Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Goes Super Saiyan-Heavy With Reveal of First 24 Characters

Bandai Namco has revealed the first 24 characters that will be playable in the upcoming fighting game Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, and we really hope you like Super Saiyans.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is the first title in the long running Budokai Tenkaichi series to be released in well over a decade. According to developer Spike Chunsoft, it’ll feature reactive environments and a large roster of playable characters sporting their own “iconic” transformations, abilities, and techniques.

And, earlier on Monday, Bandai Namco confirmed the identities of the first 24 playable fighters that will take center stage in the upcoming action battle game – each and every one of which is a variant of longtime series rivals Goku and Vegeta. Fans couldn’t be happier.

This rivalry goes way back. Now let’s take it to the next level.

Goku and Vegeta are back in DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO. https://t.co/t0JDdMwU6M #DBSZ pic.twitter.com/SibiqytOID

— Dragon Ball Games (@dragonballgames) January 28, 2024

Damn the game looks awesome and we got a big ass roster of Goku’s. We’re back bros… https://t.co/7yaU8Xghcy pic.twitter.com/olbupJX7B3

— Ramza (@TypeRamza) January 29, 2024

Now THAT is how you do an arena fighter https://t.co/V2NQ9YTnqE

— Volk (@ladolcevolk) January 28, 2024

You know we’re back when 24 characters (so far) out of the whole roster are just Goku and Vegeta https://t.co/ey41fCy83N

— Kab @ Infinite Wealth (@misterkfishy) January 29, 2024

The newly unveiled character variants include offerings of Goku and Vegeta transformations ranging from Super Saiyan 1 to Super Saiyan God, and even the giant form of Great Ape Vegeta, much to the excitement of some fans.

Needless to say, the 24 variants showcased today likely represent a mere tease of what Spike Chunsoft has promised will be “an incredible number of player characters” yet to be revealed. A roster screen featured at the end of the newly released trailer suggests that there could be over 150 fighters and fighter variants in the final lineup, including Android 18, Mr. Satan, Cell, Piccolo, Krillin, and a range of other fan favorites.

THE ROSTER SIZE OH NAH THIS GAME IS GONNA BE GAS https://t.co/gBmRbDRVMA pic.twitter.com/K4HsziLhFU

— ᏖᏠ_ᎶᏒᏗᏁᏰᏝᏬᏋᏕᏦᎩᏕᏂᏒᎥᎥᎥᏁᏋ2012+++ (@TJTheOGDJ) January 28, 2024

GIANT CHARACTERS ARE BACK https://t.co/TWuNpydo8q pic.twitter.com/GAk4PupGTI

— CallMeGekkouga 🏳️‍🌈 @callmegekkouga.bsky.social (@NinjaKouga345) January 28, 2024

Roster size is looking just as ludicrous as the classic BT games
DAY ONE !! https://t.co/T9t7WjLIZ9

— DevilNeverCry (@xDevilNeverCry) January 29, 2024

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is set to be released on PC, PS5, and the Xbox Series X|S consoles, but has yet to be given a release window. While you wait, check out our list of the 10 best Dragon Ball Z characters ever to emerge from the popular anime series, or our coverage of the dizzying array of DBZ video game adaptations released to date.

Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer