The Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero release date conundrum has had fans of the historic franchise channeling their energy towards a 2024 launch date on PS5 and Xbox. Well, the good news is that the new Budokai Tenkaichi game’s Genki Dama is seemingly much closer to completion than has previously been teased. At least, that’s according to the latest rating for the game from Singapore’s rating board.
Back in February, Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero producer Jun Furutani revealed that a “late 2024 or [presumably early] 2025” release date was being considered by the Spike Chunsoft team. While ensuring the fighting game gets a sufficient amount of polish is absolutely crucial, and it’s important to let the devs do their thing, that’s not stopped us from collating the Dragon Balls in the hopes that Shenron can speed the process up a smidge.
Fortunately, our wish has possibly already been granted, as the IMDA rating page for Sparking! Zero has it slated for a 2024 release (good spot, eXputer). Of course, these things can change as launch windows are finalized, but the IMDA has already previously revealed the release year for another Bandai Namco-published game. Back in December, industry insider ‘Kurakasis’ shared that the Unknown9: Awakening launch had been booked in for this year based on the board’s rating – something that was later confirmed in its March 2024 announcement trailer.
While both Sparking Zero and Unknown9 only have PlayStation consoles listed as their platforms, Kurakasis also notes that the IMDA “sometimes doesn’t include Xbox and PC version ratings on their website” – don’t worry, it’s still planned to be a new PS5 game and a new Xbox game.
Considering the sheer amount of marketing Bandai Namco’s putting into Sparking! Zero, I’d be unsurprised if the IMDA’s rating proves accurate. Last week, Bandai Namco sneakily announced that new info will be dropping every month up until launch, with more of the game’s huge roster of characters being revealed seemingly with every update. With this latest rating, we could hear more about the Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero release date at this month’s rumored PlayStation showcase, should it materialize.
So when could we see Sparking! Zero should it be released this year? Well, there’s only one window in my calendar that, to me, makes perfect sense. November marks the 40th anniversary of the late, great Akira Toriyama’s iconic series. As such, there’s no better time to launch what looks to be one of the year’s best games during the celebration.
For more of the latest on the best PS5 games and best Xbox games that are set to drop over the coming months, check out the latest status update on Crimson Desert. While you’re here, be sure to drop us a follow on Google News – there’ll be plenty more Sparking! Zero news as we head towards launch.