The Best What Ifs In Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

Summary

Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero prioritizes fun over balance, offering solid gameplay inspired by Budokai Tenchaichi.
What If scenarios in the game provide refreshing alternative outcomes, challenging player expectations.
The game reimagines key moments in Dragon Ball, showcasing character development through different story arcs.

After years of anticipation, Dragon Ball fans have finally received a new fighting game that follows the acclaimed formula of Budokai Tenkaichi, a success on the PlayStation 2. Unlike competitive fighting games focused on balance, Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero offers solid gameplay, placing greater emphasis on fun rather than character balance.

One of the greatest highlights of Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero is the What Ifs in story mode, which allow players to explore alternative outcomes for significant events in the franchise. These scenarios show how small changes can radically transform the story, offering new perspectives to players. The best What Ifs in Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero are those that challenge expectations and reimagine the universe that fans know so well.

Warning: This content contains spoilers for Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero.

8 Homecoming

A Simple Yet Cute What If In Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero

Dragon Ball fans know how important the Cell Games arc is for the development of many characters, especially Gohan, who is one of the main protagonists in this part of the story. However, Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero shows the possibility of all these battles ending even sooner.

For this to happen, Goku simply needs to defeat Cell quickly at the first opportunity, before the story follows its canonical path. This narrative will, at the very least, warm players' hearts, as with his father's swift victory, Gohan can return home, leaving Chi-Chi happy to see them both safe, showcasing a beautiful family moment in the game.

7 A Mentor's Guidance

Piccolo Takes The Lead During The Android Saga

The beginning of the Android saga is marked by Goku's heart problems and the arrival of Trunks to warn about the dangerous enemies that would emerge in three years. Right from the first battle against Android 19, players have the choice to help Goku or let him face the consequences alone.

If they choose to intervene, Piccolo takes the lead in this arc. In this What If of Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero, he seeks more power while Goku recovers, making the story delve even deeper into the relationship between Piccolo and Gohan, culminating with the two defeating Cell in the tournament, in an exciting alternative version of the original saga.

6 True Strength

A Small Manga What If For Players

Jiren was one of the most formidable opponents the characters of Dragon Ball ever faced, and was the greatest challenge for Universe 7 to prevail in the Tournament of Power. Therefore, when players are controlling this character, it is possible to simply wait to see what could happen with Kale, opening a new story.

This What If is based on some events from the manga, which were ported into the battles of Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero, where after some time, Master Roshi decides to face Jiren head-on to show Goku that it is possible to dodge his attacks. Although not very complex, the arc showcases a fight that, until then, was only seen in the Dragon Ball manga.

5 Vegeta Unleashed

The Prince Of Saiyans Isn't Brainwashed By Babidi

During the Majin Buu arc, one of the most important parts of the story is when Vegeta accepts Babidi's power to stop caring about people and return to his most powerful form; the end of the story also shows the character's overall development. However, in the latest fighting game in the Dragon Ball universe, players can see a new approach to the story, offering additional content.

In this What If of Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero, Vegeta manages to escape Babidi's spells, defeating not only the wizard but also his henchman, Dabura. Through this victory, Majin Buu never becomes a real threat for the heroes to face. Thus, the story ends with Vegeta finally achieving the long-desired victory in the rematch against Goku, only to discover that his rival didn't use his full power.

4 The Changing Future

Androids Would Have A Different Fate If Goku Defeated Cell Earlier

If, during his training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Goku decided to go into battle without waiting for Vegeta and the others, the results would be very different from what happened in the series canon. In Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero, this What If shows Goku defeating Cell before his perfect form, preventing the tournament and completely changing the course of the story.

Without a common enemy, the androids return to attack Goku. However, in this scenario, Goku defeats all three, including Android 16, but spares their lives upon realizing there is good in them. The ending is unexpected and lighthearted, with the androids deciding they need to go to the mall in search of new clothes.

3 The Strongest Warrior

A Story Focused On Gohan's Fighter Side

For some fans, Gohan has a bit of wasted potential in the Dragon Ball universe, and the character's martial side is not explored as much as it should be. However, this What If of Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero shows how the character would be if he regained his fighting instincts, adding more depth to him and also to the gameplay. This happens during the Resurrection of Frieza arc, where this alternative story can be played out.

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By Tom Bowen

The story unfolds in some new chapters, with Gohan seeking to regain his power, since despite defeating Golden Frieza, he realizes how unprepared he is for battle. This leads to some changes in the Goku Black arc as well, with Gohan playing a fundamental role against many enemies that emerge in this arc, showcasing more of the character's potential.

2 Pushing The Limit

The Frieza Arc Could Be Completely Different

One of the most iconic moments in Goku's saga is the sacrifice that allows Piccolo to defeat Raditz. However, Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero presents a fascinating What If, showing what would happen if the battle ended before both were killed. In this alternative scenario, Goku remains on Earth, triggering a series of unexpected twists.

After witnessing Vegeta defeat most of his friends, Goku awakens the Super Saiyan form much earlier than in the original story, drastically altering events. With Vegeta defeated, Goku decides to go alone to Namek in search of the Dragon Balls. There, he encounters a different Vegeta who, besides having defeated Frieza, has also awakened the Super Saiyan power, leading to a new epic confrontation between the two characters.

1 Inherited Pride

This What If Shows A New Version Of Trunks

If, after the battle against Zamasu, Future Trunks decided to remain in the present, training with Vegeta, Gohan, and Piccolo instead of returning to his original timeline, players get have access to "Inherited Pride." This is one of the most interesting What Ifs of Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero. Here, players can see a bit more of the character's evolution.

The story follows Future Trunks' participation for the Tournament of Power, showing the character's entire development, where he even needs to go against his own beliefs to succeed. For his fans, the story has a strong emotional appeal, and this What If allows them to see the outcome if Trunks decides to follow Vegeta or stay with Gohan and the Androids.

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