The Ever-Expanding Universe of Sparking Zero
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO successfully reignited the legendary Budokai Tenkaichi series, returning after a 17-year hiatus to massive commercial success. With over five million units sold, the game has captivated a new generation of fighters.
To keep the momentum going, a comprehensive Season Pass was introduced, promising a steady stream of new content. This downloadable content is crucial for extending the game’s lifespan, offering fresh characters and experiences long after the initial launch.
The Sparking Zero Season Pass is structured around four distinct DLC packs, designed to bring a variety of fighters from different corners of the Dragon Ball universe into the arena.
Understanding the Sparking Zero Season Pass
Priced at $34.99, the Season Pass bundles all the planned DLC at a discount compared to individual purchases. For dedicated players, the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions of the game included the pass from the start, also granting a valuable 72-hour early access window for all new character releases.
This early access has become a significant perk for pass holders, allowing them to master new fighters before the general player base. The pass ultimately delivers over 20 new playable characters, expanding an already massive launch roster of over 180 fighters.
DLC Pack 1 – Hero of Justice
The first major content drop, titled the “Hero of Justice Pack,” arrived on January 23, 2025. This pack focused entirely on the critically acclaimed movie Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO, adding 11 powerful characters from the film.
This lineup featured multiple forms for Gohan and Piccolo, culminating in their ultimate transformations: Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo. The pack was rounded out by the android duo Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, and the colossal final boss, Cell Max, offering a diverse range of fighting styles.
DLC Pack 2 – Dragon Ball Daima Character Pack 1
On April 24, 2025, the focus shifted to the new Dragon Ball Daima series. The first character pack introduced eight new fighters, most notably the “mini” versions of Goku and Vegeta, reflecting their appearances in the new anime.
This pack also included a new technique-switching outfit for Goku (Mini) and introduced new villains like Glorio, Panzy, and Majin Kuu. It gave players their first taste of the unique combat scenarios inspired by Daima.
DLC Pack 3 – Dragon Ball Daima Character Pack 2
The second Daima-themed DLC, released on September 24, 2025, continued to expand the roster with six more characters. This pack brought highly anticipated forms like Super Saiyan 4 Goku and Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta from the Daima series.
Accompanying this paid content was a significant free update for all players. This update introduced the “First Demon World” stage, the first new map added since the game’s launch, and implemented a series of balance adjustments to refine the gameplay experience.
Bonus Content – Shallot from Dragon Ball Legends
Bridging the gap between DLC packs, a special bonus character, Shallot, was released on June 26, 2025. As the main protagonist of the popular mobile game Dragon Ball Legends, Shallot’s inclusion was a welcome surprise for the community.
Season Pass owners received their customary 72-hour early access, allowing them to bring the ancient Saiyan’s power into the world of Sparking Zero ahead of everyone else.
What Players Are Saying About the DLC
Fan reception to the Sparking Zero DLC has been largely positive, though not without its criticisms. While the influx of new characters is celebrated, a vocal portion of the community has expressed a strong desire for more variety in other content types.
The addition of the First Demon World stage was met with widespread excitement, highlighting a hunger for more iconic battle locations from the Dragon Ball saga, such as Kami’s Lookout or the original World Tournament Arena. Similarly, players are clamoring for more cosmetic options, with requests for iconic costumes like “Badman” Vegeta frequently appearing in online discussions.
Future Content and What’s Next
The completion of the first Season Pass does not mark the end of new content for Sparking Zero. Bandai Namco has already teased that more information about future characters will be revealed in January 2026.
This long-term support strategy mirrors the publisher’s approach to other Dragon Ball titles like Kakarot and XenoVerse 2, both of which have received new content for years after their release. Fans are already speculating about a potential Season Pass 2, with hopes that it might include more characters from Dragon Ball GT or the original Dragon Ball series.
Is the Sparking Zero Season Pass Worth It?
For die-hard Dragon Ball fans and dedicated Sparking Zero players, the Season Pass offers undeniable value. It provides a substantial roster expansion with over 20 new characters, along with early access, for a reasonable price.
However, for more casual players who are satisfied with the enormous base roster, the value proposition is less clear-cut. The decision ultimately hinges on how much you value having the complete character collection and immediate access to new content as it drops.
Given the promise of future support, investing in the game’s ecosystem early is a compelling choice for many. The ongoing development and community engagement suggest that Sparking Zero will remain a vibrant fighting game for years to come.
