Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Update Unlocks Split Screen For All Stages, Nerfs Great Ape Vegeta

One big question heading into the release of Dragon Ball Sparking Zero was whether the next chapter in the Budokai Tenkaichi series would include local split screen. The answer was yes, but many fans were frustrated when it was revealed that split screen would only have access to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber stage. That's finally goign to be fixed as the new Dragon Ball Sparking Zero update patch notes confirmed several changes coming to the game.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Update Patch Notes (December 12)

If you've been dying to demolish your buddy while sitting on the same couch, it's about to get as fun as it should've been from the start. The latest Dragon Ball Sparking Zero update deployed on December 12, and the biggest highlight is that split screen mode will now have access to all stages. It's a great step forward for a feature that felt frustratingly limited to players at launch, but that's not all that's set to change.

Over a dozen different battle maneuvers have been altered in an effort to re-balance some areas of the game, and several special skills and blasts have been changed. The notorious Afterimage Strike got nerfed with a reduction in duration, Skill Count went up for anything that instantly puts you in Sparking! Mode, long-range and Ultimate Blasts have been slowed down, and six different characters were adjusted.

Great Ape Vegeta and Dr. Wheelo were directly nerfed and have lower maximum health following this update. Android 19 and Dr. Gero will now consume ki when using Dragon Dash, Quick Ascend, and Quick Descene, and Cell 2nd Form's throw is now escapable. The only character to get a little better is Cooler, as the amount of health restored when transforming was increased.

Here are the full Dragon Ball Sparking Zero update patch notes:

Game Mode Adjustments

Battle

• All stages are now able to be selected in offline P1 vs. P2 battles.

Functionality Adjustments

Battle Setup

• A function allowing you to change a character's display method has been added.
• The "My Sets" function has been added for Team Members/

Ranked Match / Player Match

• You can now skip the intro battle animations (requires both players to input the skip command).

Player Match

• You can now set your team to hidden or revealed to your opponent when editing your team

Custom Battle Mode

• Text can now be sorted alphabetically.

Options

• You can now set the battle camera distance to be closer

Battle System Adjustments

High-Speed Dragon Dash (New Action)

• The new quick movement action, "High-Speed Dragon Dash", where you can move quickly towards your opponent, has been added. Perform with R2 and holding X (PS5) or RT and holding A (XSX|S).

Smash Attack

• You will no longer be stunned when being hit by a Rush Ki Blast when charging a Smash Attack.
• When charging a Smash Attack during a Rush Attack, charge time reduction based on hit count has been increased.

Rush Ki Blast

• The time between being able to fire the next Rush Ki Blast after firing the maximum consecutive amount at once (different for each character) has been increased.

Rush Ki Blast Deflection

• You can now move while deflecting Rush Ki Blasts.

Steps

• You will now no longer be able to be hit by certain attacks immediately after performing a Step

Rush Ki Blast and Smash Ki Blast can now also be evaded. 

Z-Burst Dash

• The amount of Ki consumed when activating it has been increased.

Burst Smash

• Ki will no longer be consumed when activating it, and will instead consume an amount based on the distance traveled.

Blast

• Damage has been increased when using a boost.

Z-Search

• Z-Search will no longer lose track of your opponent when characters are swapped.
• You will now quickly regain sight of your opponent if they enter your line of sight from the front when Z-Search is not locked onto them.

Z-Counter

• The input window has been shortened.
• Z-Counter will become more difficult to perform if performed consecutively.
• Ki consumed has been increased when successfully performing a Z-Counter.
• Skill Count increase speed has been reduced when successfully performing a Z-Counter.

Revenge Counter

• Skill Count consumed when using Perception against Revenge Counter has been reduced from 2 to 1.

Rush Attacks during Sparking! Mode

• Gradual damage reduction of consecutive hits has been increased.

Combos

• The final attack of Aerial Combos and Aerial Slash Combos will no longer be interrupted by guarding.

Character Switch

• Health recovery rate of Standby characters has been reduced.

Z-Burst Dash (Giant Characters)

• The tackle done by Giant characters during Z-Burst Dashes is now guardable.

Skill Adjustments

Skills that cause instant Sparking! Mode

• Skill Count consumed has been increased.

Skills that increase stats in general

• Skill Count consumed has been decreased.

Afterimage Strike

• Effect duration has been reduced to 10 seconds, and will be removed if your opponent uses Perception while you are under the effect.

False Courage

• Skill Count consumed has been increased from 1 to 2.

Technique: All I Need Is Five Seconds!

• Skill Count consumed has been increased from 3 to 2 and status increase upon activation has been increased.

Standard Barrier

• You can now activate it while receiving melee attacks from the front.

Blast Adjustments

Long-Range Blasts and Ultimate Blasts

• Speed has been reduced.

Super Vegito: Final Kamehameha

• Ki consumed and damage has been increased.

Goku (Mini): Quick Rush

• Trajectory can now be changed while Rushing.

Mr.Satan: Present Bomb

• Increased ending lag after activation.

Character Adjustments

Android 19 / Dr. Gero

• Health/Ki amount absorbed on successful throw has been adjusted.
• Dragon Dash, Quick Ascend, and Quick Descend now consume Ki.

Cell 2nd Form

• You can now escape the throw.

Cooler

• Amount of Health restored upon transforming has been increased.

Great Ape Vegeta / Dr. Wheelo

• Maximum health has been reduced.

That wraps up all the major changes in this Dragon Ball Sparking Zero update, but there could still be future changes if these balancing efforts don't work out exactly like intended.