Naruto: Clash of Ninja

"Anime to videogames, Naruto is of to a mediocre start"

I am a huge fan of Naruto but am trying to give a straight forward and honest review. Before I start, to all those fans who just watch the English version, check it out in Japanese, it has a lot more action and is not extremely watered down. Or read the original translation in the Shonen Jump Manga.

Fire style Jutsu (7/10)
The game play is very solid. It only requires a button and a direction allowing beginners a fighting chance against veterans. The combos are helpfull but compared to the flashy jutsues, they are no use. This might be to simple for people. Moves also stick close to the Anime and Manga moves. It is also fast paced to up the action. Limited charters are bolth good and bad. For one, you can quickly learn how to handle and perfect all the characters in the game, on the other hand this shortens the game.
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I am going to be the next Hokage (5/10)
The story only follows that of the first 15-20 episodes, this leaves much to be desired. The story mode doesn't cover much and can easily be defeated by a beginner in less than an hour. With limited episodes, a lot of the story is not in the anime and the game is over before you even reach an action filled story arc. Plus it is only through story mode that you may unlock Rock Lee, who comes in the story arc they left out.
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1,000 years of pain (3/10)
The sound is average at best. Usually it tenses up action or brightens when you win, but is hardly noticeable.
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Shadow Doppleganger Jutsu (10/10)
This may be my anime fan talking but I loved the extras. They may be short, but if your a devoted fan they are worth it. They include "emotion pictures", 3 secret characters, information on all of the 8 characters (may be short but provides insight for fans), music from the game and variations of it, and sound effects including a sound test.

The way of a ninja
In the end, if your a fan JUST PICK IT UP. If your not but still interested, wait until it comes down in price. If you don't like it, move on to bigger and better things.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 05/18/06