Naruto: Clash of Ninja

"Ikuzo!"

Naruto is an import title based on the extremely popular manga and anime series of the same name. The game introduces players to the first season of the animes characters through an arcade and story mode. The game has a simplistic yet highly stylized and addicting fighting engine. So sit back while I let you know about one of the GC\'s best fighters (if not one of its best games)

Graphics 10/10: Naruto utilizes the highly popularized cel shading form of 3D animation. Though the graphics are not as nice as the likes of Zelda The Wind Waker or Jet Set Radio, Naruto does have a lot of style. The cel shading is so smooth that it looks nearly like the anime. Characters are sharp and vibrant. The only downside to the graphics is that there are some 2D sprites in the backgrounds. And considering that some backgrounds are not that large...it is a shame to see such little effort applied. Especially when considering that this is a GC title. But all that aside, the graphics are spot on for what they should be. This is the reason why people use cel shading in games. To bring to life an animated feel not found with polygons

Sound 8/10: The voice actors of the Japanese anime are all found here playing their roles for the game, so that helps add to the games style and feel. The music is nothing special, but it fits the mood of the game appropriately. All of the sound effects are your standard affair as well. So nothing really wrong here. But nothing really great to say either.

Control 10/10: Though many are turned off by the Gamecube controller for a fighting game, Naruto handles particularly well. The layout seems very smooth. The shoulder triggers are used for evasion and counters. B is your main attack and A uses your Shuriken. Y is for grabbing people and X unleashes your Chakra attacks. The games engine also helps add to the ease of control. It is a simplistic yet deep battle engine that is akin to Super Smash Bros...but with the combo ability of Marvel Super Heroes. Overall anybody can jump in and play this game in no time flat

Gameplay 10/10: For those who are hardcore Naruto fans and hardcore fighting fanatics...this game has it all. Anime characters, hyper fighting, insane attacks to devastate opponents. The problem is however, that there are few modes of play. The arcade mode and story mode are easy to clear. Beating arcade mode with every character will probably only take 45 minutes. And the story mode limits you to only playing as Uzumaki Naruto. Add to this, the fact that the line up of characters is very small (only 8 characters along with a few hidden variants of others like Naruto and Kakashi) and you can see that this game may only appeal to devoted fans and fighting fanatics. Despite its small roster however, the fighting is the main draw of the game (other than the fact that it is a Naruto game). The fighting engine is easy to control yet it yields an amazing amount of depth. You can execute counters and large and awe inspiring assaults with the simple press of three buttons. The game is as fun to watch as it is to play simply because you feel like you are watching the anime. Even with a few modes of play (that offer progression) and a small roster...the game play itself is so flawless that you wont mind playing through arcade mode time and time again

Overall score 10/10

Cons:
Small roster of characters
Few modes of play

Pros:
Based on a great anime
Incredible anime fighting
Simple yet complex fighting engine
It is a Narto game!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/06/03