Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 may not be the "ultimate" ninja game (that's a bit like aspiring to be the utimate Pope), but it's still loaded with enough content and features to keep fans of the series happy for hours.

At its core, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 isn't too different from Ultimate Ninja 2, so fans of the series will be comfortable with the latest installment. The game's single-player mode, Ultimate Contest, shockingly revolves around an ultimate contest. Naruto fights against his friends and rivals for point-worthy crystals and renown by running around his hometown of Hidden Leaf Village and issuing challenges. If the player feels like slacking a little, Naruto can take on missions from troubled townsfolk, train with Iruka-sensei and buy items (and of course, ramen) to aid him in the tournament.

Ninja With a Mission

Ultimate Ninja 3's adventure element entwines well with the fighting aspect of the game, adding significant content to an otherwise straightforward battle-story. Admittedly, exploring Hidden Leaf village becomes bland at times. The empty streets make it seem as if an air-raid siren has just gone off, with the village's few citizens huddling in their shacks.

The fighting itself is basic button-mashing: Quick and mindless, no skill needed. Unlike the recently-released DS title Naruto: Ninja Destiny, however, the wide variety of environments and the ability to jump between planes keeps things furious and fun. Ultimate Ninja 3 offers a Summoning Mode, allowing characters to call enormous monsters into battle. It looks as cool as can be imagined, thanks in part to the game's cel-shaded graphics.

The Ninja Speaks

Much of the game's dialog is voice-acted. Players have the welcome option of switching between the anime's dub cast and the original Japanese voice actors. The game's music is suitable for ninja antics, although there is a grating "Yoh!" accompanying any affirmative choice you make from a menu.

Regardless of its flaws, the depth of Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 gives fans good reason to dust off their PS2s and jump around.

Pros: Lots to see and do. Plenty of features and options.
Cons: The fighting breaks down into skill-free button-mashing.

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gaszine

cos inthe ninja2 didnt you notice that the fighting style are the same and the whole story got mixed up,for instance, naruto didnt release kyuubi(fox)when fighting against neji inthe episode but when Orchimaaru.He didnt fightwith haku for the second time.but it looks like they stop allthose mistakes in ninja3.dont you agree?

rain_maker

I wish there was a really good naruto game somewhere, the closest you can get seems to be ultimate stars

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