"Probably the best of the Naruto GBA Games"

Yes, the claim is right. Having played all of the GBA Naruto games, I have to say that this one takes the cake by far. Naruto RPG: Uketsugareshi Hi no Ishi (I have no clue what that translates to) is an RPG designed by Tomy [Dream Energy!] and follows the original storyline just like the other games do, but much more precisely.

And yes, it is an RPG. Uketsugareshi Hi no Ishi is even more of an RPG than 'Konoha Senki', released a while back, which was a tactics-style RPG. This one is your classic, side-view, ATB, item using, weapon-equipping, monster killing, magic using RPG! ...Damn, I've always wanted to say that!

Anyway, let's get down to specifics...

-Storyline: 10/10
I have to give it that. I always loved Naruto's storyline. The game actually begins at the earliest point out of all of them - when Kakashi first appears and tells the details of the Chuunin Exam to Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke. From there it follows the manga's storyline very well, including some things that you would think wouldn't need to be included. It's all there, though, as far as I can tell! If you haven't read the manga or the anime, then you might miss a thing or two - the game being in japanese doesn't help either - but you should pick up the general gist of it.

-Innovation (and the battle system): 9/10
Okay, so it's not THAT brand new. Let's face it - only so much 'innovation' can be put into RPGs. It's all been done, right? Well, wrong, actually. In the manner of the extremely-well-liked Super Mario RPGs, the battles in the game are highly interactive. Using 90% of the character's techniques, their success and failure will require you to be fast with your fingers and input button combinations based on what technique you're using. It's not completely new, but it really makes you pay attention to what you're doing!
The Time Gauge on the right side is also interesting, because it will show your character's relative timing - those lower on the bar are farther from getting their turns than those higher on the bar. Of course, the top little bit of the bar is normally ignored completely, except for some techniques requiring extra 'charge-up' time. And if one character is almost at his/her turn and the current character attacks, there is also a chance that other characters will join into the attack! Excellent!
What's even better is the game has a 'Combo' system, similar to that of Chrono Trigger, in which two characters can combine attacks and abilities in order to pull off one powerful ability, such as the infamous 'Shadow Shuriken Naruto' used against Zabuza in the manga and anime!

-Graphics: 9/10
Not perfect, I admit they probably could have been a bit more perfected and sharper, but the graphics do still remain true to the anime/manga roots of the series and really bring that out. Quick cutscenes during techniques and group attacks really give you the anime feel as well. It still doesn't seem quite as 'magnificent' as, say, Golden Sun or FFTA, but it's still excellent!

-Sound: 10/10
I have to admit that I loved the sound on this game. A lot. It really did seem like the Naruto anime, even if it wasn't stolen soundtracks or anything. The battle theme somehow really fits the whole 'feel' of Naruto - it's already becoming one of my absolute favorite battle themes of all time. On this game, turn your volume up all the way - you'll want to!

-Control: 8/10
Okay, so the control was very easy in this game. But I had to take two points off simply for the one serious flaw that annoys me senseless - the fact that you can't move diagonally on the map! ARGH! Sorry. It just seems like you'd save a lot of time if you could. Oh well. At least you can move faster by holding B.

-Overall: 9/10
Overall I thought this game was very good, though there were still a couple areas in the basic scheme of things that needed to be improved. However, overall I felt this game was completely and totally excellent and a must-buy for all you Naruto fans - trust me, this game is definitely worth a lot of your time!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/23/04