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Table of Contents
Now that all the years of waiting are over, both veteran and new players are diving in and trying to wrap their heads around the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero controls. Players who have spent time in Budokai Tenkaichi, Xenoverse, Kakarot, and FighterZ will all notice a handful of similarities.
The challenge is that Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is often harder than those games with more complex controls in several areas, and that means every player needs a very strong understanding of the basics. We'll go over all the most important Dragon Ball Sparking Zero controls here so you can keep a quick reference available at all times.
Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Controls Guide
When you first launch Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, setting up initial options will prompt you to choose between the Standard and Classic controls. If you've recently spent many hours in the Budokai Tenkaichi games that preceded this installment, choosing the Classic option will give you the same guarding, ascend/descened, and ki charge controls as those had.
We'll be covering the Standard controls here, and it's the one most players should be using at first. Once you've got a good understanding of how everything works and the various moves that can be done, most of the individual controls can be mapped to different buttons via the Controls & Camera section in Options from the Main Menu or Title Screen.
First, here are the basic Dragon Ball Sparking Zero controls:
| Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
| Move Fighter | Move Left Stick | Move Left Stick |
| Rush Attack | Press X | Press Square |
| Ki Blast/Rush Chain | Press Y | Press Triangle |
| Throw |
Press RB and X | Press R1 and Square |
| Perception | Press B | Press Circle |
| Step/Short Dash | Press A | Press X |
| Move Camera | Move Right Stick | Move Right Stick |
| Ascend/Jump | Press and Hold LB | Press and Hold L1 |
| Descend | Press and Hold LT | Press and Hold L2 |
| Guard | Hold RB | Hold R1 |
| Ki Charge | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
| Transformation |
Hold D-Pad Up then press X, Y, B, or A to transform into chosen form | Hold D-Pad Up then press Square, Triangle, Circle, or X to transform into chosen form |
| Switch Character |
Hold D-Pad Left then press X, Y, B, or A to switch to chosen character | Hold D-Pad Left then press Square, Triangle, Circle, or X to switch to chosen character |
| Skill 1 |
Hold RT and Press D-Pad Up or Down | Hold R2 and Press D-Pad Up or Down |
| Skill 2 |
Hold RT and Press D-Pad Left or Right | Hold R2 and Press D-Pad Left or Right |
| Blast 2 |
Hold RT and Press X | Hold R2 and Press Square |
| Blast 2 |
Hold RT and Press Y | Hold R2 and Press Triangle |
| Enter Sparking Mode |
Hold RT until Ki Charge until all yellow bars are full then the blue Sparking meter is completely filled | Hold R2 until Ki Charge until all yellow bars are full then the blue Sparking meter is completely filled |
These will give you a general idea of how most buttons are utilized, but there are many more advanced controls in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero. Below, we'll also give a little more detail about how specific moves are handled and which situations call for them.
We've also separated actions that require ki so you'll know what your options are if your ki has been depleted during battle. Finally, for extra clarity, we'll note if an action is intended to be used close range, mid-range, long range, while grounded, while flying, or any other specifics which may be relevant.
Offensive No Ki Required Controls
All of the following offensive Dragon Ball Z Sparking Zero controls can be used to execute moves without using or having ki:
| Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
| Step (Close Range) | Tap A | Tap X |
| Jump (Grounded) | Tap LB | Tap L1 |
| Start Flying (Grounded) | Tap LB then Tap and Hold LB | Tap L1 then Tap and Hold L1 |
| Ascend (Flying) | Hold LB | Hold L1 |
| Descend (Flying) | Hold LT | Hold L2 |
| Step-In Attack (Close Range) | Tap A to Step then hold Y | Tap X to Step then hold Triangle |
| Step-In Sway (Close Range) | Press RB during a Step to dodge | Press R1 during a Step to dodge |
| Rush Attack (Close Range) | Press X (continue pressing for combo) | Press Square (continue pressing for combo) |
| Smash Attack (Close Range) | Hold X | Hold Square |
| Perfect Smash (Close Range) | Hold X then release the moment your character starts to glow | Hold Square then release the moment your character starts to glow |
| Guard Clash (Close Range) |
Hold Left Stick Up then Hold X while enemy is guarding | Hold Left Stick Up then Hold Square while enemy is guarding |
| Rush Chain 1 | Press X then Y | Press Square then Triangle |
| Rush Chain 2 (Heavy Finish) | Press X then X then Y | Press Square then Square then Triangle |
| Rush Chain 3 (Ki Blast Cannon) | Press X then X then X then Y | Press Square then Square then Square then Triangle |
| Ki Blast Cannon Smash | After Ki Blast Cannon, Press and Hold Y | After Ki Blast Cannon, Press and Hold Triangle |
| Rush Chain 4 (Heavy Finish) | Press X then X then X then X then Y | Press Square then Square then Square then Square then Y |
| Heavy Crush | After a Heavy Finish, Press Y then Y then X | After a Heavy Finish, Press Triangle then Triangle then Square |
| Lift Strike | Hold Left Stick Up and Y | Hold Left Stick Up and Triangle |
| Homing Jump | Press A quickly after a Lift Strike | Press X quickly after a Lift Strike |
| Air Combo | Press X during a Homing Jump | Press Square during a Homing Jump |
| Aerial Heavy Finish | Press Y during a Homing Jump, can also then press X to begin an Air Combo | Press Triangle during a Homing Jump, can also then press Square to begin an Air Combo |
| Grand Slash | Hold Left Stick Down and Y | Hold Left Stick Down and Triangle |
| Tornado Slash | After a Grand Slash, press Y then Y then X | After a Grand Slash, press Triangle then Triangle then Square |
| Follow-Up Attack | Press A or Y after an opponent has been knocked back, number of attacks depends on character and increases in Sparking Mode | Press X or Triangle after an opponent has been knocked back, number of attacks depends on character and increases in Sparking Mode |
| Dragon Homing | Press A as an opponent is sent flying | Press X as an opponent is sent flying |
| Dragon Smash | Hold X while Dragon Homing, also Hold Left Stick to knock an opponent in a specific direction | Hold Square while Dragon Homing, also Hold Left Stick to knock an opponent in a specific direction |
| Burst Smash | Press Y while Dragon Homing, also Hold Left Stick to knock an opponent in a specific direction | Press Triangle while Dragon Homing, also Hold Left Stick to knock an opponent in a specific direction |
| Vanishing Attack | Press Y after knocking away an opponent, also Hold Left Stick to knock them in a specific direction | Press Triangle after knocking away an opponent, also Hold Left Stick to knock them in a specific direction |
| Lightning Attack | Press B after knocking away an opponent | Press Circle after knocking away an opponent |
| Ground Throw | Press RB and X when standing at the feet of a downed opponent, they have no chance of evasion | Press R1 and Square when standing at the feet of a downed opponent, they have no chance of evasion |
| Chase Change |
Hold D-Pad Left and Press X, Y, B, or A during a Rush Attack to switch characters and perform an attack as you switch | Hold D-Pad Left and Press Square, Triangle, Circle, or X during a Rush Attack to switch characters and perform an attack as you switch |
The top few actions listed above can also be used defensively to avoid attacks depending on your situation. If your opponent is charging a special blast and you're not too close, you can often rapidly step to the left or right to avoid the impact.
Offensive Ki Required Controls
Now, here are the different Dragon Ball Sparking Zero controls for offensive attacks that do require ki:
| Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
| Short Dash (Long Range) | Press A while moving | Press X while moving |
| Dragon Dash (Long Range) | Hold RT and A | Hold R2 and X |
| Quick Ascend (Grounded) | Hold RT and LB | Hold R2 and L1 |
| Quick Descend (Flying) | Hold RT and LT | Hold R2 and L2 |
| Z-Burst Dash (Long Range) | Press RT and A again during Dragon Dash | Press R2 and X again during Dragon Dash |
| Short Dash Attack (Close or Mid-Range) | Press A then X | Press X then Sqiare |
| Dash Rising | Immediately after Short Dash Attack connects, Hold Left Stick Down and Press Y, then X, then X | Immediately after Short Dash Attack connects, Hold Left Stick Down and Press Triangle, then Square, then Square |
| Dash Blow | Immediately after Short Dash Attack connects, Press Y then X | Immediately after Short Dash Attack connects, Press Triangle then Square |
| Dragon Dash Attack | Hold X during Dragon Dash | Hold Square during Dragon Dash |
| Burst Melee Attack | Press X during a Z-Burst Dash | Press Square during a Z-Burst Dash |
| Burst Strike | Press Y during a Z-Burst Dash | Press Triangle during a Z-Burst Dash |
| Burst Meteor | Press X during a Burst Strike | Press Square during a Burst Strike |
| Rush High-Speed Movement | Move Left Stick and Press RB during a Rush Attack | Move Left Stick and Press R1 during a Rush Attack |
| Rush Perception | Hold B during a Rush Attack | Hold Circle during a Rush Attack |
| Rush Ki Blast | Tap Y, keep tapping Y for continuous blasts | Tap Triangle, keep tapping Triangle for continuous blasts |
| Smash Ki Blast | Hold Y (can be in motion when doing this) | Hold Triangle (can be in motion when doing this) |
| Standby Smash Ki Blast | Hold Y while standing still for a stronger blast | Hold Triangle while standing still for a stronger blast |
| Jump Rush Blast | Press LB to jump then Tap Y, keep tapping Y for continuous blasts | Press L1 to jump then Tap Triangle, keep tapping Triangle for continuous blasts |
| Jump Smash Ki Blast | Press LB to jump then hold Y | Press L1 to jump then hold Triangle |
| Dash Rush Ki Blast | Tap Y during a Short Dash, keep tapping Y for continuous blasts | Tap Triangle during a Short Dash, keep tapping Triangle for continuous blasts |
| Dash Smash Ki Blast | Hold Y during a Short Dash | Hold Triangle during a Short Dash |
| Vanishing Assault | Press A and X | Press X and Square |
The total ki required can vary depending on the move, the specific circumstance your opponent is in when it's used, and the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero character you're using.
Defensive No Ki Required Controls
Now for the other side of the fight, here are the all the defensive controls to use in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero that won't consume or require ki:
| Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
| Guard | Hold RB | Hold R1 |
| High Guard | Hold Left Stick Up and RB | Hold Left Stick Up and R1 |
| Low Guard | Hold Left Stick Down and RB | Hold Left Stick Down and R1 |
| High-Speed Evasion | Press RB timed with your oponent's attack | Press R1 timed with your oponent's attack |
| Super Counter | Move Left Stick Up and Press X the instant an attack lands, can be used to break Rush Attack Chain | Move Left Stick Up and Press Square the instant an attack lands, can be used to break Rush Attack Chain |
| Rush High-Speed Return | Press RB when an opponent has used a Rush High-Speed Movement to attack from behind | Press R1 when an opponent has used a Rush High-Speed Movement to attack from behind |
| Throw Evasion | Press RB as your opponent is attempting a Throw to cancel it | Press R1 as your opponent is attempting a Throw to cancel it |
| Ki Blast Deflection | Press RB the moment you are hit with a Rush Ki Blast to knock it away, this recovers your skill gauge | Press R1 the moment you are hit with a Rush Ki Blast to knock it away, this recovers your skill gauge |
| Ki Blast Reflection | Press RB the moment you are hit with a Smash Ki Blast to deflect back towards them, a reflected Smash Ki Blast can be volleyed between fighters | Press R1 the moment you are hit with a Smash Ki Blast to deflect back towards them, a reflected Smash Ki Blast can be volleyed between fighters |
| Recover | Move Left Stick in the direction you want to roll and Press A, X, B, or Y when you have been knocked down | Move Left Stick in the direction you want to roll and Press X, Square, Circle, or Triangle when you have been knocked down |
| Knock Back Recovery | Press RB while being knocked back | Press R1 while being knocked back |
| Impact Recovery | Move Left Stick Down when you have been knocked back and are about to hit the ground or wall | Move Left Stick Down when you have been knocked back and are about to hit the ground or wall |
| Dragon Dash Recovery | Hold Left Stick Up when you have been knocked back and are about to hit the ground or wall | Hold Left Stick Up when you have been knocked back and are about to hit the ground or wall |
| Midair Knock Back Recovery | Press RB after getting hit by a Lift Strike to regain your balance while midair | Press R1 after getting hit by a Lift Strike to regain your balance while midair |
Be careful when guarding as an opponent may look to use a Guard Clash to break your guard, and you'll be vulnerable to attacks from behind while guarding. Using a high guard or low guard is extra effective against certain moves, but it also leaves you extra vulnerable to attacks coming from the opposite direction.
Defensive Ki Required Controls
When you've got some ki saved up and need help in a pinch, use these Dragon Ball Sparking Zero controls:
| Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
| Perception | Hold B to counter next Rush Attack, can be used when you have no Skill Count | Hold Circle to counter next Rush Attack, can be used when you have no Skill Count |
| Super Perception | If you have at least one Skill Count, Hold B to counter next Rush Attack, may also consume ki | If you have at least one Skill Count, Hold Circle to counter next Rush Attack, may also consume ki |
| Revenge Counter | If you have at least two Skill Counts, Press Right Stick to counter an enemy while taking hits | If you have at least two Skill Counts, Press R3 to counter an enemy while taking hits |
| Z-Counter | Press RB just before a follow-up attack lands | Press R1 just before a follow-up attack lands |
| Midair Perception | Hold B after getting hit by a Lift Strike | Hold Circle after getting hit by a Lift Strike |
The total amount of ki used can change based on the move you're countering and the character you're using. Perception continues to use Ki while being held.
Sparking Mode Controls
Use the following controls to perform special actions only available while Sparking Mode is active:
| Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
| Violent Rush | Press X, allows for consecutive rushes | Press Square, allows for consecutive rushes |
| Hyper Smash | Hold X for an unguardable Smash Attack | Hold Square for an unguardable Smash Attack |
| Burst Rush | Press X while performing a Z-Burst Dash, allows for consecutive rushes | Press Square while performing a Z-Burst Dash, allows for consecutive rushes |
| Burst Finish (Up) | Press Y during a Burst Rush to knock an opponent upward | Press Triangle during a Burst Rush to knock an opponent upward |
| Burst Finish (Down) | Hold Left Stick Down and Press Y during a Burst Rush to knock an opponent downward | Hold Left Stick Down and Press Triangle during a Burst Rush to knock an opponent downward |
| Ultimate Blast | Hold RT and Press B, Sparking Mode ends after this is used | Hold R2 and Press Circle, Sparking Mode ends after this is used |
That wraps up all the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero controls you'll need in every fight. Spend some time in Battle Training if you're struggling with the timing on any of these moves. Make sure to get accustomed to each fighter to understand how their moves work. You can also pause during any offline battle and check Explanation of Controls for details on the super blast and skill abilities available to your current character.
