The Dragon Ball gaming universe continues to thrive even in 2025, thanks to titles that consistently push boundaries and celebrate the legacy of one of anime’s most iconic franchises. From the retro charm of Dragon Ball: Dragon Daihikyō (1986) to the cinematic spectacle of Sparking! ZERO (2024), Dragon Ball games have evolved with time, both technically and artistically.

Last year’s release, Sparking! ZERO, reignited global hype with its anime-authentic design and expansive narrative arcs. Meanwhile, 2018’s Dragon Ball FighterZ still stands tall as a competitive masterpiece, widely respected for its tight mechanics and high-skill ceiling. As fans debate which one truly earns the crown, we’ve broken down a detailed comparison across the most essential gameplay parameters to help you decide which title best fits your style in 2025.

1. Combat

While Bandai Namco has gone out of its way to bring the most accurate anime portrayal of Dragon Ball in Sparking! ZERO, with predecessors like Budokai Tenkaichi, the game had difficult shoes to fill. This is where FighterZ stole the show with its Arc System Works & 2D graphic style. These attributes, combined with a challenging combat design, thrilled the players, especially during boss fights. On the contrary, Sparking! ZERO‘s simple combat mechanics kept the game versatile, but at the cost of making the combat too predictable and repetitive.

Winner: FighterZ

2. Storyline

Where FighterZ went full-on Super Saiyan at technical fluidity and combat mechanics, it slacked off on storytelling elements. The Campaign mode, in particular, felt rather rushed and neglected compared to the other elements of the gameplay. Due to a limited narrative, FighterZ felt dry in the areas of character depth and story progression. While Sparking! ZERO did a much better job at storytelling, it was still too far from other 2024 releases, such as Lorelei and the Laser Eyes.

However, Sparking! ZERO did well in character introductions and depicting background stories. The addition of spin-off storylines with alternate versions of DB characters makes Sparking! ZERO a clear winner in this category.

Winner: Sparking! ZERO

3. Gameplay

Implementing gameplay fluidity in 2D games always has interesting results, and FighterZ does this job impeccably. Whether it is the smooth combat mechanics, effects, or better match-making in the multiplayer mode, FighterZ ticks all these boxes. While Sparking! ZERO implemented too many elements to keep the gameplay simple and engaging for everyone, it lacks that certain smoothness that is required in an Action RPG. However, the great visuals, audio narration, sound, and story progression compensated for what was lacking in Sparking! ZERO.

Winner: FighterZ

4. Visuals

Comparing 2D and 3D visuals is the classic case of comparing apples and oranges. While both Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO and FighterZ did a great job in their particular visuals, the 3D graphics and detailed character designs make Sparking! ZERO stand out. Not to mention, the detailed visual effects during fight sequences made the game appear nothing short of a cinematic experience.

Now, coming to Dragon Ball FighterZ, the game offers great visuals in a 2D format that actually resembles the anime. However, the lack of details in character design and game environment limited the charm of visuals that the game was capable of.

Winner: Sparking! ZERO

5. Authentic Adaptation

Whenever a game draws inspiration from a TV series, movie, book, or anime, it is important to analyze its authenticity. Sparking! ZERO did an impeccable job in this area by maintaining original character designs, including the origin stories of the characters, and working around the storyline. Speaking of FighterZ, it is no surprise that the game is intended to be combat-centric and bypasses over-indulgence in story missions.

Winner: Sparking! ZERO

Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO vs FighterZ: Final Verdict

As of mid-2025, both Dragon Ball FighterZ and Sparking! ZERO continues to shine in their own right, but they cater to different kinds of players.

If you’re after tight combat, fast-paced gameplay, and a competitive scene that still feels alive, FighterZ remains the go-to title—even seven years after its debut.

However, if you crave an immersive anime-like experience, diverse storytelling, and visuals that bring the Dragon Ball universe to life, then Sparking! ZERO offers the better overall adventure in today’s gaming landscape.

Ultimately, the “better” game depends on what you value more—technical mastery or anime-authentic immersion. Either way, both titles have proven their lasting impact on the Dragon Ball gaming legacy.

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