The Dragon Ball franchise remains one of the most popular multimedia brands in the world. Beyond its natural ubiquity in the worlds of manga and anime, Dragon Ball has seen plenty of success in the gaming world and continues to receive new titles regularly. 2024 even saw the release of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, the long-awaited revitalization of the ever-popular Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi sub-series.

Recently, rumors have swirled that Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is set to release on Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 system. It wouldn’t be too surprising to see Nintendo bring a game like this to the Switch 2, as the publisher will look to build a strong third-party lineup for its new system as early as possible. Nintendo wouldn’t be the only one reaping the benefits of this, as a Switch 2 release would be great news for Bandai Namco in the short-term and long-term future.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero On Switch 2 Would Be Huge For All Parties

A Switch 2 Release Would Revitalize Sparking Zero

Releasing Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero on the Switch 2 would be great for the game, as it would allow it to have something of a revitalization. At launch, Sparking Zero was a rousing commercial success, with over three million copies sold on the game’s first day. The game would also inevitably reach the five million sales mark, though some of the discussion surrounding it lately has been a little bit less than positive.

Recently, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero lost roughly 90% of its player count on Steam, a noticeable flame-out for a game that kicked off so strongly. Still, it’s not time for Bandai Namco to hit the panic button yet, as the game has started to receive downloadable content in the form of new playable characters. As Bandai Namco looks to spark a turnaround, a release on Nintendo’s next system could only help boost that return to form.

Dragon Ball Already Has A Strong Home On The Switch

Naturally, releasing a game like Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero on the Switch 2 also helps gauge the interest in other Dragon Ball games on the system. The Switch had a very strong third-party lineup, but several leaks have claimed that the Switch 2 will up the ante on third-party titles in a major way. As Nintendo looks to prepare the new system’s third-party games, a title as recent as Sparking Zero could show that Nintendo will not have to depend on ports of years-old games to maintain third-party support on the new system.

It should also be said that Dragon Ball has a strong history on the Nintendo Switch, as games like Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, Dragon Ball FighterZ, and Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot were all released on the Switch fairly close to their other console counterparts. Thus, if the pattern holds up, Sparking Zero may not only get a release on the Switch 2, but it may come pretty early in the system’s lifespan as well.

Nintendo And Bandai Namco’s Relationship Makes Sparking Zero On Switch 2 Likely

It also wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see Bandai Namco come out as one of the Switch 2’s earliest third-party supporters, as the publisher has released plenty of games on the Switch to begin with. Beyond the third-party support, Bandai Namco has also had a hand in some first-party titles, notably even offering development work on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Given the team’s long-standing relationship with Nintendo, a big game like Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero arriving on the Switch 2 early on seems like a safe bet.

While Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero may have lost some of its, ahem, “spark” since its release, Bandai Namco is continuing to push the buttons it needs to push to ensure the game continues to grow. If the publisher is serious about the game’s chances, a Switch 2 release could serve as a huge benefit for both Bandai Namco and Nintendo. Here’s hoping this fighting game helps turn the Switch 2 into a third-party powerhouse at launch.

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Released

October 11, 2024

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

Publisher(s)

Namco Bandai