DBSZ's Roster Would Have Over 240 Characters if it Featured Everyone

Highlights

Sparking Zero will encompass Dragon Ball Super events, introducing new fighters and forms into the mix.
Speculation continues on whether characters from previous Dragon Ball series will return in this highly anticipated game.

The highly anticipated next entry in the classic line of Budokai Tenkaichi games, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is set to bring the arena fighter series into the modern generation of gaming. Known for the mark it made during the days of the PS2, Budokai Tenkaichi 3's popularity lasted the test of time and has finally been rewarded with a successor that will now encompass the events of Dragon Ball Super. It's still unknown when exactly it will arrive, or how many characters will make their way into Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero's roster this time around, but one of its trailers has indicated that the upcoming game could feature more fighters than ever.

In a moment during Sparking Zero's Battle Hour 2024 trailer, what appears to be its full roster is shown off with most of its slots appearing empty, but the game's confirmed characters are present and accounted for. Counting all of these slots adds up to 164 total, only three more than BT3's own massive selection. Assuming the total roster's size based on a promotional image is still pure speculation, however, meaning that Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero may still have the chance to retain everyone after all. If the fourth Budokai Tenkaichi does manage to include every potential fighter from across the Dragon Ball franchise, it will reach far past 164.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Argument For Adding Non-Canon Super Saiyan 3 Forms

The Argument for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero to Add Non-Canon Super Saiyan 3 Forms

Plenty of transformations will be present in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, but the game can do better than just including every established form.

Dragon Ball Characters Viable for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero

The original series that started it all, the story of young Goku in Dragon Ball has maintained a decent presence in the roster of the BT titles. Some of these 20-plus characters are likely to be cut moving forward but may end up staying as part of the franchise's foundation.

Emperor Pilaf Saga

Kid Goku
Great Ape
Chi-Chi
Yamcha
Master Roshi
Master Roshi Max Power
Pilaf Machine
Pilaf Machine Fusion

Tournament Saga

Krillin
Nam

Red Ribbon Army Saga

General Blue
General Tao
Cyborg Tao
Arale
Android #8

Fortuneteller Baba Saga

Grandpa Gohan
Devilman
Chiaotzu

Tien Shinhan Saga

Tien Shinhan

King Piccolo Saga

Demon King Piccolo
Tambourine
Yajirobe

Dragon Ball Z Characters Viable for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero

Dragon Ball Z's major status in anime explains why the majority share of the previous BT roster consisted of its characters. Most of them are almost certain to appear again, bringing the total to above 140 fighters.

Saiyan Arc

Goku (Early)
Kid Gohan
Piccolo (Early)
Vegeta (Scouter)
Great Ape Vegeta
Krillin
Yamcha
Chiaotzu
Tien
Raditz
Great Ape Raditz
Nappa
Great Ape Nappa
Saibamen

Frieza Arc

Goku (Mid)
Goku (Mid) SSJ
Vegeta
Vegeta SSJ
Super Vegeta
Nail
Dodoria
Zarbon
Zarbon Post-Transformation
Captain Ginyu
Guldo
Jeice
Burter
Recoome
Appule
Cui
Frieza Soldier
Frieza 1st Form
Frieza 2nd Form
Frieza 3rd Form
Frieza Final Form
Frieza Full Power
Mecha Frieza
King Cold
King Vegeta

Cell Arc

Teen Gohan
Teen Gohan SSJ
Teen Gohan SSJ2
Piccolo (End)
Trunks (Sword)
Trunks (Sword) SSJ
Trunks
Trunks SSJ
Super Trunks
Android 16
Android 17
Android 18
Android 19
Dr. Gero
Cell Jr.
Cel 1st Form
Cell 2nd Form
Cell Perfect Form
Cell Perfect

Buu Arc

Goku (End)
Goku (End) SSJ
Goku (End) SSJ2
Goku (End) SSJ3
Vegito
Super Vegito
Super Gogeta
Gohan
Gohan SSJ
Gohan SSJ2
Great Saiyaman
Ultimate Gohan
Vegeta (second form)
Vegeta (second form) SSJ
Vegeta (second form) SSJ2
Vegeta (End) Majin
Goten
Goten SSJ
Gotenks
Gotenks SSJ
Gotenks SSJ3
Kid Trunks
Kid Trunks SSJ
Hercule
Videl
Great Saiyaman 2
Supreme Kai
Kibitokai
Babidi
Spopovich
Demon King Dabura
Majin Buu
Majin Buu (Pure Evil)
Super Buu
Super Buu Gotenks Absorbed
Super Buu Gohan Absorbed
Kid Buu

Movies

Future Gohan
Future Gohan SSJ
Cooler
Cooler Final Form
Meta-Cooler
Broly
Broly SSJ
Broly Legendary SSJ
Salza
Slug
Slug Giant
Turles
Great Ape Turles
Dr. Wheelo
Garlic Jr.
Super Garlic Jr.
Fasha
Great Ape Fasha
Bardock
Great Ape Bardock
Android 13
Android 13 Fusion
Zangya
Bojack
Bojack Full Power
Janemba
Super Janemba
Hirudegarn
Tapion
Pikkon

Dragon Ball GT Characters Viable for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero

The potential upcoming return or cut of BT3's characters from this anime has been a topic of speculation. But the non-canon Dragon Ball GT series contains some of the most distinct and memorable transformations in the franchise to many fans, which would make the roster rise above 160 characters.

Black Star Dragon Ball Saga

Goku (GT)
Goku (GT) SSJ
Goku (GT) SSJ3
Gogeta SSJ4
Pan
Uub

Baby Saga

Goku (GT) SSJ4
Baby Vegeta
Super Baby 1
Super Baby 2
Great Ape Baby
Majuub

Super 17 Saga

Super 17

Shadow Dragon Saga

Vegeta (second form) SSJ4
Nuova Shenron
Syn Shenron
Omega Shenron

Dragon Ball Super Characters Viable for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero

The franchise's most recent series, the anime Dragon Ball Super seems set to take up a large portion of Sparking Zero's roster. Even excluding the manga-only arcs of the past few years, the fighters from across Super's animated arcs and films are sure to redefine the BT series, reaching above 240 fighters if they were all included.