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TheDragon Ballseries’ popularity is nothing short of massive, whether it’s films, TV, anime, or in this case, gaming. The latest upcoming entry in the belovedTenkaichiseries of arena fighting games,Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, has fans on the edge of their seats.
With the inclusion of updates from Dragon Ball Super, as well as a roster focussed heavily on Goku and Vegeta, the game looks to be lined up for success. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, as there’s an integral feature of the series that is still unconfirmed forSparking Zero, and could make a huge difference to its reception.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero May Have the Biggest Roster of Any Fighting Game Ever
Couch Co-op MIA?
TheTenkaichiseries has traditionally thrivedon its robust local multiplayer experience. Players have relished the opportunity to face off against each other as their favoriteDragon Ballcharacters in enormous and empty 3D environments, making for tense, and sometimes, hilarious moments through split-screen battles in the same room.
This core feature, however, seems to be absent fromSparking Zero‘s online store listings, raising concerns for fans who cherish the series’ local multiplayer roots. While online multiplayer has undoubtedly become a dominant force in modern gaming, thepotential exclusion of split-screenin the nextDragon Ballarena fighter signifies a concerning trend.
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Several notable titles in recent years, likeCall of Duty: MW3 Zombies,Halo Infinite (campaign), andHalo 5, have faced heavy criticism for abandoning local multiplayer features that were integral for those franchises.
This shift away from split-screen gameplay raises concerns about the future of local co-op gaming, particularly for franchises likeDragon Ball, where the over-the-top action can be incredibly entertaining next to someone else.
TheTenkaichiseries, in particular, uniquely benefited from split-screen functionality. The dynamic camera angles and expansive battlefields were best experienced alongside another player, fostering a distinct and engaging local multiplayer experience.
The absence of this feature inSparking Zerocould potentially alienate a significant portion of the fanbase who hold these shared memories dear.
There’s Still Hope For Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
Even though developer Spike Chunsoft’s silence isn’t encouraging, it’s crucial to acknowledge thatDragon Ball: Sparking Zerois still in its early stages. While the current listings only mention online multiplayer, there’s still a chance for split-screen functionality to be included before launch.
Recent successes likeBaldur’s Gate 3, Gran Turismo 7, It Takes Two,andMortal Kombat 1demonstrate that there’s still a strong demand for local co-op experiences in the gaming landscape. The continued vocalization of fan concerns could potentially influence the developers to reconsider their approach. With anew trailer around the corner, local multiplayer forSparking Zerocould be on the verge of being announced.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero May Be on the Horizon, but Bandai Namco Have Just Dropped Some Incredible Content for Another Dragon Ball Game
Ultimately, the game’s reception will hinge on the decision to include or exclude split-screen. Online multiplayer offers the ability to play with anyone across the world, but neglecting the established local co-op tradition of the Tenkaichi series would definitely leave a sense of incompleteness and disappointment among its passionate fanbase.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zerois currently in development, and is yet to be assigned a release date.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Content Writer
Articles Published :247
A lifelong gamer, lover of cars, and Master’s student of Automotive Journalism, Viraaj Bhatnagar is a gaming writer at FandomWire who aims to be one of the greats. When he’s not hunched over on his laptop typing out copy, he can be found lapping circuits in Gran Turismo or slaying draugr in God of War.
