This game is great !!!!
- Very simple to get used to
- Special attacks are great to watch
- Feels like Naruto game should feel
- Lots of missions of keep you busy
Negative
- Missions are just one on one battle with objectives, and some are pretty hard
- Could have had more characters and stages
- Every characters story mode is just 6 battles long
- Lack alot in depth
This is the first Naruto game that was released in America. For the first gaem it made quiet an impression. The game is good but nothing special. The game consists only of one on one battle and the ability to shift areas and planes, dosen't make the game 2D. Otherwise is just 2D, 2 ninjas fighting on a plane, with support characters and maybe ninja tools.
Naruto is a popular anime series, running in Japan since 2003. Ok, its the first game, maybe just for its debut only. In Japan the 2nd game in the series has been released and in December 2005 or 2006, the 3rd will be released. In Japan the game is known as Naruto: Narutimate Hero and not Ultimate Ninja. The action in Ultimate Ninja is pretty fast sometimes. All characters in the game, in the anime are from the beginning to the end of the second exam Arc. That makes the game very short. Well the story mode isn't that bad. You'll unlock all the characters, except 2 in the story mode. The other 2 can be unlocked by completing a number of missions. About the story, each story consists of 6 battles and tells part of the story. If you choose Naruto, Sasuke or Kakashi you'll sure to fight Zaku and Haku, since they are included in the first part of the anime. Not sure with Sakura though.
The special moves are awesome. These can be performed by pressing triangle and go near the enemy and press circle. Every character, except for the 2 unlockable characters have 3 special moves. The other 2 have only one. When in the special move, the move cannot be stop, but the damage can be reduced. By pressing the buttons that he tells you earlier than the other, the attack can be stopped or damage reduced. To do these special attack, you need chakra. Chakra, you can get it by beating up the enemy or smash him to the wall or by holding the down button. Also support characters appear to help you. He can give you chakra, sometimes health, ninja tools and also a chance of him attacking. Unfortunately the support character cannot be chosen and its with the character.
One good thing about the game is that its very easy to pick up. The pace is fast and enjoyable. And make it feel like Naruto. Missions are the only things in the game that can keep you busy for a long time. Completing missions is the only way to get the most powerful 2 characters, according to me. The best 2 characters that can be unlocked in the story mode are Gaara and Orochimaru. Gaara is powerful because he uses his sand to hit from distance or to block. Though he's not invincible. You fight Gaara in the story mode.
The missions are a pain, most of them. They consists of tough tasks. Like stay on the water for 60 sec, from the time. And the time is really SLOW. You'll get the first of the 2 characters by becoming Chunin and the other by becoming Jounin. Also the game could have had more characters and stages. By the way, if you complete 10 battles with the same two ninjas., you will recieve a scroll of the 2 ninjas. The game lacks in depth too. That's what would have made the game much better.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja is great for its style but not its depth. Even though that this game is worth playing but don't expect much from it. It may become repetitive using the same characters. But for fans, the first game in the USA, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja can be great fun.