So, you're staring at the screen and Raditz is just... running. Again. Honestly, it’s one of the most frustrating things in the early game of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. You want that sweet "Side by Side" Sparking Episode, but the guy keeps dodging every Kamehameha like he’s got Ultra Instinct twenty years early.
If you're trying to figure out how to trigger the Raditz vs the Turtle School branching path, you’ve probably realized by now that the game doesn't exactly hold your hand. It’s a trial by fire. You're basically trying to rewrite history with a guy who has a power level in the hundreds against a space warrior who thinks you're a bug.
Here is the deal. You don’t just have to win. You have to win fast.
Breaking the Canon: How to Unlock the Path
The first thing you have to do is make a choice. In the mission "The Earth's Mightiest Duo?!", Piccolo will offer to help you. To get into the Turtle School route, you have to tell him no. You choose to "Go it alone."
This is where things get tricky. Once you’re on the battlefield with Krillin instead of Piccolo, you enter the mission officially titled Raditz vs the Turtle School.
But wait. If you just fight normally and win after a long struggle, the game will still funnel you back toward the regular story where Goku dies. To actually break the timeline and unlock the "Side by Side" Sparking Episode, you have to defeat Raditz quickly. We are talking about a hidden timer of roughly 45 to 60 seconds. If Krillin starts sounding like he’s giving up or says Raditz is too strong, you’ve already missed the window. Restart. Seriously.
The Difficulty Trap
Don't make the mistake a lot of people made at launch. If you have the game set to Lowered Difficulty, you literally cannot unlock the alternate path. The game locks them out. You must be on the Default/Normal difficulty. If you’re struggling and the game offers to lower the difficulty for you after a few losses, say no. If you say yes, you’re just wasting your time if your goal is the "What-If" content.
Strategy: Beating Raditz Before the Timer Ends
Raditz in this game has some annoying "super armor" traits where he doesn't flinch from basic hits unless you’re in a specific state.
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- Sparking Mode is Mandatory: You need to charge your Ki past the limit immediately. Sparking Mode is the only way to consistently stun him and prevent him from just Z-Countering you into oblivion.
- The 20-Hit Rule: While in Sparking Mode, you can chain a massive rush combo. Aim for about 20 hits. Right when he’s about to fall out of the stun, that’s your cue to dump your Ultimate.
- Z-Burst Dash: Don't just fly at him. He will side-step and punish you. Use the Z-Burst Dash (holding Ki charge and mashing the dash button) to zip behind him. If you catch his back, he’s toast.
- Solar Flare Synergy: There’s a specific bit of dialogue where Krillin mentions a new move. If you can time a Solar Flare or use Krillin's support effectively, it creates a massive opening. Some players swear by using a Solar Flare right before an Ultimate to ensure it actually connects.
The goal is to get his health bar down to zero before the dialogue shifts. If Raditz starts talking about Gohan's power level (the famous 1,307 reading), you're usually right on the edge. If the cutscene starts and Goku is still looking beat up, you were too slow.
What Happens if You Actually Win?
If you pull it off, the reward is one of the coolest "What-If" scenarios in the game. Instead of the tragic double-death via Special Beam Cannon, the Turtle School—Goku, Krillin, and eventually Master Roshi—team up with Piccolo for a different finish.
Goku survives.
This isn't just a "good job" screen, either. It opens up the Side by Side path. Since Goku doesn't die, he doesn't go to King Kai's via the afterlife. He stays on Earth. This ripples through the entire Saiyan Saga. You'll eventually see things like Goku being present for the arrival of Nappa and Vegeta much earlier, and even a confrontation with the Ginyu Force that plays out totally differently.
Why This Path Matters for E-E-A-T
Game veterans who remember the Budokai Tenkaichi days know that these branching paths are the soul of the series. Sparking! Zero leans hard into this. The Raditz vs the Turtle School fight is basically the gatekeeper for the rest of the game's creative writing. If you can't pass this speed test, you miss out on about 20% of Goku's total story content.
Quick Checklist for Success
- Check Difficulty: Ensure it is on "Normal."
- Selection: Choose "Go it alone" when talking to Piccolo.
- Speed: Aim to finish the fight in under a minute.
- Ki Management: Spend your Skill Count on Sparking Mode, not just random dodges.
- Ultimates: Only fire them when he is stunned at the end of a rush combo.
If you find that Raditz is still "Sonic Swaying" (that annoying auto-dodge) through all your attacks, try to initiate a clash. Winning a power struggle or a beam clash usually leaves him vulnerable long enough to enter Sparking Mode. It’s tough, but once you see Goku and Krillin standing tall together at the end, the frustration of those first ten retries totally disappears.
To get the most out of your run, make sure you've also unlocked the Pushing the Limit path by beating Raditz quickly while teaming up with Piccolo; it’s a separate branch with its own unique rewards.