohan (Super Hero) and his transformations, including Ultimate Gohan and Gohan Beast
- Piccolo (Super Hero) and his Power Awakening form, Orange Piccolo
- Gamma 1 and Gamma 2
- Cell Max (Giant Form)
Looking ahead, the Season Pass promises even more. Bandai Namco has confirmed that future packs will introduce characters from Dragon Ball Daima, including mini versions of Goku and Vegeta, along with new faces like Glorio and Panzy. A separate release will also add Shallot from the popular mobile game Dragon Ball Legends, ensuring every playable character feels like a meaningful addition to the world of Dragon Ball.
Gameplay Enhancements and Fresh Features
The new DLC isn’t just about adding names to the character select screen; it introduces fresh features and enhances the core gameplay. The new characters feel unique and fully realized. Gohan Beast, for example, feels just as ridiculously overpowered as he does in the movie, making him an absolute joy to play. Similarly, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 bring a stylish and charming fighting style that stands out from the other android characters on the roster. These additions inject new strategies and matchups into the game’s combat.
One of the most notable new mechanics comes with Orange Piccolo’s Giant Form. While giant characters have been in past games, this version feels more unique and dynamic, allowing you to dominate the battlefield in a completely new way. However, the most significant gameplay improvement isn’t part of the paid DLC at all. A free update released alongside the pack introduced a “Quick Match” option for online play. This simple addition is a massive quality-of-life improvement, fixing one of the biggest frustrations with finding casual matches online.
For players who invested in the premium versions of the game, the value proposition is even better. Some of the key enhancements and features include:
- Unique movesets for all new characters that feel true to their anime counterparts.
- The addition of Orange Piccolo’s Giant Form, offering a new way to play.
- A free “Quick Match” update that streamlines the online experience for everyone.
- Early access to DLC for owners of the Deluxe Edition or Ultimate Edition, letting you play with the new fighters before anyone else.
Impact of Sparking! Zero DLC on the Overall Game Experience
Adding a new character pack to a fighting game always has ripple effects, and the Sparking! Zero DLC is no exception. The introduction of incredibly powerful fighters like Gohan Beast fundamentally changes the landscape of online play. Suddenly, there are new top-tier threats to contend with and new strategies to learn. It feels like a fresh meta is developing, which can be exciting for dedicated players.
For more casual fans, the DLC’s biggest impact is simply providing a fantastic reason to jump back into the game. After spending dozens of hours unlocking characters and earning Zeni, having a new set of fighters, especially ones with new Super Saiyan-level forms, breathes new life into the experience. It makes you want to fall in love with the game all over again. What specific parts of the game does this new content change? Let’s explore that next.
Does the DLC Change Combat, Story Modes, or Online Play?
The primary focus of this latest DLC is to expand the roster, which directly impacts combat and online play. The new characters introduce fresh fighting styles, from the overwhelming power of Gohan Beast to the tag-team potential of the Gammas. This forces players to adapt their strategies, whether they’re using the new characters or fighting against them. The online meta has been noticeably shaken up, with players experimenting with new team compositions and counters.
However, it’s important to note that the DLC does not add any new story mode content. The Episode Battle and Custom Battle modes remain unchanged, though you can, of course, use the new characters in offline versus modes and tournaments. The biggest change outside of the characters themselves is the improvement to the online infrastructure thanks to the free update’s Quick Match feature. For those with the season pass bonus, getting early access means you get a head start on mastering these new fighters.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the changes:
|
Game Aspect |
Pre-DLC Experience |
Post-DLC Experience |
|---|---|---|
|
Combat |
A vast but established meta based on the launch roster. |
New matchups and strategies are introduced with characters like Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo, shaking up the power dynamics. |
|
Story Mode |
Follows the classic Dragon Ball Z sagas in Episode Battles. |
No new story content or missions have been added. The experience remains the same. |
|
Online Play |
Finding casual matches involved sifting through player-created rooms, which could be slow and lead to disconnects. |
The “Quick Match” feature makes finding a game fast and easy. The new characters create a fresh and evolving competitive scene. |
Fan Reception and Community Feedback on Updates
The fan reception to the first wave of DLC has been a mixed but generally positive bag. The overwhelming sentiment from the community is excitement over the new characters. Seeing Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo realized so perfectly in the game’s engine has been a massive win, and players are thrilled to finally use these fan-favorite forms. The community feedback has praised how unique and fun the new fighters are, especially the charming animations and movesets for Gamma 1 and 2.
However, the DLC is not without its critics. A significant portion of the player base has expressed disappointment over the price, feeling that $17.99 is steep for a pack that only includes characters. This feeling is compounded by the lack of other new content, such as additional stages or customization options, which the base game is admittedly light on. These are some of the common points of discussion:
- Praise for the faithful and powerful designs of the new characters.
- Excitement for future content, including the mini versions of heroes and new characters like Glorio and Panzy from Daima.
- Criticism of the high price point for the character pack alone.
- Disappointment that no new stages or costumes (besides one for Piccolo) were included.
Despite the grumblings about price, the frequent updates and developer responses have been a bright spot. The addition of the Quick Match feature shows that the developers are listening to feedback and are committed to improving the game over the long term. This has left many fans optimistic about the future of Sparking! Zero, even if they have reservations about the current DLC model.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Sparking! Zero DLC introduces an exciting array of features that significantly enhance the gameplay experience for Dragon Ball fans. With fresh playable characters, gameplay enhancements, and community-driven feedback, it’s clear that this DLC is designed to keep players engaged and entertained. Whether you’re diving into new combat challenges or exploring the revamped story modes, the updates breathe new life into the game. If you haven’t yet experienced the changes, now is the perfect time to jump back in and see how the Sparking! Zero DLC transforms your adventure. Happy gaming!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which characters are included in Sparking! Zero’s first DLC pack?
The first DLC pack, titled the Hero of Justice Pack, is themed around the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie. This Bandai pack adds several new playable character options, including Gohan (Beast), Piccolo (Orange), Gamma 1, Gamma 2, and the giant fighter Cell Max, allowing you to recreate the film’s climactic battle.
Is the Shallot DLC free or paid in Sparking! Zero?
The Shallot character from Dragon Ball Legends is not a free addition or unlockable with Zeni. He is part of the paid content included in the Season Pass. Owners of the pass will gain early access to him, while other players will likely need to purchase him as part of future DLC packs.
How does the Sparking! Zero DLC compare to past Dragon Ball games?
Compared to past games, the latest DLC for Sparking! Zero follows a modern release model. It focuses on adding characters from recent media like the Super Hero movie and the upcoming Dragon Ball Daima anime, offered through a Season Pass or premium versions like the Deluxe Edition, which is a common practice for current-generation fighting games.
