Post by StarrkJow on Mar 27, 2011 1:57:38 GMT -5
There are a lot of Naruto games out there and I've played the vast majority of them (for better or worse). Here are my top ten picks.
10. Naruto Clash of Ninja: Looking back this really doesn't qualify as a top ten pick in most respects but it gets the 10 spot because it was the catalyst for the flood of Naruto games that have come since (srsly, it's getting almost as bad as DBZ games). It only has 8 characters but it's tekken like combat was the basis for a great series of Nintendo system Naruto games.
9. Naruto Ultimate Ninja: Following just a few months after Clash of Ninja, Ultimate Ninja started the Sony and now Xbox stream of Naruto games and showcased a more unique and stylish way to play. It played like super smash and looked like a manga come to life. Plus it introduced the series staple of including things in the American version of the game that the American broadcast hadn't gotten to yet. (Why is Gaara turning into a monster and why is Sasuke using lighting blade?) lol
8. Clash of Ninja 2: Easily the biggest jump forward in the series, CoN2 introduced a much larger cast and four player battles that kicked ass. It also introduced series staples of including lesser known characters as playable fighters such as Mizuki and forcing you to save up ungodly amounts of money to buy characters, stages, etc.
7. Rise of Ninja: I had my doubts when Ubisoft of all people decided to make a Naruto game, but they ended up producing something pretty decent. It had its flaws with platforming and I wasn't a fan of the jutsu system but it was the most successful at turning Naruto into an action-adventure title instead of the usual fighting genre (much better then the horrible Uzumaki Chronicles). Plus it had a great explorable village and online play. Plus, this and Broken Bond are the only Naruto games to actually use Toshiro Masuada's orignal soundtrack.
6. Ultimate Ninja Storm: I really think Rise of Ninja was the catalyst for CyberConnect to choose to move into the 3rd dimension. That being said, CC2 did it marvelously. Silky smooth cel shaded graphics and character animations and a surprisingly smooth adaption/conversion of the Ultimate Ninja playstyle really made this game great. However, while this game had all of that as well as an good open world village it really failed when it came to fan service. Its story was a half-assed abridged version and it went through the first 136 episodes but left out some of the most important characters. No Zabuza? No Sound Four? WTF CC2!?
5. Gekitou Ninja Taisen 4 (Clash of Ninja 4): Of all the choices, this one is the most personal as far as a top ten choice. It never made a US release thanks to the release of the Wii (ConR2 doesn't count!) but that didn't stop it from rocking. A fantastic roster and the inclusion of great 3 man squad play as well as allowing transformations mid-battle instead of having seperate characters were definitely great features. The three man squad thing ended up getting out of hand though. Srsly, look up GNT4 infinites and watch the crazy 3 man squad cancels. There are some crazy combos there, but still, so many great tourneys with this game. Plus, have you heard the final valley theme for this game? (Yes, they used it in CoNR2)
4. Ultimate Ninja 3: If you're looking for the most inclusive pre-shippuden game that actually made an American release then look no further. This game effectively covers all 136 episodes of the original series and includes all major characters and battlefields. It's only flaw being that it doesn't really change much anything regarding the base game mechanics. Well, aside from adding transformations that is. It also had several signature moves for each character that could be edited before battle and could even be used by other characters (It kind of got out of hand when you're having a Rasen-dori battle between Shino and Zabuza tho
). It just has a lot and is all inclusive. Fun fact, this is the first game to include both Minato and Anbu Kakashi and it's the only game (Outside of UN4 and 5. They don't really count since they're just rehashed as pre-timeskip characters) to include Shizune, Konohamaru, Hanabi, and The First and Second hokage's as playable characters. (I think Ninja Storm had them as DLC but only as supports)
3. Clash of Ninja Revolution 3: Technically this is just Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX2 with Hidan and Kakuzu from EX3 but as far as US releases go this is the most complete CoN package out there. A great cast, online play, as well as tag team battles with assist functionality definitely make this the best Wii Naruto game out there. Revolution 1 and 2 were jokes, glad to see that 8ing more than made up for it with the 3rd.
2. Ultimate Ninja Storm 2: You can't deny the beauty this game offers up as an Anime game. It's by far the best looking one out there and it stays true to the style of the Anime. UNS was cool but it left a bitter taste in my mouth from lack of fan service. UNS2 really stepped up its game to fans as well as providing a surprisingly accessible and well abridged tale to those new to the series. I just wish they didn't make us trudge through absolutely pointless backdrops and stupid side-quests just to get to the awesome boss fights. And, I've always hated the Ultimate Ninja music but the midi sounds actually let themselves very well to this game. At least as far as the more piano focused songs go. I'll save my long term competitive thoughts aside on this one and just focus on the fact that it's going to be tough to beat the standard that this game set. Well, the next game on the list is a little better.
1. The Broken Bond: This game went neck and neck with ultimate ninja storm a couple years back. Both vying for the fans attention. And while I had been ogling at NUNS at first, getting to spend some time with this title showed me how this title was not only leaps and bounds better then NUNS but that it was easily the best Naruto game out there. Even now, NUNS2 comes close, but this game still excels in areas that NUNS2 couldn't quite reach. One of the surprising strengths of this game is that instead trying to encompass the entire series (or at least as far as the series was/is at the time) the way that most Naruto games do, Broken Bond takes a small section of the tale (In this case seasons 4 thru 6 of the original series) and really focuses on the storytelling of those arcs and how the "bond" between the two main characters is developed and subsequently broken. And, it tells it effectively. Well, as effectively as a licensed product telling something that has already been told can tell it lol. Further than story though, is the fact that it really stays true to Naruto from a gameplay aspect as well. Using your team effectively both in and out of combat takes the forefront of this title and it's used in some really creative ways. Plus, this game has the sweetest tree jumping mini-game out there. I'm still not a fan of how jutsu is handled in and out of combat but it does stay true to the series and it makes things more interesting then just hitting the special button like most other games. I just feel like it slows things down too much. This game isn't going to win any graphics awards and it's one of the biggest offenders for absolutely pointless sidequests and reusing environments, but it's focused, pays great homage to the show not just in its characters and graphics but in how the game feels and plays out, and it does a great job at really emphasizing the development between Naruto and Sasuke.
So these are my opinions. Feel free to leave yours or comment on mine.
10. Naruto Clash of Ninja: Looking back this really doesn't qualify as a top ten pick in most respects but it gets the 10 spot because it was the catalyst for the flood of Naruto games that have come since (srsly, it's getting almost as bad as DBZ games). It only has 8 characters but it's tekken like combat was the basis for a great series of Nintendo system Naruto games.
9. Naruto Ultimate Ninja: Following just a few months after Clash of Ninja, Ultimate Ninja started the Sony and now Xbox stream of Naruto games and showcased a more unique and stylish way to play. It played like super smash and looked like a manga come to life. Plus it introduced the series staple of including things in the American version of the game that the American broadcast hadn't gotten to yet. (Why is Gaara turning into a monster and why is Sasuke using lighting blade?) lol
8. Clash of Ninja 2: Easily the biggest jump forward in the series, CoN2 introduced a much larger cast and four player battles that kicked ass. It also introduced series staples of including lesser known characters as playable fighters such as Mizuki and forcing you to save up ungodly amounts of money to buy characters, stages, etc.
7. Rise of Ninja: I had my doubts when Ubisoft of all people decided to make a Naruto game, but they ended up producing something pretty decent. It had its flaws with platforming and I wasn't a fan of the jutsu system but it was the most successful at turning Naruto into an action-adventure title instead of the usual fighting genre (much better then the horrible Uzumaki Chronicles). Plus it had a great explorable village and online play. Plus, this and Broken Bond are the only Naruto games to actually use Toshiro Masuada's orignal soundtrack.
6. Ultimate Ninja Storm: I really think Rise of Ninja was the catalyst for CyberConnect to choose to move into the 3rd dimension. That being said, CC2 did it marvelously. Silky smooth cel shaded graphics and character animations and a surprisingly smooth adaption/conversion of the Ultimate Ninja playstyle really made this game great. However, while this game had all of that as well as an good open world village it really failed when it came to fan service. Its story was a half-assed abridged version and it went through the first 136 episodes but left out some of the most important characters. No Zabuza? No Sound Four? WTF CC2!?
5. Gekitou Ninja Taisen 4 (Clash of Ninja 4): Of all the choices, this one is the most personal as far as a top ten choice. It never made a US release thanks to the release of the Wii (ConR2 doesn't count!) but that didn't stop it from rocking. A fantastic roster and the inclusion of great 3 man squad play as well as allowing transformations mid-battle instead of having seperate characters were definitely great features. The three man squad thing ended up getting out of hand though. Srsly, look up GNT4 infinites and watch the crazy 3 man squad cancels. There are some crazy combos there, but still, so many great tourneys with this game. Plus, have you heard the final valley theme for this game? (Yes, they used it in CoNR2)
4. Ultimate Ninja 3: If you're looking for the most inclusive pre-shippuden game that actually made an American release then look no further. This game effectively covers all 136 episodes of the original series and includes all major characters and battlefields. It's only flaw being that it doesn't really change much anything regarding the base game mechanics. Well, aside from adding transformations that is. It also had several signature moves for each character that could be edited before battle and could even be used by other characters (It kind of got out of hand when you're having a Rasen-dori battle between Shino and Zabuza tho
). It just has a lot and is all inclusive. Fun fact, this is the first game to include both Minato and Anbu Kakashi and it's the only game (Outside of UN4 and 5. They don't really count since they're just rehashed as pre-timeskip characters) to include Shizune, Konohamaru, Hanabi, and The First and Second hokage's as playable characters. (I think Ninja Storm had them as DLC but only as supports)3. Clash of Ninja Revolution 3: Technically this is just Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX2 with Hidan and Kakuzu from EX3 but as far as US releases go this is the most complete CoN package out there. A great cast, online play, as well as tag team battles with assist functionality definitely make this the best Wii Naruto game out there. Revolution 1 and 2 were jokes, glad to see that 8ing more than made up for it with the 3rd.
2. Ultimate Ninja Storm 2: You can't deny the beauty this game offers up as an Anime game. It's by far the best looking one out there and it stays true to the style of the Anime. UNS was cool but it left a bitter taste in my mouth from lack of fan service. UNS2 really stepped up its game to fans as well as providing a surprisingly accessible and well abridged tale to those new to the series. I just wish they didn't make us trudge through absolutely pointless backdrops and stupid side-quests just to get to the awesome boss fights. And, I've always hated the Ultimate Ninja music but the midi sounds actually let themselves very well to this game. At least as far as the more piano focused songs go. I'll save my long term competitive thoughts aside on this one and just focus on the fact that it's going to be tough to beat the standard that this game set. Well, the next game on the list is a little better.
1. The Broken Bond: This game went neck and neck with ultimate ninja storm a couple years back. Both vying for the fans attention. And while I had been ogling at NUNS at first, getting to spend some time with this title showed me how this title was not only leaps and bounds better then NUNS but that it was easily the best Naruto game out there. Even now, NUNS2 comes close, but this game still excels in areas that NUNS2 couldn't quite reach. One of the surprising strengths of this game is that instead trying to encompass the entire series (or at least as far as the series was/is at the time) the way that most Naruto games do, Broken Bond takes a small section of the tale (In this case seasons 4 thru 6 of the original series) and really focuses on the storytelling of those arcs and how the "bond" between the two main characters is developed and subsequently broken. And, it tells it effectively. Well, as effectively as a licensed product telling something that has already been told can tell it lol. Further than story though, is the fact that it really stays true to Naruto from a gameplay aspect as well. Using your team effectively both in and out of combat takes the forefront of this title and it's used in some really creative ways. Plus, this game has the sweetest tree jumping mini-game out there. I'm still not a fan of how jutsu is handled in and out of combat but it does stay true to the series and it makes things more interesting then just hitting the special button like most other games. I just feel like it slows things down too much. This game isn't going to win any graphics awards and it's one of the biggest offenders for absolutely pointless sidequests and reusing environments, but it's focused, pays great homage to the show not just in its characters and graphics but in how the game feels and plays out, and it does a great job at really emphasizing the development between Naruto and Sasuke.
So these are my opinions. Feel free to leave yours or comment on mine.
