Publisher Bandai Namco and developer Spike Chunsoft have added full split-screen support and more to Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO in a free update.

The new update has added split-screen support across the entire game, while originally it was only available in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber map. Other balancing tweaks and changes were made in the update.

Here’s a rundown on the update, plus a new trailer:

Game Mode Adjustments

• Battle 
  • All stages can now be selected in offline P1 vs. P2 battles.

Functionality Adjustments

• Battle Setup 
  • A function allowing you to change a character’s display method has been added. 
  • The “My Sets” function has been added for Team Members. 
• Ranked Match / Player Match 
  • You can now skip the intro battle animations (requires both players to input the skip command). 
• Player Match 
  • You can now set your team to “hidden” or “revealed” to your opponent when editing your team. 
• Custom Battle Mode 
  • Texts can now be sorted alphabetically. 
• Options 
  • You can now set the battle camera distance to be closer.

Battle System Adjustments

• High-Speed Dragon Dash (New Action) 
  • The new quick movement action, “High-Speed Dragon Dash”, where you can move quickly towards your opponent, has been added. Perform with R2 and holding X (PS5) or RT and holding A (XSX|S). 
• Smash Attack 
  • You will no longer be stunned when hit by a Rush Ki Blast when charging a Smash Attack. 
  • When charging a Smash Attack during a Rush Attack, charge time reduction based on hit count has been increased. 
• Rush Ki Blast 
  • The time between being able to fire the next Rush Ki Blast after firing the maximum consecutive amount at once (different for each character) has been increased. 
• Rush Ki Blast Deflection 
  • You can now move while deflecting Rush Ki Blasts. 
• Steps 
  • You will now no longer be able to be hit by certain attacks immediately after performing a Step. 
  • Rush Ki Blast and Smash Ki Blast can now also be evaded. 
• Z-Burst Dash 
  • The amount of Ki consumed when activating it has increased. 
• Burst Smash 
  • Ki will no longer be consumed when activating it, and will instead consume an amount based on the distance traveled. 
• Blast 
  • Damage has been increased when using a boost. 
• Z-Search 
  • Z-Search will no longer lose track of your opponent when characters are swapped. 
  • You will now quickly regain sight of your opponent if they enter your line of sight from the front when Z-Search is not locked onto them. 
• Z-Counter 
  • The input window has been shortened. 
  • Z-Counter will become more difficult to perform if performed consecutively. 
  • Ki consumed has been increased when successfully performing a Z-Counter. 
  • Skill Count increase speed has been reduced when successfully performing a Z-Counter. 
• Revenge Counter 
  • Skill Count consumed when using Perception against Revenge Counter has been reduced from 2 to 1. 
• Rush Attacks during Sparking! Mode 
  • Gradual damage reduction of consecutive hits has been increased. 
• Combos 
  • The final attack of Aerial Combos and Aerial Slash Combos will no longer be interrupted by guarding. 
• Character Switch 
  • Health recovery rate of Standby characters has been reduced. 
• Z-Burst Dash (Giant Characters) 
  • The tackle done by Giant characters during Z-Burst Dashes is now guardable.

Skill Adjustments

• Skills that cause instant Sparking! Mode 
  • Skill Count consumed has been increased. 
• Skills that increase stats in general 
  • Skill Count consumed has been decreased. 
• Afterimage Strike 
  • Effect duration has been reduced to 10 seconds, and will be removed if your opponent uses Perception while you are under the effect. 
• False Courage 
  • Skill Count consumed has been increased from 1 to 2. 
• Technique: All I Need Is Five Seconds! 
  • Skill Count consumed has been increased from 3 to 2 and status increase upon activation has been increased. 
• Stardust Barrier 
  • You can now activate it while receiving melee attacks from the front.

Blast Adjustments

• Long-Range Blasts and Ultimate Blasts 
  • Speed has been reduced. 
• Super Vegito: Final Kamehameha 
  • Ki consumed and damage has been increased. 
• Goku (Mini): Quick Rush 
  • Trajectory can now be changed while Rushing. 
• Mr. Satan: Present Bomb 
  • Increased ending lag after activation.

Character Adjustments

• Android 19/ Dr. Gero 
  • Health/Ki amount absorbed on successful throw has been adjusted. 
  • Dragon Dash, Quick Ascend, and Quick Descend now consume Ki. 
• Cell 2nd Form 
  • You can now escape the throw. 
• Cooler 
  • Amount of Health restored upon transforming has been increased. 
• Giant Characters 
  • Increased the time it takes to charge a Smash Attack and reduced its power. 
• Great Ape Vegeta / Dr. Wheelo 
  • Maximum health has been reduced. 
• Other 
  • We have improved performance and ease of use. 

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO has been available since October 2024 across Windows PC (via Steam), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.