Naruto Ultimate Ninja certainly takes it up a notch, but does it really live up to its full potential?

User Rating: 8 | Naruto: Narutimate Hero 3 PS2
I being a Naruto fan (Narutard) myself, will try to make this review as unbiased as I can.
Okay first of all graphics! OMG just amazing! For a PS2 game, this game really has some great character design and the specials and jutsus look really spectacular. I just love the graphics man!
Next, we have the story. The story itself is really shallow. I know for myself that the story should have had more depth to it, but if you do not watch Naruto you will kinda get a general picture of what it's all about. I beat the game in a matter of 1 hour and it was way too easy. Also, there is another mode called Ultimate Contest. This mode pits you into a contest where ninjas fight each other to win points and whoever wins can make a new regulation for Konoha. This will take you a while longer because of all the "dating" (don't get excited perverts) and missions. However, if you want to really BEAT the game it may take you a couple of more hours achieving all the jutsus and specials for every character. I personally think that Gamespot did not really tap into the game deeper and did not bother to set the computer difficulty higher, they might have had a little more of a challenge.
Now it's all about the gameplay. The gameplay for the versus mode is not that deep either, but it's fast paced. All you basically do is substitute, jutsus, then your killer special! However, the fighting can be very intense and fun so it makes up for the lack of depth in it. The gameplay can vary from one player to another. If you own the game, then you are already probably good at it since all you need to do is spam your up, up, O or down, down, O moves (don't pretend that you don't XP). However, if it is ur first time or like your 4th time playing, you will probably get annoyed by losing so much. But, as you play you slowly progress but always manage to end up being behind your friend that has the game. Also, there are some characters that can be so fun to play with, but when someone else uses that character against you, you will certainly get pissed. An example is Curse Seal (Mark) Stage 2 Kidomaru. When you use him, all you do is spam your O and that Destruction Power Bow move. It gets your friends pissed and makes you look like a pro. Now lets say that your friend is using that character. He/she mimics you right off the bat. Spamming moves and constantly annoying you! Now the shoes on the other foot now right? The gameplay options are pretty good too. You can change the difficulty of the computers and you can give other people handicaps.
Other than that, you have a wide variety of interesting gameplay going on here! However, if you are looking for a game with a deep story-line, then stay away from this game. Naruto Ultimate Ninja 3 is more of a classic arcade fighter that you can spend endless hours beating your friends, relatives, or computers! So I would recommend buying the game since it's only like $40 or less and you really have nothing to lose! However, if you don't want to waste your money on a game you feel uncertain about, you should rent this game or borrow it from your friend first.