Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (PS2)

Reviewed by Kit

Hello, boys and girls, Kit here to do a review of this fighting game for you all. Now, I haven't played this as much as Yuuki, though I did play this enough to kick his *** with Shikamaru plenty of times. I'll give you as good a review as I am able, and see maybe when Yuuki is available, he can republish this review with new notes.

Edit: Ok, wrote the review with Yuuki around, so basically his two cents are here as well.

Story: The game is based off the popular anime series by the same name. The show follows naruto on his journey to become the greatest ninja of his village. There is a mission mode, but there isn't too much that actually has a plot. 2/5

Graphics: The art style is similar to that of a comic book, which works out well since Naruto was originally a manga. In fact some of the scenes before the manga are taken directly from the manga. Other than the manga styling though, there wasn't much going for the graphics either way. 3/5

Audio: As you might have noticed, neither Yuuki nor I are terribly impressed with the American voice acting of Naruto. Sadly you are stuck with the American voices because there is no way to turn on the Japanese voices, at least none we found. The background music is from the Amercian version of the anime (which Yuuki tells me is different than the Japanese music). It's not bad, but it's not great. 2/5

Gameplay: Basically you hit buttons to jump, attack, throw weapons, build up chakra, use chakra, or block. Maps usually have multiple layers so you can move back and forth through these. You have three levels of chakra, and you can use one, two, or all three levels. If you have your chakra in use and hit your opponent, you then go into a special move screen. You and you opponent must hit the indicated buttons If you are successful you can do the next special attack, or if you are defending you can decrease damage taken from your opponent's attack. You can purchase special items for collecting if you want. Use points you earn from battle to attempt to win these items from a slot machine. The game is simple to utilize, but no too simple to throw off hardcore fighters. 4/5

Replay: With all the unlockable characters and a good group of friends, the game should keep you occupied for a while. Like any good fighting game, you keep playing until you're so good no one will play with you anymore. 4/5

Overall: With good gameplay and high replay value, Naruto is a good choice. However, with second-rate voice acting, something is lost. Still, visually it works, and I would recommend if you like Naruto and fighting games. 4/5