Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero DLC 'NEO' Launches July 30 With 33 New Characters

The DLC marks the first time characters from the original Dragon Ball anime, such as Chi-Chi and young Tien, appear as playable fighters in the Budokai Tenkaichi series, expanding the roster beyond the Z and Super eras.

Key Facts

  • The 'Limit-Breaking Super Breakthrough NEO' DLC for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero launches on July 30, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
  • The DLC adds over 20 new costumes and super attacks, four new stages, new Episode Battles for four characters, and more Extra Battles.
  • Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch versions of the DLC will be released at a later date on a different schedule from other platforms.

Reporting from 3 sources: Anime News Network, Denfaminicogamer, Game Spark.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero DLC 'NEO' Launches July 30 With 33 New Characters

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on July 23 that the 'Limit-Breaking Super Breakthrough NEO' DLC for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero will launch on July 30, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The DLC adds 33 new playable characters, including Chi-Chi, King Piccolo, Mercenary Tao, General Blue, Android 8, Nam, Grandpa Gohan, King Vegeta, Pikkon, Mighty Mask, Supreme Kai, Super Saiyan Bardock, Chilled, Super Android 17, Nuova Shenron, Jaco, Cheelai, Champa, and alternate versions of Goku, Tien, and Piccolo from the original Dragon Ball anime. A new solo mode, 'Path to Limit-Breaking' (also called 'Limit Breaker Journey'), lets players select a character, travel to destinations, fight battles, and level up. Characters consume stamina when moving, and lower stamina reduces starting health but yields more experience from tougher fights. The mode includes 'Battle Arts' for status enhancements, and improved stats carry over to other game modes. The DLC also adds over 20 new costumes and super attacks, four new stages, new Episode Battles for four characters, and more Extra Battles. A free update adds 'Sparking! Boost' and 'Chain Blasts' mechanics. Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch versions will receive the DLC at a later date.

Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed the DLC's full contents through a showcase video featuring producer Jun Furuya, who explained the new solo mode 'Path to Limit-Breaking Super Breakthrough.' In this mode, players choose a favorite character and train them into an ideal super warrior by selecting destinations on a map, gaining experience points and special abilities called 'Fighting Know-How' through battles and events. Trained characters can be used in player matches and offline battles, with their power displayed through an aura that grows according to their strength.

The DLC introduces new systems alongside the characters. 'Sparking! Boost' consumes a larger amount of Skill Stock to increase attack power during Sparking! mode, while 'Chain Blasts' (also called 'Pursuit Blast') allow players to switch in reserve allies to continue attacks after an opponent is knocked away. Four completely new stages are added, including Kami's Lookout and the skies above Planet Vegeta, and a free update will introduce variations of existing stages. The Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch versions of the DLC will release on a separate schedule from other platforms, according to the announcement.

Synthesized by Yomimono from the 3 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

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