In all matters of gaming, anticipation often builds a fortress of expectations among fans, and in the case of the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series, this fortress is monumental.
Recently, the air in this fortress vibrated with whispers and speculations as Gematsu spotted that Japanese developer Bandai Namco had filed a US trademark titled “Sparking! Zero” on September 26. For those unfamiliar with this name, this news might seem inconsequential at first, but for fans of the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series, this is a significant revelation.
Earlier this year, the gaming community received the exciting announcement of a new entry in the Budokai Tenkaichi series. However, since that revelation, information has been scarce, leaving fans scrambling for more details. Thankfully, the recent trademark filing has provided new information, suggesting that the game’s Japanese edition might continue under the Sparking! Zero title.
“Sparking! Zero” also aligns with the naming convention of the series in Japan, with previous titles including Dragon Ball Z: Sparking!, Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Neo, and Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Meteor.
Adding fuel to the fire of expectations, a leaker previously hinted that Budokai Tenkaichi 4 might be arriving sooner than many expected, targeting an early 2024 release window. This rumor gained traction when one of the game’s voice actors suggested that English voice work for the game was already in progress, indicating that the game’s development might be in its advanced stages.
Furthermore, a teaser trailer that accompanied the announcement showcased Goku in his awe-inspiring Super Saiyan Blue form, a transformation derived from the latest Dragon Ball Super anime series, leaving fans electrified and clamoring for more.
Despite the excitement, Bandai Namco has been notably silent about the game since its initial announcement. But, the timing of this trademark coincides with the upcoming Dragon Ball panel at New York Comic-Con on October 12. Many fans are holding on to hope for a closer look at Budokai Tenkaichi 4 during this event.
Whether Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi will be called Sparking! Zero or something else entirely, fans of the anime-inspired fighting series are waiting to see what Bandai Namco has in store for them.
