Dragon Ball Sparking Zero: Unlocking Goku’s Branching Paths – A Complete Guide

SunainaOctober 12, 2024

The release of Dragon Ball Sparking Zero on October 11, 2024, brings a breath of fresh air to the Dragon Ball universe. Developed by Spike Chunsoft and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, this action-packed fighting game features a massive roster of 182 characters, alongside a unique twist on the traditional campaign mode. With a focus on “What If” branching paths called Sparking Episodes, players can experience alternate versions of their favourite storylines by making crucial decisions throughout the game.

In this guide, we’ll break down all of Goku’s branching paths in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero each leading to its own unique ending. From intense battles against Raditz to universe-changing fights with Vegeta and Frieza, you’ll find everything you need to know about Goku’s storylines and how to unlock them.

The Sparking Episodes – Goku’s Three Branching Paths

Goku, the series’ beloved protagonist, has three unique Sparking Episodes in the game:

Side by Side
Pushing the Limit
The Changing Future

These branching paths depend on your choices during key episodes in the game. Let’s dive into each of Goku’s story arcs, how to unlock them, and what to expect along the way.

1) Side by Side Branching Path

To unlock Goku’s Side by Side branching path, you’ll need to make the choice to fight alone during the episode titled The Earth’s Mightiest Duo?! You must also defeat Raditz within a specific time limit. This path focuses heavily on teamwork (ironically, despite Goku’s solo decisions) and showcases his battles alongside his closest allies.

Episodes in the Side by Side Path

Raditz vs. The Turtle School: Your first task is to weaken Raditz until Krillin jumps in to help. You’ll need to make quick decisions to ensure Krillin can join the battle and ultimately assist in Raditz’s defeat.
Piccolo’s Proposal: After defeating Raditz, Piccolo offers to train Gohan, marking the beginning of their mentor-student relationship. Here, you’ll help train Gohan to prepare for the upcoming Saiyan invasion.
Training Together: Goku must choose to spar with one of his allies Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, or Chiaotzu. It doesn’t matter who you pick, as defeating any of them will allow you to progress in the story.
The Importance of Teamwork: The Saiyans, Nappa and Vegeta, arrive on Earth. In this episode, you must defeat Nappa, after which Vegeta executes him for his failure.
Fearless Vegeta: Goku now faces Vegeta. During the battle, Vegeta transforms into a Great Ape, providing a significant challenge.
Great Ape Extermination!: In this episode, your goal is to defeat Great Ape Vegeta by chipping away at his health until he reverts to his original form.
The Battle Resumes Too Soon: After Goku and Vegeta’s battle, Piccolo accidentally hits Goku with his Special Beam Cannon. This unexpected turn of events forces the battle to end prematurely.
Team Combat by an Unlikely Pair: As Frieza’s forces arrive, you’ll have to face both Dodoria and Zarbon. Your teamwork will be tested as you deal with these formidable foes.
Mysterious Elite Squadron: After defeating Dodoria and Zarbon, the Ginyu Force makes their appearance. You’ll need to take down Guldo in order to complete this episode.
Consecutive Battles with the Ginyu Force!: After defeating Guldo, prepare for a marathon battle with the rest of the Ginyu Force. You’ll face Recoome, Burter, Jeice, and Captain Ginyu in consecutive battles.
Suspicious Vegeta: Frieza sends Captain Ginyu to retrieve the Dragon Balls, but when Vegeta returns, he’s acting strange. It turns out that Ginyu has swapped bodies with Vegeta, forcing Goku to face this twisted version of his former rival.
Frieza’s Transformation: With the Ginyu Force out of the way, you’ll now fight Frieza in his initial form. Reducing his health forces him to transform through his second and third forms.
Side by Side – The Final Battle: In this epic final battle, Frieza fights Goku in his most powerful form. Vegeta steps in to buy Goku some time to recover. Once fully recovered, Goku hits Frieza with a Spirit Bomb to end this intense fight and close out the Side by Side branching path.

2) Pushing the Limit Branching Path

To unlock the Pushing the Limit path, choose to work with Piccolo during the The Earth’s Mightiest Duo?! episode. Defeating Raditz swiftly will allow you to divert from the main storyline and explore this alternate series of events, where Goku pushes himself and his allies to the limit in a race to defeat Vegeta.

Episodes in the Pushing the Limit Path

Temporary Peace: With Raditz out of the way, Goku turns his focus to testing Gohan’s strength in preparation for the Saiyan invasion. You’ll need to defeat Gohan in this sparring session.
Hurry, Goku!: Goku arrives just in time to help his friends, who are struggling against the Saibamen. You must defeat the Saibamen before time runs out.
Goku vs. Nappa: Vegeta and Nappa arrive on Earth. Goku squares off against Nappa in a battle of brute strength, and you must reduce Nappa’s health to complete this episode.
A Saiyan’s Education: After Goku defeats Nappa, Vegeta takes matters into his own hands and kills Nappa. Goku then faces off against Vegeta in an intense showdown.
Transformation: Similar to the Side by Side path, Vegeta transforms into a Great Ape during the fight. This battle pushes Goku to his limits as he fights for his life.
Goku’s Rage: In this climactic episode, Goku’s rage causes him to transform into a Super Saiyan after Vegeta injures his friends and Gohan. Goku’s newfound strength allows him to defeat Vegeta, who narrowly escapes.
A Solo Journey to Planet Namek: After defeating Vegeta, Goku and his friends head to Planet Namek in search of the Dragon Balls. Here, you’ll face Frieza’s forces once again.
Pushing the Limit – The Final Showdown: This path ends with an epic rematch between Super Saiyan Goku and Vegeta, who has also unlocked his Super Saiyan form. Vegeta reveals that he’s already defeated Frieza, leaving himself as the final boss of this path. Goku must once again push beyond his limits to defeat Vegeta.

3) The Changing Future Branching Path

To unlock The Changing Future path, choose to help Piccolo during the episode Hyperbolic Time Chamber. This path deviates from the main storyline and explores a future where Goku plays a key role in changing the fate of the Androids and Cell.

Episodes in The Changing Future Path

Defeat Cell!: Goku arrives just in time to save Piccolo from Cell’s clutches. In this episode, you must defeat Cell before he can absorb any more androids.
The Androids and Goku: After defeating Cell, your next challenge is to take on Android 18. This battle tests your ability to strategize, as Android 18 is a formidable opponent.
Fun and Games: With Android 18 defeated, your next task is to fight Android 17. This episode leads to an intense battle that pushes Goku to his limits once more.
The Changing Future – Final Battle: The final episode in this path sees Goku face off against Android 16, who refuses to retreat even after Goku has defeated 17 and 18. Defeating Android 16 concludes this path, solidifying Goku’s role in changing the future.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero introduces a fascinating new element to the franchise by allowing players to experience alternate timelines through branching paths. Goku’s Sparking Episodes showcase different outcomes and “What If” scenarios that put players in control of the narrative. Whether you’re fighting alongside your allies in Side by Side, pushing your limits in battles against Vegeta in Pushing the Limit, or changing the future by defeating the Androids, these paths offer fresh takes on classic Dragon Ball storylines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many Sparking Episodes does Goku have in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero?
A: Goku has three branching paths or Sparking Episodes: Side by Side, Pushing the Limit, and The Changing Future.

Q: How do I unlock Goku’s Side by Side path?
A: To unlock the Side by Side path, you need to choose to fight alone during the episode The Earth’s Mightiest Duo?! and defeat Raditz within a specific time frame.

Q: Can I unlock all of Goku’s branching paths in one playthrough?
A: No, you will need to replay the *Episode Battle