Contents

[Instant Transmission Kamehameha]

You can't have Goku without his signature Kamehameha! Among all the moves he used in the Cell Games, this is the one that had me shouting, "is that even possible?!" In the game, Goku first charges up his Ki, then the camera instantly switches to him moving right in front of his opponent and unleashing the blast! The quick zooms and cuts in the camerawork truly make the game version even more dynamic and exciting than what was possible in manga form!

[Big Bang Attack]

The Big Bang Attack is one of Vegeta's signature moves, and its cool name has made it one that fans still remember. The detail that makes it stand out is how Vegeta unleashes it using only one hand, which the game has remained faithful to. There's even a point in the camerawork where it feels like you're looking up at him, and that special touch is exactly what makes this recreation so exciting!

[Super Kamehameha]

This is Gohan's version of the Kamehameha when he's grown up! In the manga, he aimed it at the cocoon that Buu was sealed in, but even without the same lines you can still tell it's a Kamehameha by his hand movements. The game makes sure to add the powerful yells and camerawork that this technique deserves, and even adds a second pushing motion after it's unleashed to make it even more impactful!

[Lightning Sword Slash]

For fans of the manga, you can't have Trunks without his iconic sword attacks! Dragon Ball is a series that centers around battles fought fist-to-fist, so the shock of seeing a sword-wielding character slice Frieza to ribbons during his first appearance is something I'll never forget! Of course, DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO recreated those sword techniques too, with Lightning Sword Slash being a powerful combination of fancy swordsmanship and Ki blasts! Seeing him eviscerate his with both his sword attacks and Ki is sure to hype up any fan of the manga!

[Kamekameha]

[Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack]

As he is created through Goten and Trunks powering up via performing Fusion, Gotenks retains their childish way of naming attacks. They have a lot of unique ones, but this one where they summon ghosts that explode on the opponent is one you just can't leave out! I remember laughing out loud at this ridiculous attack and its equally ridiculous name. The game manages to preserve the uniqueness of this technique through its adorable movements, such as when the ghosts come out to beat up the opponent.

[Pump Up]

Master Roshi is known for his slender figure, but he can take on a more muscular form when the situation calls for it, and that Pump Up move is recreated in this game! Getting to see this form again reminds me just how unique Master Roshi's style is compared to other characters!

[Planet Burst]

Now here's the final boss of the Dragon Ball manga, Kid Buu and his Planet Burst! Since he used it to destroy the Earth without warning during the final battle, it sure is a merciless move that lives up to its name and is one that no reader could ever forget! Just like in the manga, the game shows a flashy animation of him letting out a burst of Ki without hesitation. The power conveyed by the effects even had me muttering "That's scary!" under my breath!

[Special Beam Cannon]

This one is Piccolo's best-known move. That unique stance, plus the spiraling beam make this move one of a kind! The name is so cool it makes you even want to say it out loud. In the manga, it often appeared in important battles, and it's used even more frequently in Dragon Ball Super, which is something the fans of the original manga love. I wondered how they would recreate the cool movements of this technique from start to finish in the game, and all I can say is I was not disappointed. They replicated everything better than I could have imagined! It's perfect!

[Destructo Disc]

Even though Krillin's strength is no match for that of Goku or Vegeta, he still has that one-hit kill skill; the Destructo Disc! The nature of this technique revolves around the idea of "cutting through anything" and is a bit unique in the world of Dragon Ball. It's a move that was often used in the manga as a kind of trump card, since it worked well against opponents stronger than the person wielding the technique. Even in the original manga, you can practically hear the hum from the spinning disc just by looking at the illustration, which has been perfectly recreated in the game!

*The in-game image is from scenes using Chain Destructo Disc, in which Destructo Discs are fired in succession.

[Tri-Beam]

When this move first appeared in the early days of Dragon Ball, this cannon-like technique made readers tremble. The pose is immediately recognizable, much like the Kamehameha, and I remembered all the times I used to try and copy it back in the day. It seems like this posture was further highlighted in the game, which made me extremely happy! I was even saying to myself, "Yep, these guys really get it, huh?"

[Death Ball]

The Death Ball, which Frieza unleashes in his final battle against Goku, is a skill in which he creates a sphere-shaped mass of energy above his head and hurls it towards his opponent. Frieza's stance before launching the Death Ball has such an impact that it's even considered his signature move, which I think is pretty amazing. The game's way of presenting this move was extremely well done, leaving Frieza fans very happy! The reddish-black color makes for an eerie atmosphere, and from the perspective of the character receiving the attack, I'd say "despair" is the perfect word to use.

[Hakai Headshot]

Beerus is an extremely strong character in Dragon Ball Super. The scene where he even sent S-tier Super Saiyan 3 Goku flying with a single flick to the forehead was more than enough to show the strength he possessed. It truly is a move perfect for the start of Dragon Ball Super! In the game, he simply stands upright and says, "You see the difference between us?" with dignity. It's just a flick to the head, a so-called headshot, yet he manages to execute it like it's a special technique. How amazing is that?!

[Sadistic 18]

Many of the techniques in Dragon Ball involve firing an energy blast in some capacity., However, Android 18 is a little different. She kicks her opponent repeatedly to lift them into the air, slams them to the ground, and finally, fires an energy blast with her back to the opponent, making an already cool move look even cooler! In particular, the part where she kicks her opponent while they're already down is perfect, given the name of the technique! Come to think of it, in the manga, there were many scenes where she would look down on her opponents, all while never losing her sense of cool. I thought this move really captured the essence of Android 18!

[Infinity Rush]

Jiren is considered one of the strongest characters in Dragon Ball Super. In the manga, he displayed a variety of techniques, with the most impressive one being Infinity Rush, an extremely powerful move where he rushes towards his opponent and dishes out super high-speed attacks with his fists. The game changes your viewpoint to the opponent receiving the attack, making it feel like you're the one being attacked through the screen. All-in-all, that speediness gives it such a cool feeling! It reminds me of the deadly battle between him and Goku in the original!

[Black Kamehameha]

Goku Black first appeared in the Future Trunks Arc of Dragon Ball Super. Even in the manga, he really was such an evil character. Since he has the same specs as Goku, he can also fire a Kamehameha, but his has a dark purple color to it, making it quite eerie. The light emitted before firing the Kamehameha only adds to that feeling of dread. The in-game animation undoubtedly fits this strong, villain-like aura to a T!

[Time Skip]

When I think of the move Hit uses, I think of Time Skip. I wasn't exactly sure how it would be recreated in the game, but the quality of the skill was so impressive that I found myself moved! The chaotic marble colors covering the entire screen to show the effects of time stopping, and the scene where the glass breaks, representing time returning, is the highest class of cool! I think Hit's prudent style of fighting from the original work was well represented in the game, too!

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DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO's attention to detail is like no other! Not only does it recreate the intensity of the moves from the manga, but when paired with dynamic camerawork that enhances the presentation even further, you can really feel the game creators' love for Dragon Ball! And that's not all! There are over 180 characters you can play as, making this a must for any Dragon Ball fan!

I really do hope everyone will have the chance to experience all the amazing moves in this game!

Author: Yuki Yamadai