Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero has made an explosive debut, selling an astounding three million copies within 24 hours of its release. This highly anticipated entry is the first sequel in over 15 years for the beloved Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series, and it has certainly lived up to fan expectations. Released on October 11 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam, the game wasted no time in climbing the charts, quickly becoming one of the most-played games on Valve’s platform. While console sales figures remain undisclosed due to Sony and Microsoft’s policies, the game’s performance on Steam offers an impressive glimpse into its success.
On Steam, Sparking! Zero has set a new benchmark for Dragon Ball games, outshining all its predecessors in peak player count by a wide margin. According to data from SteamDB, the game peaked at 122,554 concurrent players at launch, surpassing any other Dragon Ball title on the platform. For comparison, the previous record holder was Dragon Ball FighterZ, developed by Arc System Works, with a peak player count of 44,303. As of this article’s writing, Sparking! Zero maintains a solid player base, with 28,064 players actively in-game and a 24-hour peak of 83,313. These numbers solidify its status as the top-performing Dragon Ball game on Steam and highlight the game’s lasting appeal beyond its initial launch surge.
In the broader context of fighting games on Steam, Sparking! Zero has managed to outperform other major titles in the genre. For instance, Capcom’s Street Fighter 6 peaked with 70,573 players, while NetherRealm’s Mortal Kombat 1 saw a maximum of 38,129 concurrent players. Sparking! Zero’s ability to outpace these well-established franchises demonstrates the enduring popularity of the Dragon Ball brand and the excitement surrounding the Budokai Tenkaichi series’ return.
Developed by Spike Chunsoft and published by Bandai Namco, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is an arena brawler that stays true to the iconic anime upon which it is based. The game features a roster of beloved characters from the Dragon Ball universe alongside dynamic combat mechanics that allow players to relive the epic battles from the series. Its faithful representation of the anime’s visuals and action-packed gameplay has resonated deeply with both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
The overwhelming success of Sparking! Zero is a testament to the lasting impact of the Dragon Ball franchise and the demand for quality titles in the Budokai Tenkaichi lineage. As the game continues to attract players and break records, it seems poised to cement its place as a modern classic in the fighting game genre. Fans can look forward to many more epic showdowns in the coming months as the game’s player base grows.