Update: December 13, 2006
«©NCSX» Naruto crew hit the NDS in a 3D fighting game where sprightly ninja battle it out on sparse 3D battlefields. As is the case with many Naruto games, Kakashi and Tsunade introduce the story to the viewer before the action gets up to speed. The fighting action takes place on the top screen while the touch screen depicts six icons that may be tapped to trigger health recovery, activate techniques, or recuperate chakra. A Story Mode follows Naruto through a battle adventure where opponents are met in sequence. The Versus Mode eschews any tale-telling and gets right into the meat and potatoes of the fighting action. The Wifi function of the game allows up to two players to bout it out but please note that each player must have a copy of the game.

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

NCS Game Notes
» The controls:

X.....Jump (there is no double jump)
Y.....Weak Attack
B.....Strong Attack
A.....Activate Rasengan
L.....Teleport
R.....Guard

Pressing "X" to jump followed by pressing "B" forces Naruto to throw out stars at his opponent. The lift that the jump provides only gives Naruto enough time to shoot out two stars before he hits the ground.

» Attacks may be chained together but the Teleport action adds an interesting wrinkle to the standard attack chain where Naruto may smash and enemy thrice and then teleport behind the opponent to continue bashing and so on and so forth. By performing this cheap trick, some of the CPU opponents are easily dominated... especially if they don't have their guard up or counter the cheapness. This doesn't work on Kakashi however who guards like a champ and counterattacks very quickly. It's also difficult to hit Kakashi with stars since he blocks or dodges them.

» After each successful battle, the hero stands around and announces his superiority.

» The first mode is STORY MODE which takes Naruto through a fighting adventure where the bouts are broken up with interactive interludes which relay a tale along. The first battle is against Shikamaru followed by Neji followed by Rock Lee, Sakura, Kakashi, and Maito Gai.

» The second mode is VERSUS MODE where seven characters are available: Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, Rock Lee, Shikamaru, and Hyuuga Neji. You select the character and then select the character to fight against.

» The action runs snappy and fast. We were pleased with the flow and rhythm of the battles. Note however that if you're looking for a Naruto Daikesshu, you won't find it here. The game is more like the Naruto Gekitou Taisen fighting games from the Gamecube than the mission-based platform action games of Naruto Daikesshu Saikyou.

Jan Code: 4904810745211

This document is ©NCSX 2006. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.