So, you’ve probably seen the clips. Or maybe you’re currently staring at the screen in disbelief while a massive CGI monkey grabs your Goku by the skull and erases half your health bar in one squeeze. Great Ape Vegeta Sparking Zero is basically the first real "vibe check" of the game. It’s not just a fight; it’s a brick wall that Bandai Namco threw at players to see if they were actually paying attention to the tutorials.
Honestly, the sheer amount of salt on Reddit right now is legendary. Some people are calling it bugged. Others think the AI is cheating. Neither is really true, but the difficulty spike is definitely real. If you’re trying to play this like a standard Budokai Tenkaichi match, you’re gonna have a bad time.
Why the Great Ape Vegeta Fight Feels So Broken
Most of the frustration comes from one word: Armor. In Sparking Zero, giant characters like Great Ape Vegeta don't flinch. You can hit them with a standard rush combo, and they’ll just stand there, mid-punch, and deck you. It feels unfair because, in most fighting games, hitting someone stops them from hitting you back. Not here. Vegeta’s super armor means he can just ignore your basic light attacks.
He's fast too. Like, way faster than a creature that size has any right to be. His dashes cover the entire map in a second. You try to fly away to charge ki? He’s already behind you. You try to hide behind a rock? He shoots a mouth beam that goes right through the terrain.
The Hitbox Jank
There is some genuine weirdness with the hitboxes. If you get too close to his torso, he has this "head squeeze" grab that seems to suck you in from three feet away. It's frustrating. But once you realize that you basically shouldn't be touching him unless you're in a specific state, the fight starts to make sense.
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The Strategy Nobody Talks About
Stop punching him. Seriously. Unless your ki bar is glowing purple and you’re in Sparking Mode, your fists are basically toothpicks against a mountain.
The secret to winning the Transformation episode battle—or even just using him in PvP—is managing the distance. You want to be just far enough away that he starts charging his "I'll Break You" or "I'll Vaporize You" beams.
- Dodge, don't block: His beam attacks hit like a truck even if you guard. If you side-step right as he fires, he’s stuck in the animation for a solid three seconds.
- The Kamehameha Loop: This is the "cheese" everyone uses. Dodge the beam, fire a Kamehameha, then immediately start charging ki while he’s reeling.
- Solar Flare is King: If you're playing as Goku (Early), use Solar Flare. It blinds him. It sounds simple, but it stops his aggression cold and gives you a free window to either charge up or land a massive ultimate.
Playing as Great Ape Vegeta: The PvP Perspective
If you’re the one playing as the monkey, you have a different set of rules. You are a tank. Your goal is to force the opponent to come to you.
Most players will try to spam ki blasts to whittle you down. Use your Super Armor to your advantage. You can literally walk through their light ki blasts and grab them. Once you have them in a grab, the damage is astronomical.
Move List Breakdown
His kit is simple but devastating.
- Chou Makouhou (Mouth Cannon): Great for catching people who are trying to charge at a distance.
- Super Explosive Wave: If they get too close and start doing a Sparking combo on you, this is your "get off me" button.
- Gigantic Press: A jumping smash that deals massive area damage.
The biggest downside? You're a massive target. In a 5v5 DP battle, a skilled player using a fast character like Burter or Dyspo can circle-strafe you until you're dizzy. You have to be patient. Wait for them to commit to a big move, then use your armor to punish them.
Surprising Details About the Fight
Did you know there are actually two different versions of this fight in the story?
If you follow the "canon" path by teaming up with Piccolo to fight Raditz, the Great Ape Vegeta fight is a nightmare. It’s a two-phase battle where you fight him in base form first, then he transforms, and you have to win without a checkpoint.
But if you choose the "What If" path (by not working with Piccolo), you get a much easier version called Great Ape Extermination. You actually get teammates like Tien and Piccolo to help distract him. If you're stuck and just want to progress, looking for those branching paths in the Episode Map is a lifesaver.
Actionable Next Steps for Success
- Go to Training Mode: Practice the Z-Counter. When the Ape goes for a grab, a well-timed Z-Counter teleports you behind him and gives you a massive opening.
- Equip the Right Items: If you’re struggling in Episode Battle, check your player shop for "Ability Up" or "Ki Power Up" capsules. They make a huge difference in how fast you can get into Sparking Mode.
- Watch the Ki Bar: Don't ever let your ki hit zero. If you're out of energy, you can't vanish, and if you can't vanish, Great Ape Vegeta will delete your health bar in one combo.
- Turn off Motion Blur: A lot of players find the camera shake and blur during giant fights disorienting. Turning this off in the settings makes it much easier to see when he's about to swing.
Mastering the Great Ape isn't about being faster; it's about being smarter. Stop the mindless rushing, wait for the opening, and use your Sparking Mode to break his armor. Once you see him stagger, that's when you unload everything. It’s a rhythmic fight, not a brawl. Stick to the plan and that Saiyan pride won't seem so intimidating.