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GameCube | Fighting | Naruto: Clash of Ninja

Boxart for Naruto: Clash of Ninja
Naruto: Clash of Ninja 60 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 4.0
  • SOUND: 3.5
  • CONTROL: 4.0
  • FUN FACTOR 4.0
  • AVG USER SCORE 3.1
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 3.5

Review: Naruto: Clash of Ninja

Review by Slo Mo | 03/10/2006 | 16:08:36 PM PST

Like Dragon Ball Z before it, Naruto is on the warrior's path from Japanese manga comic to anime to video game. Here's how Clash of Ninja squares off with the GameCube.

Sometimes the fun in a video game design is all about the execution. Clash of Ninja is not a groundbreaking fighting game, but it's tightly crafted and the action packs a powerful punch just by staying true to its anime/manga roots.

Naruto is a teenage ninja-in-training who's out to become the best fighter in his village. His tale has been wildly popular in Japan, and in the U.S. it's just busted out on the Cartoon Network and into manga collections published by Shonen Jump.

The original comic hit the racks in Japan back in 1999, and Clash of Ninja is the English-speaking version of Naruto: Gekitou Ninjyataisen, which debuted for the GameCube in Japan in 2003. Altogether there are currently four Naruto GameCube games, with the second game also slated for release in America by D3 Publishers.

Even though you could rightfully say that this game's so old it's new, in this case that's not a bad thing.

Out from the Shadows
In keeping with the anime style, the visuals are sharp and they should knock Naruto fans out. The cel-shaded character graphics excellently capture the look and feel of all the key characters, and stars from the series: Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Sensei Kakashi, Sensei Iruka, Haku, Zabuza, and Rock Lee are all aboard.

The animation doesn't miss a beat, and this makes the gameplay nimble and quick. There's some fierce, rapid-fire combat happening here.

Kicks Back
As a fighting game, however, Clash won't endear itself to video game martial arts masters since it can sometimes reward rapid button mashing as well as it does technique. The beauty of the design is that beginners have a fighting chance against seasoned pros...at least until the black belts learn to unleash the advanced combos.

The controls overall are as tight as a clenched fist. Successful attacks fill up the Chakra energy meter, which enables you to execute special moves called jutsu's. Busting off one of these ignites visual fireworks, too.

But Naruto doesn't shun the more tactical-minded fighter, either. It features some slick counters that range from the simple to the complex. Properly timing button presses enables you to sidestep and counter or even recover from a sweep or a throw while you're still in the air.

On Target
Clash of Ninja is an engaging, energetic, button-smacking workout whether you're a Naruto fan or not. It just sticks to doing one thing well, and that's throwing down good old one on one, hand-to-hand combat with a healthy dose of ninja magic. Believe it.


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