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Impressive Graphics but Audio Needs Work

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 25 / 30
Date: July 01, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Naruto began as a manga series which then became anime - and now it's a Playstation 2 fighting game. The graphics are quite impressive!

As with most fighting games, you begin with only a few characters and unlock more as you go. It unlocks items pretty quickly as you go - but unfortunately there aren't that many total characters for you to work with. There are 12 characters plus 2 modified characters (different forms of existing characters). Each person has his or her own support character.

I was really quite impressed by the graphics. It's not that they are photo-realistic - it's more like you are playing in a well drawn, artistic, smooth anime world. The shadows in the dusky treehouse area, the harsh brightness of the industrial area, each location has an integrated appearance. You can switch back and forth between some locations on command. The water has small ripples, the background items are often destructable.

When you perform actions, you get little "Japanese motion symbols" just as you would see in a manga. The cloud motion, light flares, shading are all done with a drawing style. It is really impressive to compare this with early fighting games to see just how far we've come from 'blocks of pixels moving' to a visual experience.

Unfortunately, the sound is just not up to the same quality level. The background noises get INCREDIBLY repetitive after only a few minutes. You're almost tempted to turn down (or off) the sound and play with your own music playing. Not only do the phrases get said thousands of times in a row - but some of the Japanese words are clearly mispronounced.

The fighting action is rather fun - surely by now fighting games have perfected the interactivity part of the game. You get a number of styles, and in addition to the quick-memorized button mashing portion, there is a high powered attack that involves both characters doing a quick combination of keys to perform the higher powered action.

The unlocking portion of the game is both fun and extremely tedious. It's fun because you can unlock hundreds of items - every single sound clip, every single video clip, etc. etc. If there's something you want to review, you can get it into your library. On the other hand, you would have to play for months to get enough points to unlock them all, and it's a random chance of what you get to see for a given unlocking.

Still, that's a minor complaint. All of those unlocked libraries are just extra, anyway. The main part of the game - the fighting - is quite fun and if you're a Naruto fan, there's not much more you could hope for from this. Enjoy!

Great buy for the PS2 platform

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 13
Date: November 20, 2006
Author: Amazon User

My brother first introduced me to "Naruto" the show, and I ended up liking it, though I usually try to steer clear of all the Japanese manga things. I played this game, and I really thought it was going to suck, but turns out, it didn't.

*Graphics-- My rating: 3.5/5 stars
The graphics in this game were ok, they could have been better and way more realistic looking. But then, since this game is based off of a cartoon-like show, it seems reasonable that the gameplay scenery should also look like this.

*Voice Acting/Dialogue-- My rating: 5/5 stars
The voice acting in this game is superb, it sounds just like the show. The dialogue, too, seems like it-- you never find yourself confused because that character would never say that. The only thing that bugged me was that there was a lot of the "??!" in dialogue (interpreted by the actors as HUH? or UH!), and it got kind of annoying.

*Fighting Style-- My rating: 5/5 stars
The fighting in this game is great because you can do all kinds of moves and they're not too hard to figure out, like they are in the "Tekken" series. You can also do the moves and specials that you've seen the characters do in the show. Also, there's no blood, so nothing for parents to complain about.

*Overall Gameplay Difficulty-- My rating: 4/5 stars (INTERMEDIATE)
I liked the gameplay in this game. I usually don't play fighting games that often, so I opted for the story modes. These are very easy, and beginners to the fighting genre will like that it is not too challenging so that they can learn the moves at their own speed. But the game is also for people that are experts at this sort of thing: the Mission modes are just like the ones in the show. You start off at Training, D-rank & C-rank missions which are easier; and then you get to B-rank & A-rank, which should definitely pacify lots of competitive gamers because they are HARD!!

Overall Game Rating: 4.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed playing this game, it's a good buy for the PS2.

Truly a great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: July 04, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is my 2nd favorite PS2 Game ever (the first being One Piece Grand Battle) You can play as 14 characters, and you have more variety than in Clash of Ninja. I like Ultimate Ninja better.

Unlocked Characters:

Naruto Uzumaki
Sasuke Uchiha
Sakura Haruno
Kakashi Hatake
Rock Lee
Shikamaru Nara

Locked Characters:

Neji Hyuga
Hinata Hyuga
Haku
Zabuza Momochi
Gaara
Orochimaru
Cursed Marked Sasuke
Kyubi Naruto

There are also 12 different stages. (did I mention you can switch mid-combat?)

Each character have multilevel super attacks with different strengths that can eliminate more than half of an enemy's life bar in a single maneuver.

Overall, this is a very good game.

Way better than CoN and like SSM. This game is hot!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: July 04, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Gameplay: Naruto Ultimate Ninja has a similar style to Super Smash Bros. Melee. When you start the game, it may be a little difficult to keep up, so I recommend for you to practice first. In the game you can pick up alot of items for different functions, some for attacking, other for health and some for effects. You also fight in two planes, each time you change the plane, you recover health. There are alot of combos, more than dbz budokais, maybe except dbz budokai 3, and way more than Naruto CoN.
The variety of characters aint so diverce, but its still good. In game, you can select Story Mode, Mission Mode, Free Play and Versus, plus the shop, were you can buy alot of items, including clothes, music, clips, toys and trading cards. Remember I told you guys there were 14 characters? Well here they are: Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Lee, Kakashi, Shikamaru, Neji, Hinata, Haku, Zabuza, Gaara, Orochimaru , Naruto Kyubi and Sasuke Cursed Marked. There are more than 6 supers and 7 in some cases, there are 3 styles for the supers, first form, second form, and third form, which is the most powerful one.
There are button combos to perform the supers, if you fail in attacking then it will damage less, if you fail in defending, it will damage you normally.

Graphics: Graphics are like SSBM, sometimes better when you enter the fighting cut-scenes.

Sound: For those who love the jap. ver., I recommend to skip all the Naruto parts. For those who watch it in english then you'll have no problem.

Value: The game is worth the $40. But if you're not a Naruto fan, then I recommend you rent it first.

Overral: Great game, not so much characters, alot of awesome combos, cool game modes, good graphics and a big divercity of items. Naruto UN is definately worth the Naruto title.

Horrible Dubs: Another Great Game Ruined by Poor Voice Actors

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: October 03, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I've been watching the Naruto series for a while now, and i was excited when i found out they finally brought this game to the US.

The graphics are quite impressive, and the gameplay is different from any fighting game, making it loads of fun. There's tons of unlockables so the fun will last you for a while.

The game engine somehow reminds me of Super Smash Brothers, with the assists and items thrown at you, it stays true to the series.

Now as for the audio goes, the music on this game is great. I've never played the original import game, but i'm assuming they kept the original BGM and all the music since it's got that classic Japanese sound mixed with a little rock just like the Naruto anime. However, what really disappointed me was the voices. I was glad that the game came to the US because i like to be able to understand the manuals and menus on my games, but whoever did the dub for this series really messed up. Probably the worst character's voices are Naruto, Jiraya and Kakashi, some of the main characters. Naruto's voice is so annoying i'm thinking of getting rid of this game, his voice sort of resembles its original japanese counterpart, what makes him extremely annoying is the fact that he says "Believe it!" at the end of every damn sentence! even if it doesnt make sense! The game does NOT have the option for Japanese voices, so you're pretty much stuck with the crappy American voice actors.

Overall this game is great, but don't buy it if you're used to the Japanese Anime and you're expecting to re-live the great experience that is the Naruto series with its original voice actors. I'm hoping they'll add the Japanese Voice feature for a Greatest Hits re-release of this game, just like Funimation did for Dragonball Z Budokai 3.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja.......

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 10
Date: August 26, 2006
Author: Amazon User

For a fan of fighting games, this one surprised me with a one, two punch....believe it! Considering I've only read one issue of Shonen Jump and the Naruto manga, and not seeing the anime at all; I didn't know much about the series. But, now that I've played this game...you can bet a bowl of ramen that I'm going to get to know this property very well.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja has over 14 characters to choose from(which I, personally, feel is too small a list) and 12 levels to fight upon. The 12 levels themselves play alot like those in Power Stone(ala Sandbox-style)with power-ups given to you along the stage itself by other Naruto characters. One good thing, though, is that the battles last a good while so you'll get your game on there.

While a good bit of the fighting is like any other fighting game, there's a part of the game that makes it totally unique. Let me explain. See, each character has various special techniques they can use while battling. They all require energy that you build while fighting. Each has three power levels. Once executed, the game switches play completely. This makes room for extreme anime-style fight scenes. On the two sides of the screen sit gauges with different button sequences. Hit them in the correct order and the attacker delivers maximum damage. If the victim get his or her button sequences right, then the damage is reduced somewhat. It's an interesting fighting system that makes the game feel different than your ordinary standard fighter and it makes a huge difference as to whether you win or lose. Another thing that sets it apart is its' visual style. Pop the game in your PS2 and play a few rounds & you'll see exactly what I mean.

If what I'm reading in other reviews as well as news on some gaming sites, this isn't the last game Japan has seen of Naruto. If that's so, considering as to how Naruto is beginning to be a hot property here, we'll be seeing more Ultimate Ninja games come soon. I, for one, can't wait. I've had an absolute blast with this game.

I love it, believe it!

THE BEST GAME EVER !!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: July 04, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game when it first came out. I beat it in 3 days! What i cant figure out is how to get curse marked sasuke and nine tailed fox naruto. Even if you are not a fan you should still play it or rent it

A Fighting Game Legend of the Year

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: July 07, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Ok this is one of the best fighting games ever,buy the game.
the only problem was that there was not a lot of fighting techniques.there was a reasonable ammount of characters but there is bound to be more in Naruto:UltimateNinja2
anyway,this was a really cool game I beat it in less than a day!

YOU MUST READ THIS NARUTO FAN OR NOT

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: July 25, 2006
Author: Amazon User

this game isnt just one of those fighting games like after you win it stays in the game droor and gets dusty with all the others. This game is a game you will not want to stop playing.In scenario mode you do things from the show but in mission mode its even better. You could be a genin go through the chunin exams etc. There's 7 levels of Ninjas. You can be an Academy Student, Genin, Chunin, Special Jonin, Jonin, the Hokage's special force Anbu Black Ops, and even Naruto's dream a Hokage.You can relive the show once you master this game it feels great to smack the little charachters around every now and then and get paid to get bonus material for it. You should pick this game up especially if you're a Naruto fan.

Ultimate Ninja- and then some!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: August 19, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Following from the hit manga in Japan, and recently being shown on Cartoon Network, Naruto has been hitting the US with cool jutsu's and an awesome and imaginative story for all ages to enjoy. And now, we can play as Naruto as long as we want, and believe me when I say "LONG". With 12 playable field that is interactive, 14 playable characters with the voice acting from the TV show, and countless battles to face off in the missions,scenerios, and free battles, you'll never get bored for days.

Though this game doesn't follow any particular story, what is lacked in depth is made up in style. The fighting style is nearly flawless. Espcecially the secret techniques is capivating that you cannot get sick of. The music of the game fits very well, and as mentioned, the voices from the TV show use their talents to dub the characters in this game, so fans wouldn't be dissapointed. Get ready for long hours of long lasting enjoyment.

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