Naruto coming to the DS

TOKYO--Naruto is coming to the Nintendo DS, according to the latest issue of Shonen Jump magazine. Based on the anime that Tomy first brought to the gamers in 2003, Naruto: Saikyou Ninja Daikesshuu 3 will be released in Japan on April 21 for the price of 4,800 yen ($46).

Naruto: Saikyou Ninja Daikesshuu 3 marks the first game in the Naruto series to be released for the DS. The ninja-action tale began as a manga and anime about the life of an orphan, Uzumaki Naruto. A number of games followed, first for the Game Boy Advance and then for the GameCube. Like the GBA versions, Naruto: Saikyou Ninja Daikesshuu 3 for the DS is a side-scroller in which players take on the roles of Naruto and his friends.

Although publisher Tomy has yet to release many details on Saikyou Ninja Daikesshuu 3, Shonen Jump did publish screenshots showing that players will use the DS's top screen to play, while the bottom screen will show portraits of various characters. Players use the bottom screen to execute attacks.

The game will also feature a number of new options for gamers, including running and jumping on and off of walls. In addition, characters will be allowed to stockpile weapons, rather than having to use them immediately, as in previous games.