Among the many exciting projects in the world of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is creating a buzz. As the next installment in the popular Budokai Tenkaichi 3D fighting game series, Sparking Zero aims to continue the tradition of delivering authentic Dragon Ball battles. By uniting characters from the entire franchise, Sparking Zero promises to immerse players in the high-energy martial arts and powerful ki blasts that define Dragon Ball, all presented with impressive cell-shaded graphics and destructible environments. With the recent loss of Akira Toriyama, the legendary creator of the Dragon Ball manga, Sparking Zero has the potential to be a fitting tribute to his legacy.
Currently, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero has unveiled 40 characters and forms from its extensive roster. The game is expected to feature 164 slots at launch, hinting at even more beloved Dragon Ball characters being included. Reports suggest that the initial focus will be on characters from Dragon Ball Super, extending possibly to content from the Super movies, making it essential for Beast Gohan and Orange Piccolo to make their debut in Sparking Zero.
The Significance of Beast Gohan and Orange Piccolo in the Modern Dragon Ball Universe
The introduction of Beast Gohan and Orange Piccolo occurred in the recent 2022 film, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. These new transformations marked the first significant power-ups for Gohan and Piccolo within the canonical Dragon Ball storyline since the days of Dragon Ball Z. Not only did these transformations elevate the characters' power levels, but they also rejuvenated their relevance, paving the way for potential new storylines involving these iconic figures. Given fans' concerns about the neglect of certain Z Warriors post-Tournament of Power, these fresh forms offer a promising path to keep these characters in the spotlight.
Addressing the Long-Standing Need for New Forms in Dragon Ball's Supporting Cast
Aside from the power boost, the transformations of Gohan and Piccolo also brought about significant visual redesigns, a welcome change for characters who had remained relatively stagnant in appearance. Piccolo, in particular, had been limited to fusion and giant forms, while Gohan's previous transformations lacked the visual flair of his Saiyan counterparts. The arrival of these new forms not only adds depth to their abilities but also enhances the overall aesthetic appeal, aligning them with iconic transformations like Goku's Ultra Instinct and Vegeta's Ultra Ego.
The Importance of Introducing New Forms in Dragon Ball Games like Sparking Zero
Although Beast Gohan and Orange Piccolo are relatively recent additions to the Dragon Ball universe, game adaptations have swiftly embraced these fresh incarnations. Titles like Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 have incorporated these forms through DLC, signaling a shift towards updating the character roster. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is expected to follow suit by including these transformations in its base lineup, addressing the longstanding gap in new forms for Gohan and Piccolo across various Dragon Ball games. The return of Budokai Tenkaichi presents a perfect opportunity to showcase these revitalized characters in the gaming world.
Embracing Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Content in Sparking Zero's Launch
Even if the focus remains on characters from Dragon Ball Super, there is ample room to introduce Beast Gohan and Orange Piccolo in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero alongside villains from the Super Hero movie like Gamma 1, Gamma 2, and Cell Max. The inclusion of canonized characters like Broly from Dragon Ball Super in prior games sets a precedent for incorporating newer content. With the release date of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero still pending, there is a window of opportunity to integrate these exciting additions into the game's initial release.