You’re standing there, credit card in hand, staring at the digital storefront. It’s been fifteen years. Fifteen years since Budokai Tenkaichi 3 redefined what an arena fighter could be, and now Bandai Namco finally dropped the successor. But here’s the rub: they’re dangling a Dragon Ball Sparking Zero preorder bonus in front of your face like a carrot on a very expensive stick. You want to know if you're getting played. Honestly, I get it. The gaming industry has turned preordering into a psychological minefield, but with Sparking Zero, the "bonus" isn't just a shiny skin or a digital soundtrack you’ll never listen to. It’s about time and power.
The Character Headliner: Who is Goku (Mini)?
Let's talk about the big one. The exclusive preorder incentive is a playable character: Goku (Mini) from the Dragon Ball Daima series. If you didn't know, Daima is the newest anime entry where everyone gets turned small, and having him as a day-one roster addition is a weirdly specific flex.
Here is the thing—he’s an exclusive "preorder bonus" but he isn't necessarily "preorder only" in the way some people think. Usually, Bandai Namco eventually releases these characters as paid DLC six months down the line. But right now? If you don't preorder, your roster is going to have a glaring greyed-out box where the tiny Saiyan should be. It’s a FOMO tactic, plain and simple. If you’re a completionist who needs every single transformation and variation of Goku (and there are dozens in this game), missing out on Mini Goku feels like a gut punch.
The character itself plays differently. He’s small, harder to hit, and uses his Power Pole significantly more than the adult versions of Goku. It's a throwback to the original Dragon Ball vibe but with the high-octane physics of the Sparking engine. Is he "meta"? Hard to say yet. Is he a fun novelty? Absolutely.
Early Unlocks: Breaking the Progression System
The Dragon Ball Sparking Zero preorder bonus also includes early unlocks for six specific characters. This is where the value proposition gets murky for some players. You aren't "buying" these characters; you're just skipping the grind to get them.
The list includes:
- Gogeta (Super)
- Gogeta (Super Saiyan)
- Gogeta (SSGSS)
- Broly (Super)
- Broly (Super Saiyan)
- Broly (Full Power Super Saiyan)
Basically, you get the heavy hitters from the DBS: Broly movie immediately. Usually, in these games, you’d have to beat the story mode or spend a massive amount of Zeni in the shop to unlock the fused Saiyans and the Legendary Super Saiyan. By preordering, you have the "nukes" ready for online play from minute one.
Some purists hate this. They want to earn their way up from Krillin to Blue Gogeta. But if you’re planning on jumping straight into ranked matches? You kind of need these guys. Imagine going into a lobby and your opponent pulls out a Full Power Broly while you’re still stuck with early-Z Saga characters because you haven't finished the "Episode Battle" mode yet. It’s an efficiency play.
The Three-Day Head Start
If you spring for the Deluxe or Ultimate Editions, the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero preorder bonus expands into the realm of "Early Access." You get to play the game three days before the official global launch.
This has become a controversial staple of modern AAA gaming. You’re essentially paying a premium to not be spoiled by social media. For a game like this, where the "What If" scenarios in the story mode are a huge draw, those three days are a lifetime. People will be posting the secret endings and the "Sparking Episodes" on YouTube within hours of the early access launch. If you care about discovering those branching paths yourself, those three days are the most valuable part of the package.
Deluxe vs. Ultimate: Where Does the Bonus End?
It's easy to get confused. The base game preorder gets you Goku (Mini) and the early unlocks. But the higher tiers add the Season Pass.
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The Season Pass is a massive beast. It covers the first three DLC packs, which are expected to include over 20 playable characters from Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and Dragon Ball Daima. If you preorder the Deluxe Edition, you’re basically betting that the game will be good enough to keep you playing for the next year.
The Ultimate Edition adds a "Super Weapon" (likely a cosmetic or a specific item for the custom battle mode) and the ability to summon Super Shenron. Now, regular Shenron and Porunga are in the base game, but Super Shenron usually grants "greater" wishes—likely rare outfits or a massive influx of Zeni. It’s a shortcut for people who have more money than time.
Why This Game is Different from FighterZ or Xenoverse
I’ve seen people comparing this to Dragon Ball FighterZ. Stop. FighterZ was a 2D competitive fighter. Sparking Zero is a simulator. The preorder bonuses here matter more because the roster is so bloated (over 180 characters). In a game this big, having specific unlocks early allows you to focus your "training" on the characters you actually want to main.
There is a nuance here most people miss: Custom Battles. This game lets you create your own scenarios. If you want to create a "Gogeta vs. Everyone" gauntlet, you can't do that if Gogeta is locked behind a 10-hour campaign. The preorder bonus essentially unlocks the "Creative Mode" potential of the game much faster.
The Realistic Downside
Let's be real for a second. Preordering is always a risk. We’ve seen games launch with broken servers or balancing issues. While the gameplay footage for Sparking Zero looks incredible—the environmental destruction is genuinely next-gen—there’s always that lingering fear.
If you don't care about Goku (Mini) and you don't mind playing the story mode to unlock Broly and Gogeta, there is almost zero reason to preorder the standard edition. You can save your money and wait for the reviews. The "Early Unlocks" are just that—early. They aren't exclusive. You will get them eventually just by playing the game.
However, if you are a die-hard who plans on spending 500 hours in the lab perfecting your vanish-reversals, the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero preorder bonus is a logical step. It removes the barriers between you and the high-tier gameplay.
Actionable Steps for Choosing Your Version
If you're still on the fence, here's how you should actually approach this purchase. Don't just click the most expensive one because the art looks cool.
First, check your platform. If you’re on PC (Steam), the "Preorder Bonus" is usually handled via a digital key. If you buy from a third-party site, make sure they explicitly state the preorder DLC is included. Consoles are more straightforward, but physical copies often have the code inside the box—if you buy a physical copy after launch day, you might still get the bonus if the box is from the first "Day One" printing.
Second, evaluate your "Daima" interest. If you haven't watched the new show or have no interest in the "Mini" versions of characters, the biggest exclusive of the preorder is lost on you. Goku (Mini) is the only "unique" piece of content that you can't just unlock by playing.
Third, look at your schedule. That three-day early access usually starts on a Tuesday or Wednesday. If you work a 9-to-5 and can't play until the weekend anyway, the early access is a waste of money. The "Global Launch" on Friday would be your start date regardless.
Fourth, consider the Season Pass. Bandai Namco games almost always have a "Gold" or "Ultimate" edition on sale for 50% off six months after release. If you can wait, you'll save $40. If you can't wait because the hype is melting your brain, the Deluxe Edition is the "sweet spot" for value. It gives you the preorder bonuses and the future characters without the fluff of the Ultimate Edition's "Ultimate Pack" cosmetics.
Ultimately, the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero preorder bonus is designed for the person who wants the "complete" experience without the wait. It’s for the fan who wants to see the "What If" where Raditz turns Super Saiyan or where Future Trunks meets his father from a different timeline, and they want to do it the second the servers go live. If that's you, pull the trigger. If you're just a casual fan, stay patient. The game will still be there on launch day, and Broly will be waiting for you to unlock him the old-fashioned way.
Check your local retailer or digital storefront for regional pricing, as the "value" of these bonuses fluctuates depending on whether you're paying in USD, Euros, or Yen. Make sure you redeem your codes before the expiration date—usually listed in the fine print on the voucher—or you’ll find yourself with a standard roster and a lot of regret.
Once the game is installed, head straight to the "Library" or "DLC" management tab on your console to ensure Goku (Mini) is actually downloaded. Sometimes the preorder entitlement doesn't trigger automatically, and you have to "purchase" the free license manually from the store. Do this before you start the story mode so he shows up in your character selection screen immediately.