Dragon Ball Sparking Zero skips Goku’s most important arc

As a die-hard fan who grew up with the original Dragon Ball series, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia as I delve into Sparking Zero. Don’t get me wrong; it’s an absolute thrill to see Goku and friends back in action, especially since Budokai Tenkaichi is back with a vengeance. But like a time-traveling trip to the past without my trusty Time Machine, something seems to be missing.


Extol the virtues of Kame as Dragon Ball’s Sparking Zero has arrived, bringing joy to fans that rivals the exuberance of Majin Buu at a never-ending feast.

As a thrilled fan, I can’t help but echo the widespread praise for Sparking Zero. Even our very own Eleni Thomas, in her review for us, exclaimed, “Budokai Tenkaichi is back and better than ever!” Such enthusiasm has led to an incredible number of pre-orders on PlayStation 5 Black Ops 6, a testament to the anticipation among gamers.

Essentially, this fighting game appears to be the perfect delight for Dragon Ball enthusiasts; however, let me caution you, it’s a bit of a downer – I don’t want to spoil everyone’s enjoyment like Beerus at Bulma’s birthday party. The issue is that Bandai Namco seems to have overlooked one of the most significant story arcs from the anime.

If given the chance, I’d collect those magical orbs called Dragon Balls and make a wish to Shenron, asking him to create new Dragon Ball stories instead.

Dragon Ball always gets forgotten 

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero skips Goku’s most important arc

Indeed, I’m well aware that this concept isn’t particularly contentious, and Sparking Zero does make an attempt to honor the source material with characters like Kid Goku and Master Roshi. However, it consistently overlooks Goku’s early escapades in these games, a trend that I find tiresome.

Honestly, I get why; there are 40 years’ worth of manga, anime, and other supplementary Dragon Ball content at this point, and it’s unreasonable to expect a developer to squeeze it all into one game. 

To put it simply, their absence doesn’t really concern me much because, while it would be enjoyable to see more of Android 21 and the Shadow Dragons, in the grand scheme of things, they don’t significantly impact Goku’s main narrative.

Goku isn’t Goku without Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero skips Goku’s most important arc

However, Dragon Ball stands apart. The initial escapades transformed Goku from a raw yet talented warrior into the martial arts master we’re familiar with. These adventures are vital to his essence, influencing not only his outlook on life but also his dedication to fighting – traits as integral to his character as the Super Saiyan transformation.

I know it’s a bit of an absurd comparison, but it’s a bit like starting a game in the Android Saga and expecting everyone to understand why Goku has the power to scream until his hair goes peroxide blonde. Seriously, though, if you’ve ever been confused as to why Goku is the way he is, go back and check out Dragon Ball; you won’t regret it.  

Dragon Ball holds significance due to being the period when iconic characters such as Krillin, Bulma, Master Roshi, Tien, and yes, even Piccolo, became close friends with Goku.

It’s unfortunate and misleading how often the story arcs of Pilaf, Red Ribbon Army, Demon King Piccolo, and other expanded Dragon Ball characters are overlooked. This oversight contributes to the perpetuation of jokes that human characters in Dragon Ball are less significant than Saiyans.

It’s widely recognized by those who’ve read or watched Dragon Ball that this statement isn’t accurate, yet numerous games overlook this aspect of the protagonist’s background. What exacerbates my annoyance, however, is that these games aspire to have their cake and consume it too.

As a gamer, when Krillin is slain and Goku transforms into Super Saiyan for the first time, they aim to evoke the raw emotion of that moment… yet, they’ve skipped over the crucial moments leading up to his death, leaving me feeling like something significant is missing from the scene.

I understand my argument might seem a bit playful, but those who purchase Sparking Zero will grasp the significance of Krillin’s connection to Goku and why his death holds importance. However, with Dragon Ball Daima approaching and potential continuation of Dragon Ball Super, there’s a risk that we may overlook Akira Toriyama’s early work, which saddens me.

Instead of saying “After all, what’s Dragon Ball without Dragon Ball?”, you could rephrase it as “What makes Dragon Ball special is… well, Dragon Ball itself! So without it, we’re just left with Z, GT, and Super – names that I must admit aren’t particularly captivating. Bandai, for the upcoming Sparking Zero DLC, why not take a trip on the Nimbus and travel back in time, before transformations and power levels came into play? Let’s revisit some classic Dragon Ball fun!

As a fellow enthusiast of Sparking Zero, you’ve landed on the perfect spot! Here, we provide comprehensive guides that dissect every branching path Goku encounters, along with Future Trunks’ routes as well. Our dedicated anime team has also ranked all Dragon Ball Z Sagas and compiled a list showcasing the most formidable villains from this iconic series.

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2024-10-10 17:49