What just dropped?
Dragon Ball is celebrating 40 years of chaos and Kamehamehas, and Bandai Namco used the party (the aptly named “Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri”) to drop a bomb: a mysterious new game project called AGE 1000. The title is a working name for now, but the gist is clear—this is something big, different, and very much rooted in Dragon Ball lore.
So… what is AGE 1000?
AGE 1000 has been simmering for a long time—roughly six to seven years if you count the initial idea stage. The project promises an all-new world and fresh characters dreamed up by Akira Toriyama himself, who was closely involved with the game’s design and worldbuilding before his passing in 2024. In short: expect new faces, odd planets, and the kind of quirky touches only Toriyama vibes can deliver.
When can we play it?
The team is targeting a 2027 release, but they didn’t announce which consoles or platforms will get it. The word “AGE” refers to a year in the Dragon Ball timeline, which has already sent fans into speculation overdrive. More concrete details are expected at Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2026 in April—mark your calendar if you like surprises (and dramatic reveals).
Meanwhile: DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO DLC incoming
Not everything is a mystery: Bandai Namco and Spike Chunsoft also revealed major DLC plans for DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO. New fighters like Super Saiyan Bardock, Super Android 17 (GT), and Great Demon King Piccolo are on the menu, along with extra stages, outfit and skill customization, and a brand new single-player mode. Sounds spicy.
Platforms and timing for the DLC
The big DLC drop is slated for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam in summer 2026. Nintendo Switch and the forthcoming Switch 2 will get the content later—Bandai Namco says the Switch schedule will differ from other platforms and asks for patience.
Free updates to tide you over
Before the paid DLC rolls out, some free additions will arrive: “Mission 100” (a mission-based challenge mode where you bring your favorite fighters) is set to launch on January 26, 2026 for non-Switch platforms, and a Survival Mode is expected in spring. If you’re into daily grind challenges or testing how long your mains can last, this should hit the spot.
Roadmap notes and final thoughts
For Nintendo fans: the DLC rollout timeline is different for Switch and Switch 2. DLC 1 is planned for Winter 2026 on those systems, with DLC 2, DLC 3, and extra content slated for Spring 2026. Bandai Namco says they’ll share the full, official schedule and visuals later—so stay tuned.
We’ll keep an eye on Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour for any new reveals and will report back with the juicy details (and memes) as soon as they land.
