Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is packed with a colossal roster of over 180 characters, but many of these fighters will need to be unlocked as you progress through the game. Whether you’re a fan of tackling challenges, grinding through battles, or just want to unlock your favorite characters as quickly as possible, there’s a method for everyone. This guide will walk you through all the ways you can access every character in the game.
1. Story Mode (Episode Battles)
One of the primary methods to unlock characters is by progressing through Sparking! ZERO‘s Story Mode, known as Episode Battles. By completing various sagas, you’ll unlock characters tied to the events within the story. This is one of the most straightforward methods to unlock characters while reliving iconic moments from the Dragon Ball universe.
Key Unlocks:
- Goku (Teen) – Beat the “World Tournament” saga.
- Cell Jr. – Complete the “Cell Games” saga.
- Super Gogeta (Z) – Win in the “Other World Tournament.”
What-If Scenarios:
The game also includes alternate “What-If” scenarios, which unlock characters that aren’t part of the main storylines. Make sure to explore these unique battles for additional rewards.
2. In-Game Shop (Zeni)
If you prefer a more direct route, you can buy characters from the in-game shop using Zeni, the currency you earn through battles. Most characters can be bought here, but you’ll need to grind to gather enough Zeni. Keep in mind that the shop doesn’t have all characters available from the start. As you increase your player level, more characters will become available for purchase.
Key Unlocks via Shop:
- Goku (Super) Ultra Instinct Sign – 120,000 Zeni
- Majin Vegeta – 105,000 Zeni
- Goku Black – Can also be purchased through a Super Shenron wish
Tip:
If you’re short on Zeni, you can wish for large amounts via Shenron or Super Shenron, which can help speed up the unlocking process.
3. Offline Tournaments
Participating in offline tournaments can also unlock specific characters. Each tournament has a unique character unlock associated with it, so it’s worth mastering these competitions to bolster your roster.
Tournament Unlocks:
- Goku (Teen) – Win the World Tournament.
- Frost – Win the Tournament of Destroyers.
- Anilaza – Win the Tournament of Power.
These tournaments can be challenging, but they offer rewarding characters that are often difficult to unlock elsewhere.
4. Zen-Oh’s Orders
Zen-Oh’s Orders are a set of challenges within the game. Completing these will reward you with Zeni, titles, and sometimes, new characters. Each challenge has specific requirements, such as using a character a certain number of times or winning battles under certain conditions. Keep an eye on the challenge list to see which characters are tied to these orders.
Key Unlocks from Zen-Oh’s Orders:
- Saibaman – Use certain characters a set number of times.
- Majin Buu (Evil) – Complete specific battle challenges.
5. Super Shenron Wishes
Throughout the game, you’ll have the chance to summon Super Shenron, and one of the rewards you can wish for is to unlock certain characters early. This is a great way to fast-track your progress, especially for fighters that are otherwise locked behind high player levels.
Characters via Super Shenron:
- Goku Black – Available as a wish.
- Fused Zamasu – Available as a wish.
You can also use Super Shenron to wish for a million Zeni, which can then be used to unlock even more characters in the shop.
6. Custom Episode Bonus Battles
Custom Episodes allow players to create their own scenarios, but they also include special developer-made Bonus Battles. Completing these Bonus Battles can unlock additional characters that might not be available through other means.
Key Unlocks from Bonus Battles:
- Caulifla – Complete specific Bonus Battles.
- Gogeta (Super) – Important if you didn’t pre-order the game.
These battles often provide unique challenges, but they’re worth completing if you’re aiming to unlock every character in the game.
7. Pre-Order & Deluxe Edition Bonuses
If you pre-ordered Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO or purchased the Deluxe/Ultimate Edition, you’ll have early access to some powerful characters right from the start. However, if you didn’t pre-order, these characters can still be unlocked through the game’s other methods, albeit later down the line.
Pre-Order Unlocks:
- Goku (Mini) – Exclusive to pre-order.
- Super Gogeta and Super Broly – Available early for Deluxe/Ultimate Edition owners.
Summary of Methods to Unlock Characters
| Method | Notable Characters Unlocked |
|---|---|
| Story Mode (Episode Battles) | Goku (Teen), Cell Jr., Super Gogeta (Z) |
| In-Game Shop (Zeni) | Goku (Super) Ultra Instinct Sign, Majin Vegeta |
| Offline Tournaments | Frost, Anilaza, Goku (Teen) |
| Zen-Oh’s Orders | Saibaman, Majin Buu (Evil) |
| Super Shenron Wishes | Goku Black, Fused Zamasu |
| Bonus Battles | Caulifla, Future Gohan, Gogeta (Super) |
| Pre-Order/Deluxe Bonuses | Goku (Mini), Super Gogeta, Super Broly |
- Future Gohan: Available by completing the “Face of Despair! Gohan vs. Android” Bonus Battle.
- Syn Shenron (GT): Unlockable via the shop for 120,000 Zeni or by reaching Player Level 10.
- Vegeta (GT) Super Saiyan 4: Can be purchased for 60,000 Zeni once Player Level 10 is reached.
- Mecha Frieza: Unlockable by completing Frieza’s Saga Chapter 5 or through the shop.
- Great Ape Baby (GT): Available once you reach Player Level 10.
- Android 13: Can be bought for 60,000 Zeni once Player Level 10 is reached.
- Hirudegarn: Unlockable by completing the Bonus Battle “Great Saiyaman vs. Kaiju?!”.
- Roasie: Available through the Bonus Battle “Neo Tri-Beam is All Powered-Up”.
Unlocking all the characters in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO can be a time-consuming process, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Whether you prefer battling through the story, grinding for Zeni, or completing challenges, there’s a method that fits every playstyle. Now, get out there and start building your ultimate roster!
