Game Gush Gamer

Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, is a widely popular fighting game that has gained a massive following among fans of the Naruto anime and manga franchise. As the final installment in the Ultimate Ninja Storm series, the game offers players an extensive range of playable characters, each with unique moves and abilities, set in iconic locations from the Naruto universe. With its impressive graphics, captivating storyline, and thrilling gameplay, Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 has managed to win over the hearts of both fans and gamers alike. In this review, I will take a closer look at the game’s various features, gameplay, and overall experience to determine if it’s worthy of its popularity.

Naruto Brief History – Japanese Anime Show

Naruto is one of the longest-running Japanese anime franchises. The very first episode of the original Naruto series debuted in Japan on October 3, 2002. There are 220 episodes in the original anime series and then a whopping 500 episodes in Naruto Shippuden, the direct sequel to Naruto. Boruto is a Japanese anime spin-off and canonical sequel to Naruto Shippuden. With Boruto still ongoing and having 202 episodes at the time of writing this post, it’s safe to assume that people across the world will continue to be fans until the end of time (me included).

Brief Naruto Video Game History

Surprisingly, Naruto has six video game series that lasted between 2003-2016:

The first four series were Nintendo exclusives. A majority of the titles were released only in Japan, with the others being released as ports to the US and Europe on a 2-3 year delay. There are 11 games that don’t belong to a series. The three most notable are Naruto: Konoha Ninpouchou (first Naruto game to appear on the Bandai console, WonderSwan Color), Naruto: Rise of a Ninja (first Naruto game released on Xbox 360 and developed by a non-Japanese company), and Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker.

What is the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Series?

Naruto Ultimate Ninja was the first Naruto game series to be released in major countries on all platforms. The Ultimate Ninja Storm series is within the Ultimate Ninja series. Each installment in the Ultimate Ninja Storm series represents a different chapter in Naruto’s quest to become Hokage—all the way from the beginning with Naruto and Iruka sensei eating ramen together—to one last spectacle showdown against Naruto’s ultimate rival.

What is Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4?

Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is actually the seventh and final installment in the series that results in an epic conclusion to Naruto’s journey. The story mode begins with a quick recap of the battle between the founders of Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village), Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha. Years later, the story follows the player through chronological events related to the Fourth Great Ninja War. Battle Obito, Madara, Kaguya, and experience some of your favorite moments from the show!

Adventure Mode | Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Play an adventure mode which is basically like going down memory lane. Players can travel across an open ninja world, take on fetch quests, and initiate events that either relive memorable moments or allow players to fight in various battles from the past. Earn resources after every task in order to trade them for costumes, ninja titles, ninja cards, and substitution items!

Versus Mode | Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Free and online battles are a separate mode in Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 that lets players face off against AI-controlled or real player opponents. Pair up your favorite characters or use an elite team from the show. Discover in-game images after finishing an opponent with a special Jutsu. Defeat the opposition as Team 7. Obliterate foes with the might of the first three Hokage. Vaporize enemies out of existence with the dynamic duo, Kakashi and Obito. Whoever you play—never give up!

Combat Style | Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Combat mechanics honestly are not too technical. Aside from the few ranged shinobis and puppeteers, most characters will be accustomed to the basic melee button combos, Jutsu attacks, and ultimate Jutsu attacks—no matter who you play. Games like Mortal Kombat, Tekken, and Dragon Ball FighterZ approach combat mechanics by introducing lots of technicalities, which can be daunting for new or inexperienced players. Since combat is simplified in Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, it means players are able to select any character without worrying about learning new move-sets!

Character Roster | Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

How many characters are playable? 106! WHAT?! Yep, I didn’t stutter. Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 has one of the largest character pools in Naruto game history. This does include duplicates of the same characters, such as the original kid versions and their older counterparts, and also all seven forms of Obito Uchiha (I know, Tobi is your favorite).

Maybe I want to play users who wield the Seven Swords of the Mist: Zabuza, Suigetsu, and Kisame. What if I want Team 7 back together like the good ole days? Go right ahead! How about unleashing the devastating power of the Legendary Sannin: Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru? Or I could be a total loser and go with a team like Mecha-Naruto, Hanzo, and Konan. With so many characters to play, I like to just click random three times and let fate decide.

Combination Ultimate Jutsu

Now the Justus and ultimate Jutsus are exciting to execute, but hitting a secret linked ultimate Jutsu technique while playing as a specific team will reveal a special cinematic. Also formally known as a Combination Ultimate Jutsu. PowerPyx has a full list and a video showcasing all 31 different team combinations! Performing team combination attacks in Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 just feels so dang good. And they bring back some nostalgic memories. The cinematics are purely amazing and most are reflective of similar attacks in the show.

Art & Animation Style

Usually, game adaptations will use direct scenes from the show or film to cut down development time. But 99% of cutscenes in the Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 are fully rendered 3D animations from the game engine. The art design in the show is still great, but I absolutely LOVE the artistic scope in the video games. In addition to gameplay, the visual quality is one of, if not the best, elements of the game. From event cutscenes to substitutions, to in-game images, to ultimate Jutsus, to clothing damage, there is not a single moment where I don’t enjoy the visuals.

Naruto Fan

I am 26 years old. I grew up watching Naruto ever since the first North American airing of the show in 2005. Naruto was aired on Toonami, an overnight block of Cartoon Network which primarily focused on animated shows. Other famous shows that aired on Toonami were Samurai Jack, Gundam Wing, Sailor Moon, and Teen Titans. All of these shows were fantastic for the kid with an insanely large imagination (me, of course). Call me a weeb or whatever, but I love what I grew up with, and I love video games! Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 will definitely always be on the top 10 list of my favorite video games!

Downloadable Content | Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

After the main release, three extra DLCs are available along with the Road to Boruto expansion:

1. Shikamaru’s Tale Extra Scenario Pack

Access an exclusive adventure mode and embark on new missions to fill in the gaps from Naruto to Boruto. Enter the role of Shikamaru, advisor to Hokage Kakashi after the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War. Discover how Kakashi deals with the aftermath tension of war and become the laziest advisor around!

2. Gaara’s Tale Extra Scenario Pack

Access an exclusive adventure mode and embark on new missions to fill in the gaps from Naruto to Boruto. Enter the role of Gaara, the One-Tailed Jinchuriki, and Kazekage to the Hidden Sand Village. Discover how he aids Kakashi and the other Kage in ushering in an era of peace after the Fourth Great Ninja War.

3. Playable Characters

Unlock the Sound Ninja Four, prisoner/bodyguards to Orochimaru! These four shinobi come from the original Naruto anime series, specifically during the Chunin Exams under the Third Hokage’s reign. The expansion also included new cosmetic items, 10 costumes, and 3 new combination ultimate Jutsus.

Road to Boruto Expansion Pack

Access an exclusive adventure mode in Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 and embark on new missions to learn about Boruto, Naruto’s son. The expansion unlocks more playable characters: Boruto, Sarada, Mitsuki, Momoshiki, Kinshiki, and Mecha-Naruto! Cosmetic items and costumes are also unlocked.