Summary
- Local multiplayer may be confirmed for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, delighting fans of the Budokai Tenkaichi series.
- The return of split-screen PvP multiplayer would be a nostalgic throwback for Dragon Ball gaming enthusiasts.
- Despite previous doubts, the latest update to the game's PlayStation Store listing suggests Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero may include local play.
Despite previous rumors to the contrary, it seems that Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero will indeed come with the ever-popular local multiplayer. Fans of the old Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series have been waiting anxiously for Sparking Zero ever since it was first announced at The Game Awards 2023, with their excitement growing with each new leak and character confirmation. Just like the past entries, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero will allow gamers to recreate their favorite Dragon Ball battles with a packed roster of the franchise’s most legendary heroes and villains.
Like with most competitive fighting games of the past, one of the biggest appeals of the Budokai Tenkaichi series was its local split-screen PvP multiplayer, which let friends play against each other from the couch. Online multiplayer didn’t come to the series until 2007’s Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, though most players still preferred the local option. Unfortunately for them, insiders claimed that issues with Sony and Microsoft would prevent Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero from including split-screen multiplayer earlier this year, but that might not be the case after all.
Twitter user and Dragon Ball gaming fan SLOplays noticed that the Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero PlayStation Store page has been updated to describe the game as being for “1-2 players,” whereas it previously only mentioned single-player and online multiplayer. So far, it seems this update only applies to the PlayStation Store; Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s Steam page still lists the game as being single-player and online PvP multiplayer only, while the Microsoft Store still doesn’t have the game listed at all at this present time.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Could Have Split-Screen Multiplayer After All
Of course, the Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Steam page might not have been updated to reflect the game having local multiplayer, but the PlayStation Store’s indication of this popular mode returning could be welcome news for gamers with fond memories of challenging each other in fast-paced duels between iconic rivals like Goku and Vegeta from their couches back in the day. Most anime-based arena fighters typically include split-screen multiplayer, and the rumors that Sparking Zero might have omitted it were met with much disappointment from die-hard fans.
While Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s list of gameplay features and playable characters from across various Dragon Ball media is coming together at a steady pace, the game’s release date remains ever elusive. This might change at the Summer Game Fest later this week, but for now players can at least breathe a sigh of relief that Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero may yet include the local split-screen multiplayer that helped make the Budokai Tenkaichi games some of the most well-regarded titles in the monumental Dragon Ball franchise.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
- Released
- October 11, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO takes the legendary gameplay of the Budokai Tenkaichi series and raises it to whole new levels. Become a super warrior and experience the earth-shaking, limit-breaking power of DRAGON BALL battles!
Unleash the strength of over 180 fighters from DRAGON BALL Z, DRAGON BALL Super, DRAGON BALL GT, and selected DRAGON BALL movies, all in the base game! Each character comes with their own signature abilities, transformations, and techniques.
Make the destructive power of the strongest fighters ever to appear in DRAGON BALL yours!
Engage in heart-pounding, high-speed 3D battles that stay true to the anime and video game series, with breathtaking visuals and authentic combat moves like beam clashes, rush attacks, movements too quick for the eyes to see, and planet-razing ultimate attacks.
Challenge other players online to test your skills, or sit down with friends offline to hone your skills exclusively in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber! Fight your way to become a champion across various tournament modes and victory conditions.
Conquer the action-packed battles from the beloved original story, or discover and unlock new encounters for your favorite Z-Fighters and more. Relive your favorite moments from the series through cutscenes you can experience from the perspectives of eight characters!
Recreate your favorite battles from throughout the DRAGON BALL story, or set up your dream story battle with your favorite characters! Share your creations with other fans and experience the battles brought to life by imaginations around the world.
- Developer(s)
- Spike Chunsoft
- Publisher(s)
- Namco Bandai
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Fighting, Action
