The Dragon Ball franchise has spawned numerous video games, each offering its own take on the beloved series.Dragon Ball: Sparking ZeroandDragon Ball Z: Kakarotare two standout titles that have captivated fans for different reasons, either their impressive roster or faithful gameplay.
Sparking Zero is known for its dynamic combat and competitive modes, while Kakarot focuses on delivering an immersive, story-driven experience. But which one truly captures the essence of Dragon Ball better? Below, we break down the key aspects of both games, from gameplay to storytelling, to help you decide which title reigns supreme, or at the very least, which one is right for you.
8Graphics - Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
Sharper And More Stylish
When it comes to visuals, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero edges out Kakarot with its sharper graphics and smoother animations. Sparking Zero captures the high-octane action and colorful art style that fans expect from the series, not to mention the manga-like details on some of the special attacks, almost as if the ink was being drained from the page.
Kakarot also offers beautiful graphics, but its more open-world setting sometimes leads to less detailed environments. While it still looks great, Sparking Zero takes the win for delivering consistently stunning visuals, something to be expected since the game came out four years after Kakarot.
7Story - Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Immersive Retelling Of The Z Saga
If you’re looking for a game that immerses you in the story of Dragon Ball Z, Kakarot is the clear winner. It retells the entire Z saga with incredible attention to detail, complete with side quests that expand on the lore and character interactions, and even adds certain filler but endearing moments from the anime.
Sparking Zero, while fun, doesn’t emphasize the story as much. It’s more focused on delivering fast-paced combat, so players looking for deep narrative experiences will find Kakarot more satisfying in this regard, particularly for the few quiet moments between the characters.
6What If Scenarios – Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
Alternate Realities Done Right
Sparking Zero stands out with its creative “What If” scenarios, where players can explore alternate timelines and outcomes that didn’t happen in the main story. These scenarios offer new twists to classic battles, like havingGoku survive against Raditzor Gohan being chosen for Zamasu’s body swap.
Kakarot sticks more closely to the original story, which is great for fans looking for a faithful retelling, but it doesn’t offer the same level of creative divergence as Sparking Zero. And that is all without even mentioning the player-created content, but more on that later.
5Going Beyond The Z Story – Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
More Than Just Z
The story of Dragon Ball goes beyond the events of Z, with important story moments having happened before and after the saga. While Sparking Zero covers a lot of events from Super, what Kakarot includes has greater detail, not to mention story moments from the original Dragon Ball series, and even the moment Goku meets Uub.
Kakarot doesn’t include all Super arcs, however, namely the Goku Black and Tournament of Power arcs.
While fans of the story will certainly enjoy this, it comes with a caveat: most of those extra stories are paid DLC. It is still worthwhile content for those itching for it, but it doesn’t come with the base game of Kakarot, so prepare your wallets if you want the whole package.
4Competitive Modes – Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
A Fighter’s Playground
If you’re into competitive gaming, Sparking Zero is the clear winner, with its multiplayer modes being designed for high-level play, offering both online and local competition. The fast-paced, skill-heavy combat system makes it ideal for players who want to test their abilities against others.
With a large roster of characters and different combat strategies to master, Sparking Zero thrives in its competitive scene. Kakarot, meanwhile, is more of a single-player experience with a focus on exploration and narrative, so if competitive modes are your thing, Sparking Zero delivers the goods.
3Gameplay – Tie
Two Different Flavors Of Fun
Both games offer fantastic gameplay experiences, but they’re very different in how they approach combat. Sparking Zero is a more traditional arena fighter, featuring fast-paced, competitive combat with a wide roster of characters, being perfect for players who love intense, high-skill fights, whether against friends or AI.
On the other hand, Kakarot blends action-RPG elements with its combat, focusing on exploration,leveling up, and character progression. With its combat being focused on the single-player experience, it aims to offer a more immersive experience for those looking to dive deep into the world of Dragon Ball; in the end, it comes down to preference, making this category a tie.
2Creative Modes – Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
More Than Just Battles
Sparking Zero doesn’t just rely on traditional fighting mechanics — it also offers the Custom Battle mode where players can make their own Dragon Ball moments. It isn’t as restrictive or as free as you might expect: You can make scenes with a surprising level of complexity, but the dialogue can only be chosen from a set list of about 5,000 options, which includes hundreds of grunts.
While Kakarot excels in storytelling, it doesn’t offer the same level of creativity in terms of making your own content. For players looking for variety, Sparking Zero provides more ways to engage with the game.
1Winner – Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
But Kakarot Is A Great Story Experience
Overall, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero edges out Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot as the better game, thanks to its superior graphics, competitive modes, and creative gameplay options. It offers more variety for players who love fast-paced combat and imaginative twists in the Dragon Ball universe, while also beingwelcoming for new players.
However, Kakarot is still a worthwhile experience, especially for fans who want to relive the iconic sagas with immersive storytelling and RPG elements. If you’re a fan of the story, Kakarot will satisfy your nostalgia, but for those seeking more action-packed gameplay, Sparking Zero is the ultimate choice.
