Gaming

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is an absolute blast

Published

October 11, 2024

When I was a lot younger, I really, really wanted to become a Super Saiyan. While I still haven’t completely given up, I’m glad BANDAI NAMCO keeps putting out games where I can live this power fantasy. The latest on the docket is Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero or DBSZ / Sparking as many of the game’s community has started calling out.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is the sequel to the Budokai Tenkaichi series. It’s a 3D Arena fighting game that feels like it’s built specifically for Dragon Ball and its many earth-shaking and heaven-breaking characters.

To get you properly hyped, here’s the opening sequence of the game featuring the opening theme of Dragon Ball Super during the Tournament of Power Arc.

Shake the Earth

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero has a massive roster featuring 182 characters. Even if you take out the transformed characters, you still end up at around 80 which is still a lot.

The game features two primary modes: Episode Battle and Custom Battle.

DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO_20241008210328

In Episode Battle, players will be able to relive some of the epic battles from the anime with 8 different characters available, Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, Jiren, Future Trunks, Goku Black and Frieza. They will all have different lengths with Goku being the biggest with events starting from the Saiyan invasion on Earth, up until the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super.

In Custom Battle, players will not only discover some of the original scenarios created by the development team, but they can also create their own dream scenarios with pre-battle and post-battle cutscenes or specific effects and the characters they want, before sharing it with the world!

Sparking! Episodes

What many of the early marketing releases don’t tell you is that the Episode Battles contain Sparking! Episodes. These are What If scenarios providing you with alternate storylines during key moments of the many arcs of Dragon Ball.

If you start playing through Son Goku’s episodes, you’ll encounter a potential What If scenario immediately right before and during the battle against Raditz. The possible diverging path is marked as broken blue lines on the progress screen.

As I’ve been extremely excited over the game, I’ve really seen plenty of these What If scenarios uploaded online. I personally don’t mind spoilers that much, so I wasn’t too peeved. But I’ve already seen one regarding my favorite character, Gohan, and I can’t wait to play through his Sparking Episodes.

Break the Heavens

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s bread and butter is its relatively simple but extremely flashy combat. The game offers two types of controls to start: Standard and Classic.

Veterans of the Budokai Tenkaichi might opt for Classic controls. Since I’m technically a newbie, I went with the Standard one.

Combos, movement, and super finishes are generally easy to pick-up. However, I still suggest quickly going through the Tutorial Training featuring Gohan, Piccolo, and Goten for a more precise grasp of the controls.

This is especially true if you’re going for the transformation and fusion routes in matches. Transformations and fusions require a certain number of Skill Points before they can be accessed. The skill point meter builds up naturally through battle.

Why not just pick an already transformed character? Well, DBSF is lore accurate. That means it is not concerned with keeping the game balanced unlike most other fighting games. When you start off with an already transformed character, you get fewer health bars vs doing the transformation in-game.

In certain matches, you’re also only limited to 15 Destruction Points for your team. There are point totals assigned to each character. This is where the game applies the balance. By giving higher DPs to stronger characters.

The presentation during battles is where DBSF truly shines. While the controls are the same, each character has their own unique animations. And all of them are fairly faithful to their anime/manga counterparts. Yes, there are certain movesets here that are present in the manga but not in the anime.

Battles are as tense, fast-paced, and bombastic as the anime. If, like yours truly, you spent some of your childhood pitting Dragon Ball action figures against each other, DBSF is the ultimate recreation of that in game form.

Fillers

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Elsewhere in the game you’ll find many interesting things too. For instance, there’s a character gallery screen where you can have main Dragon Ball ladies Bulma, Chi-Chi, and Videl talk about the characters displayed on the screen.

The one featuring Future Gohan was particularly heartwarming while many of the rest are an absolute laugh trip. The game carried over not only Dragon Ball’s action but also its humor.

These are also present in the intro dialogues between the characters right before they battle. Some are hilarious, some heartfelt, while others are just flat out badass.

Another cool thing the game does is have some characters locked to start the game. By playing through the Episode Battles, you gain Zeni and Dragon Balls for three different dragons.

Characters can be unlocked just by completing certain stories. While the rest can be obtained through the store through the generous amounts of Zeni you get or by collecting the many dragon balls and wishing for them.

For Dragon Ball die-hards

Dragon Ball is a beloved franchise and is loved by many. In fact, throughout the game’s early access period, my social feed has been bombarded with content about the game. So, I’m fairly certain those interested are already playing or have already ordered the game.

Even if you’re new to the Budokai Tenkaichi series, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is still a worthy pick-up especially if, like me, you have an irrational attachment to the Dragon Ball franchise.

While it’s not a perfect game, it truly Breaks the Earth and Shatters the Heavens.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Digital Editions

Deluxe Edition

Base Game (Digital download edition)
3 Days Early Access
Season Pass (DLC 1, 2 & 3 featuring over 20 playable characters)
Season Pass Bonus Content (Summon Shenron & Early Access to DLCs

Ultimate Edition

Base Game (Digital download edition)
3 Days Early Access
Season Pass (DLC 1, 2 & 3 featuring over 20 playable characters)
Season Pass Bonus (Summon Shenron & 3-Day Early Access to DLC)
Ultimate Upgrade Pack (Goku (Super) Costume with Power Pole, Emote Voice Set, 2 player card backgrounds, 1 customisation item that increases a character’s fighting ability)
Ultimate Edition Bonus (Summon Super Shenron)

Sound Ultimate Edition

Base Game (Digital download edition)
3 Days Early Access
Season Pass (DLC 1, 2 & 3 featuring over 20 playable characters)
Season Pass Bonus (Summon Shenron & Early Access to DLC)
Ultimate Upgrade Pack (Goku (Super) Costume with Power Pole, Emote Voice Set, 2 player card backgrounds, 1 customisation item that increases a character’s fighting ability)
Ultimate Edition Bonus Content (Summon Super Shenron)
Anime Songs & BGM Pack 1 (11 tracks)
Anime Songs & BGM Pack 2 (11 tracks)

Packaged Edition

Premium Collector’s Edition

Base Game (package edition)
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO exclusive diorama
DRAGON BALL SUPER Card Game Fusion World (Card set exclusive to the DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO Premium Collector’s Edition)
SteelBook®
Metallic Bookmark
Ultimate Upgrade Pack (Goku (Super) Costume with Power Pole, Emote Voice Set, 2 player card backgrounds, 1 customisation item that increases a character’s fighting ability)
Ultimate Edition Bonus (Summon Super Shenron)
Season Pass (DLC 1, 2 & 3 featuring over 20 playable characters)
Season Pass Bonus (Summon Shenron & 3-Day Early Access to DLC)

Pre-order Bonus

Playable characters early unlock
The below six characters will be available for use from the start of the game:
- Gogeta
- Gogeta, Super Saiyan
- Gogeta, Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan
- Broly
- Broly, Super Saiyan
- Broly, Super Saiyan (Full Power)
One playable character

Gaming

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3

With new gameplay, story details

Published

April 29, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco Entertainment have revealed a fresh wave of details for The Blood of Dawnwalker, confirming its release on September 3, 2026.

The upcoming dark fantasy open-world action RPG is headed to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with pre-orders now live across digital storefronts and retail. The announcement came alongside the game’s “Road to Launch” event, which packed in new gameplay footage, story reveals, and system requirements.

Story, gameplay, and a deeper look at Vale Sangora

A new story trailer introduces key characters surrounding protagonist Coen, a Dawnwalker caught between humanity and vampirism. Set in the fictional Vale Sangora in the Carpathian Mountains, the game leans heavily into choice-driven storytelling, where allies, enemies, and outcomes shift depending on player decisions.

Rebel Wolves also showcased over 10 minutes of gameplay captured from a recent PC build. The footage highlights narrative-driven exploration, where uncovering secrets and completing activities can unlock abilities or alter how events unfold. The core idea is simple: every action carries consequences, shaping both the story and the state of the world.

Developers including Piotr Kucharski, Daria Bury-Zawada, Maciej Wiśniewski, and Dorota Rutkowska also broke down key systems and design philosophies in a new dev diary.

Motion capture, editions, and system requirements revealed

A behind-the-scenes segment featured former UFC champion Jan Błachowicz, who contributed motion capture work for Bakir, one of the game’s antagonists. His involvement adds a layer of realism to combat, with a focus on weight and impact in every strike.

Rebel Wolves also detailed multiple editions of the game. Alongside the standard digital version and retail Day One Edition, players can opt for the Eclipse Edition, which includes bonuses like a world compendium, soundtrack, and comic book. A Collector’s Edition will also be available in limited quantities.

Official PC system requirements were likewise shared during the event, giving players a clearer idea of what hardware they’ll need to run the game.

A dark fantasy journey shaped by choice

Set in 14th-century Europe during a time of war and plague, The Blood of Dawnwalker follows Coen’s struggle against Brencis, a powerful vampire lord ruling over Vale Sangora. As a Dawnwalker, Coen walks a fine line between two worlds, gaining unique abilities while dealing with the cost that comes with them.

Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game emphasizes player agency, blending open-world exploration with branching narrative paths. Whether forming alliances or facing off against enemies, every decision feeds back into how the story unfolds.

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo out now on Switch 2 and Xbox

Free demo now live

Published

April 29, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is making its way to more players, and you can jump in right now.

Square Enix has released a free playable demo for the acclaimed RPG on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC. Better yet, your progress carries over to the full game when it launches on June 3, 2026.

The demo includes Chapters 1 and 2, giving players a substantial slice of the experience right from the start.

A look at the opening chapters

Chapter 1 revisits one of the most pivotal moments in the story — the Nibelheim incident. You take control of a younger Cloud alongside Sephiroth as they investigate a mysterious outbreak of monsters. It’s a story beat longtime fans will recognize, but still hits hard with its modern presentation.

Chapter 2 opens things up. Cloud and the crew step into the Grasslands, where the game starts to flex its scale. Expect a mix of combat encounters, exploration, side activities, and even the in-game card battler Queen’s Blood.

Combat blends real-time action with command-based strategy, now enhanced with Synergy Abilities. The demo also introduces “Streamlined Progression” options like unlimited HP/MP and faster ability unlocks, letting players focus more on the story if they choose.

Pre-orders and physical bonuses

Pre-orders are now open across platforms, with a 20% discount available until June 10, 2026.

Digital editions come with in-game bonuses like Summoning Materia, armor sets, and accessories. Meanwhile, early buyers of the Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition get a little extra — a collectible Magic: The Gathering–Final Fantasy Zack Fair card featuring variant art by Tetsuya Nomura, available while supplies last.

Preparing for the final chapter

Set beyond Midgar, Rebirth follows Cloud and his allies — including Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII — as they pursue Sephiroth across a wider world. New companions like Yuffie and Cait Sith join the journey, adding more personality and dynamics to the party.

Already released on PlayStation 5 and PC, the game has racked up over 125 perfect review scores and more than 40 Game of the Year awards. With its arrival on Switch 2 and Xbox, the remake trilogy is now nearly fully playable across modern platforms.

That puts more players in position for what’s next: the third and final installment, which is currently in development.

Gaming

Level Infinite launches Gangstar Mirage City exclusively in PH

A blend of high-speed street racing, exploration, more

Published

April 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

Level Infinite has launched a brand new mobile title exclusively available in the Philippines: Gangstar Mirage City.

Players can enjoy a blend of freedom, action, and dynamic gameplay in the free-to-play multiplayer open-world mobile game.

It is set in a near-future metropolis of Rooklyn, where thrilling action, player choice, and unpredictable moments collide.

Mirage City is the latest chapter in Gameloft’s renowned Gangstar franchise, with more than 250 million registered users.

It brings an expansive open-world gameplay to mobile, powered by high-fidelity graphics and detailed environments tailored for mobile play.

At its core, Mirage City is about freedom. As such, players can alternate between story-driven content and free-form exploration. They can navigate the city, build an empire, and define a personal journey.

There’s high-speed street racing, explosive encounters, and dynamic city events. Moreover, there is deep customization across vehicles, properties, and lifestyle, plus a wide range of activities in-game.

Being a Philippines-exclusive, title, the open-world RPG supports Tagalog text as well to bring the experience closer to its audience.

For now, the game is available for download via Google Play for Android devices.