Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero brings back the "what-if" storylines from the Budokai Tenkaichi series, known as Sparking Episodes, though they aren’t available right away.
Sparking Episodes offer alternate takes on the Dragon Ball universe, exploring how events could have unfolded differently.
Each character's story mode, called Episode Battles, comes with Sparking Episodes, which can be unlocked by completing specific missions and battling specific characters.
They must defeat enemies quickly—usually within three minutes or less—to unlock all the Sparking Episodes.
However, fans should note that lowering the mission difficulty prevents Sparking Episodes from being unlocked.
Players can use a Dragon Orb to reduce the requirements by summoning Shenron and wishing to complete an Episode Battle before heading into the mission. Once there, they can press "Options" to activate it.
So, without further ado, check out this ultimate guide to unlocking every Sparking Episode in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.
Unlocking Goku’s Sparking Episodes
As the first playable character, Goku’s Sparking Episode is the first players can unlock.
First, they must team up with Piccolo in the “Earth’s Mightiest Duo” mission in Chapter 1 and defeat Raditz as quickly as possible in the “Rematch and Result” section.
After defeating Raditz, the Pushing the Limit storyline will be unlocked, revealing Goku’s first Sparking Episode.
But it isn't the only Sparking Episode Goku has. The franchise protagonist has two more storylines to unlock beyond Pushing the Limit.
Also, in Chapter 1, players can unlock the Side by Side arc by choosing to “go it alone” and “wear down Raditz” within a certain time limit. Like the first episode, Raditz must be defeated as quickly as possible.
Lastly, players can access The Changing Future storyline by selecting “go and help” during the Hyperbolic Time Chamber mission and defeating Cell while avoiding the Solar Flare.
Unlocking Vegeta’s Sparking Episodes
In Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero Chapter 2, players must defeat Android 18 during the “Wind-Up Doll” mission within the time limit.
If successful, the Parental Bond Sparking Episode will be unlocked, focusing on Vegeta and Trunks' story.
To complete this episode, players must defeat Super Trunks as quickly as possible in the "Vegeta and Trunks" mission.
Vegeta’s second Sparking Episode can also be unlocked during the “Vegeta’s Wicked Heart” mission in Chapter 3.
In this mission, Babidi attempts to take control of Vegeta’s mind, and players can either submit to the brainwashing or shake it off.
To unlock the Number One Spot plotline, players must choose to “shake it off.”
Unlocking Gohan’s Sparking Episode
Gohan’s Sparking Episode is considered the best and the highlight of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.
In Chapter 5, during the Resurrection F saga, players must defeat the Frieza soldiers and face Frieza himself in the “Defend Earth from the Frieza Force!” mission.
Like the previous episodes, they need to subdue the enemies quickly. If they succeed, they can unlock The Strongest Warrior Sparking Episode.
While unlocking this episode is pretty straightforward, it's one of the longest what-if arcs in the game.
Unlocking Piccolo’s Sparking Episode
Piccolo’s Sparking Episode is divided into two parts, the first of which can be found in Chapter 2.
During the “Piccolo Returns to His Birthplace” mission, players must defeat Frieza at the earliest opportunity to unlock the mission called Piccolo’s Struggle.
Then, in Chapter 3, players should complete the “Faint Unease” mission and choose “help out Goku” to finally unlock the alternate story, A Mentor’s Guide, which focuses on Piccolo and Gohan.
Unlocking Future Trunks’ Sparking Episode
One of the most difficult unlocks in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is Future Trunks’ Sparking Episode.
Players must reach the end of Chapter 6, complete the final mission called “Trunks’ Choice,” and choose to stay in the present and train with others to unlock the mission “To Become the Strongest in the Universe.”
After that, they must face Vegeta, Piccolo, and Gohan quickly and demonstrate the results of their training.
However, taking on these three is challenging, so players can use the Dragon Orb or enter Sparking mode and utilize their ultimate combo attack.
Once defeated, the rest of the Inherited Pride Sparking Arc will be revealed, featuring Trunks in the Tournament of Power.
To access the Sparking Episode, players must follow Vegeta in the “Father or Teamwork?” mission to unlock Embarking Toward Tomorrow.
They can also unveil the Shining Hope narrative by defeating Zamasu and Goku Black as quickly as possible in the “Twisted World” mission.
Frieza’s Sparking Episode
Unlocking Frieza’s Sparking Episode is pretty simple yet complex at the same time.
In Chapter 5, players must complete the “Frieza Revived” mission, where Golden Frieza faces Goku and Vegeta in their Super Saiyan Blue forms.
If completed, the Frieza Force Joins the Fray plot will be unlocked.
However, since it has multiple endings, players can view the one with the Sparking Episode and trophy if they choose King Cold and use him as a team member after Beerus offers the choices.
Unlocking Goku Black’s Sparking Episode
Goku Black has one of the shortest Episode Battles in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, so his Sparking Episode is much easier to access.
Players just have to clear the “Act Three Begins” mission and defeat Goku and Vegeta. This will then open up the Proof of Justice Sparking Episode.
Unlocking Jiren’s Sparking Episode
Jiren has one of the most challenging missions in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, making him well-suited to have the final Sparking Episode.
His first mission, “Saiyan Rampage,” is quite different from other challenges in the game. Instead of defeating the enemy as quickly as possible, players must choose to wait and see what happens to Kale.
This will unlock the True Strength saga, similar to the main Tournament of Power.
While unlocking the episode is pretty easy, completing it will require strong fighting skills to navigate longer and more challenging battles.
To succeed, use Jiren’s “Meditation” skill to recover before his health runs out.
Which of these Sparking Episodes have you already unlocked? Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is receiving favorable reviews, proving it's worth a shot.
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