Sparking Zero Unveils Latest Update for January 2025

The newest update for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero has just launched, bringing with it a fresh limited-time game mode, numerous combat adjustments, battle improvements, and balancing tweaks. This update is now accessible to all players on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.

Released on October 11, 2024, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero quickly became a success for the Japanese developer Spike Chunsoft, selling an impressive three million copies on the first day. This success positioned the Bandai Namco-published sequel to 2007’s Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 as the top-selling Dragon Ball game ever in the US. Despite its success, the game received criticism concerning balance, particularly in multiplayer modes, a concern the latest update aims to address among other changes.

With the update, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero introduces a new, limited-time mode called Legendary Warrior Face-Off. Here, players can challenge themselves against a "remarkably powerful character." Additionally, several modifications were made to game modes. Custom Battle now allows for more customizable effects, scenarios, and text. Players who quit matches will face a delay before rejoining online games, and Quick Match has been updated to streamline matchmaking. In Battle Setup, players now have a quick overview of controls during character selection. A "Guarding After Attacks" option has been integrated into Training mode against CPU opponents, and players can now adjust difficulty settings in Episode Battle regardless of using a Dragon Orb.

The update also delivers numerous balance changes to Sparking Zero’s combat. For instance, techniques such as High-Speed Evasion, Perception, Super Perception, and Super Counter are now more challenging to execute. Conversely, Rush Attack, Grand Slash, and Chase Change have been enhanced. Additionally, Wild Sense has been nerfed, and the general usability of Automatic Avoidance Skills has been reduced. The Skill Count consumption for abilities like Kaioken and Ta-dah has been decreased as well.

Although Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero had an incredibly successful launch, its player base has dwindled over time due to various in-game exploits and balance issues. However, updates like this one are designed to fix these problems and enhance the overall player experience. Following these recent adjustments, fans are eagerly anticipating the game’s first DLC, set to release on January 23.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Version 2008.007.003.005.004 Patch Notes

Game Mode Adjustments

Legendary Warrior Face-Off (New): A novel mode available for a short time, letting players face-off against an extraordinarily strong opponent. (Only accessible during the special period.)

Game Mode Adjustments

Episode Battle: Players can now alter the difficulty setting even when using a Dragon Orb.
Custom Battle: Expanded choices for effects, scenarios, and text modifications.
Player Match:

• Quick Match has been revised to immediately pair you with an opponent rather than entering a room.
• Introduced "Quick Room Search" for Quick Match.

Ranked Match: A cooldown period before beginning a match as a disconnection penalty.
Battle Setup: Controls are now visible when choosing characters.
Training: Added "Guarding After Attacks" option against CPU.

Battle System Adjustments

Charge Attacks (Smash Attack or Rush Chain): No more recoiling during charging when hit by Rush Attack or Rush Ki Blast in Sparking! Mode.
Rush Attack: Reduced chances of accidental Smash Attack input.
Grand Slash: Consecutive Grand Slashes on a falling opponent now cause spinning blow-away.
Rush Ki Blast: High-Speed Evasion not performable if hit.
Smash Ki Blast: More vulnerable when firing while moving.
Perception/Super Perception:

• Now consumes Ki upon activation.
• Increased delay before subsequent actions.

Super Counter: Increased delay before possible input post-failure.
Speed Impact: Delayed timing for reactivation post-move.
Chase Change: Reduced damage from Giant Characters during Change.
Impact Recovery: Triggers on ground impact from Lift Strike and spinning blows if button is held down.

Skill Adjustments

Overall Automatic Avoidance Skills (e.g., Wild Sense): Now unusable by opponents continuing combos with a Rush-In.
Wild Sense: Attack damage reduced.
Kaioken: Decreased Skill Count consumption (for Goku Z – Early only).
Ta-dah!: Reduced Skill Count usage.
All I Need Is Five Seconds!: Full Ki restoration.

Other

Enhanced user-friendliness and stability have been incorporated.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero continues to evolve, offering both nostalgia and fresh excitement for fans. With more updates and new content on the horizon, the game looks set to maintain its vibrant community for both newcomers and veterans alike.