Summary
After months of anticipation and gradual reveals,the fullDragon Ball Sparking Zeroroster has finally been unveiled, and it’s nothing short of spectacular. The game launches with 181 playable characters, which far surpasses even the iconic roster of its predecessor,Budokai Tenkaichi 3.The roster is also incredibly diverse, covering almost every major character from theDragon Balluniverse, including even the non-canon GT lineup.
However, despite having such a massive roster, a few key characters are noticeably missing. Given the vast number of heroes and villains that have appeared throughoutDragon Ball, it’s understandable that some have been left out, but certain characters are just too iconic not to be included in the game. But the good news is that multiple DLC packs are already in the works, so it’s likely that fans won’t have to wait too long before these missing characters are added to the game.
1Super 17
A Fan-Favorite Villain From Dragon Ball GT
WhileDragon Ball GTmay not be as universally celebratedas the other shows in the franchise, it undeniably introduced some of thecoolest villains fans have ever seen in theDragon Balluniverse.Among them, Super 17 stands out as a fan favorite. From his sleek design and sharp dialogue to his epic showdown with SSJ4 Goku, everything about this character was perfectly executed.
Therefore, it’s highly surprising that Super 17 didn’t make the cut forSparking Zeroat launch. With the game including most of the iconic GT characters, his omission feels a little odd, to say the least. However, given how popular he is and the lasting impression he’s made on fans, chances are that he’ll make his way into the game eventually - probably through a future DLC pack.
2King Piccolo
Dragon Ball’s First Major Supervillain
When discussingDragon Ball’sbiggest and baddest supervillains, names like Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu often dominate the conversation. However, one character who frequently slips under the radar is King Piccolo. As the first true supervillain of the series, King Piccolo played a monumental role in the show’s story andalso gave Goku one of the most memorable beatdowns he’s ever received.
Given his legendary status, his absence from the game is a surprising move, especially since he’s appeared in all three previousBudokai Tenkaichigames. And considering his pivotal role inDragon Ballhistory, leaving him out of the game entirely would feel like a huge oversight. Hopefully, in the future, King Piccolo will get the recognition he deserves, and he’ll be added to the game.
3Pikkon
An Underrated But Highly Powerful Character
Pikkon is arguably one of the mostunderrated characters fromDragon Ball Z.Despite debuting in a filler episode during the Buu Saga, he quickly won over fans thanks to his no-nonsense attitude and awesome fighting skills. His popularity even landed him a major role in themovie that followed the Buu Saga,Fusion Reborn.
Yet, for some reason, Pikkon isn’t part ofSparking Zero’sroster at launch. This exclusion comes as a surprise for fans as characters like Janemba and Super Gogeta (Z) - who shared the spotlight with him inFusion Reborn- are included. However, fans shouldn’t be too disappointed, as there’s no doubt that new characters will gradually be introduced to the game through updates and DLC packs, and Pikkon will likely be one of them.
4Super Saiyan Bardock
One Of The Most Important Characters In The Series
For longtime Bardock fans, his recent surge in popularity must be thrilling to witness. Despite being one of the most important characters in theDragon Balluniverse, Bardock had minimal screentime inDragon Ball Z,which left his significance somewhat overlooked. As a result, many fans didn’t fully understand how pivotal his role was in Goku’s story, and for years, he remained underappreciated.
It wasn’t until games likeFighterZandXenoverse 2finally gave Bardock the respect he deserved by giving him the Super Saiyan form. From that moment, his popularity began to soar, and he’s now become a fan-favorite character. While the canonical version of Bardock is already included inSparking Zero,it is a bit sad to see that he wasn’t given the Super Saiyan transformation. But considering this form’s popularity in other games, it’s likely only a matter of time before Super Saiyan Bardock joinsSparking Zero’s roster as well.
5Nuova & Eis Shenron
A Pair Of Terrifying Villains From Dragon Ball GT
While Omega Shenron is often hailed as themost terrifying villain inDragon Ball GT, it’s easy to overlook just how menacing Nuova and Eis Shenron were during their debut. These twin dragons introduced a new echelon of power to the show, pushing even SSJ4 Goku to his limits. The battles between the pair and Goku were so intense that he had to bust out his legendary Dragon Fist technique to put an end to Eis Shenron.
Given their impact, fans must be a little disappointed to learn that neither Nuova nor Eis Shenron will be part of the game’s initial roster. Their absence is sure to sting, as these characters are simply too cool to be left out of the game. For now, fans can only hope they’re part of one of the upcoming DLC packs.
6Android 8
The Kindest Android In Dragon Ball
When thinking of the Androids from theDragon Balluniverse, characters like Android 18 and 17 instantly come to mind, but there exists another Android in the series that is arguably the most important of them all: Android 8. First introduced in the originalDragon Ballseries, Android 8 (or “Eighter”) was created by the Red Ribbon Army to be a weapon of destruction, but unlike his fellow Androids, he chose to become a protector rather than a fighter.
Sadly, Eighter is not part of the game at launch. Including him inSparking Zerowould have been a great way to pay homage to the early days of the series while also serving as a nostalgic reminder of the more lighthearted, adventure-filled beginnings ofDragon Ball.
