The latest DBZ game features over 120 super saiyan from Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Theater Edition. A total of 16 large battlefields allow fighters to soar and jet around as if they were starring in an episode of DBZ. The freedom of movement in Sparking! allows a fighter to dash away from a battle or close distances quickly. The Story Mode allows for character development and background storytelling, a Versus Mode pits players against each other, and a Tournament Mode starts off with eight fighters which eventually whittles down to two top bruisers.

All preorders will include a bonus Space Pod digital clock. While supplies last, we will also include the timepiece with new orders.

View the back cover, a photo of the bonus clock, and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

NCS Game Notes
» Spike developed the game for Namco Bandai.

» In the intro to the game, blue skies appear with wisps of clouds providing clutter. The DBZ Sparking! Neo logo pops into view followed by a crisp cel-shaded Goku and other saiyans who pose and gesticulate in mid-air. Other images soon appear in beautifully animated sequences. The song "Cha-la Head-Cha-La" plays to a rousing frenzy as the saiyans continue to impress viewers with their moves, close-ups, and imposing attacks. The logo flows on screen again followed by fighters who later clear out.

» The Story Mode begins with a voice over and an image of seven Dragon Balls as the announcer goes over the story arc. Goku appears and voice acts his way to introducing the game while Son Gohan and Trunks clown around in the background.

» In the first scene, players control Piccolo who is floating in mid-air above a city while the howling winds may be heard whistling around him.

CONTROLS
L-Analog..........Movement
R-Analog..........Camera swivel
R1-Trigger........Ascend
R2-Trigger........Descend
L1-Trigger........Look left and right
L2-Trigger........Burst move ahead. Hold for a sustained flight
O-Button..........Block
X-Button..........Hurtle forward
Triangle...........Laser burst attack
Square............Punch

» Fly Piccolo to the red point on the map and then press O. He'll face off against Raditz with his big black hair, bulging muscles and eye visor. After a short interaction, a battle begins. Piccolo's at Level 8 but Raditz is at level 227.

» The first battle was a bit disconcerting because of the speed and intensity of Raditz's attacks. When he knocks Piccolo back, the green saiyan will fly a few hundred feet but pressing the "O-Button" will slow his velocity until Piccolo drops like a sack. After Raditz defeats Piccolo by default, he flies off. Next, Goku appears in the skies and move him to the island where Piccolo was just defeated and press "O" again to drop down onto it. In Goku's battle against Raditz, the fight will take place in the skies above, on land, and then under the water.

» When using Goku, he may grab an enemy by the toe by pushing up on the L-analog and pressing the "X-Button." Goku will then swing his opponent around and then hurl him into the distance like a projectile of meat. When being pummeled by an opponent, press the "O button" to break up attacks and reverse them with a counterattack. Guard breaks may also be enacted to pierce a fighter's defensive posture. Fighters may block low, middle, or high.

» When fighters get beat down and knocked to the ground, their clothing changes from crisp and pristine to dirt-covered, tattered, and ratty. The hapless fighter's skin also suffers the effects of crashing into the ground at high velocities.

» Fighters may transform during the course of a battle from saiyan to super saiyan.

» When defeated, "LOSER" appears on screen in blue lettering.

» There's Japanese voice acting galore in the game. Production values are high all around.

» A character gallery allows players to flip through pages of fighters with biographies and check out a character viewer where a fighter may be viewed in 3D and rotated, flipped, and scoped out from all angles. 25 characters are viewable at the outset of the game. A music gallery features 21 songs including the title song "Cha-la Head-Cha-La," "Dan Dan Kokoro Hikareteku," "Mind Power," and others. All data is unlocked and viewable at the outset of the game.

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