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Latest images of Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
By now, you should be well aware that Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm is a PS3 exclusive. We need more of these things called exclusives. They sound rather enticing, don't you think? On another note, we've had our fair share of PS2 Naruto games in the past, but now is the time for the PS3 to find itself some anime ninja love. Are you also excited that this is the first Naruto game on the PS3? If so, then have a better look at the game in these new screenshots from The Magic Box.
Naruto PS3 game named, needs box art
The upcoming PS3 Naruto game has finally been given a name. The official fan site, Hokage's Room, revealed the name to eager fans: Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm continues the PS2 franchise, but gives it a new generation makeover.Although the name has been chosen, fans are encouraged to take a survey, which will help decided the box art for the game. The six choices given are rather busy-looking, but we're glad to see that for once, fans can have direct say in a game's marketing.[Thanks, Nabriel K.!]
New Naruto trailer is a step in the right direction
While we're still far from being obsessed with Naruto, the latest DS game did manage to catch our eye. Even after giving it some play time at GDC, our very own JC wrote that he found it was "openly an attempt by D3 and Dream Factory to pretty up a disappointing Japanese Naruto game -- the surprising thing is that it worked.". Suffice to say, we're going to keep our eye on the next game.And here it is, Naruto Shippuden: Shinobi Retsuden II. As you can tell from the trailer above, the game is polished. We don't have to tell you again that we're excited for this, do we? What do you all think?
M.U.G.E.N. on the DS is very finite
A coder named Antonio Niño Diaz has released an extremely early DS version of the M.U.G.E.N. 2D fighter creation system (named for the Japanese word for "infinity"). How early? Well, right now it's just two Jump Super Stars-style Narutos in one environment. You can make one of the Narutos walk, punch, and jump, and you can make the other one move left and right with the shoulder buttons. It's a far cry from the insanity possible in the PC engine, but it's an exciting start.We aren't sure if this is going to turn into a full-scale M.U.G.E.N. implementation (able to make Street FIghter-like games and platformers using user-designed characters) or limited to Jump Super Stars-type gameplay. We'd be happy with either![Via DCEmu; thanks, craig!]
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 2/25-3/2
The DS dropped to third in last week's hardware sales, as the PSP inched its way to first. (In case you haven't been keeping track, Wii sales have been above those of the DS for quite some time, but the PSP and DS keep flip-flopping for the week's best selling portable.)Hardware: PSP: 73,706 Wii: 64,535 Nintendo DS: 51,922 PlayStation 3: 13,520 PlayStation 2: 10,986 Xbox 360: 2,282 In the software chart, though, Nintendo's portable dominated once again. There were fourteen DS games to hit the top thirty last week, three of which made the top ten. Most of note is the new release Soma Bringer, a game that many of us outside of Japan have been coveting. It debuted in fourth, and was the top seller for the dual-screened handheld last week.Meanwhile, Professor Layton 2 and Animal Crossing slipped back into the top thirty, while Harvest Moon and Etrian Odyssey II managed to remain in the top ten. Check after the break to see a whole lot of DS games in boldface.
Naruto sets its sights on Europe
Have you been needing a Naruto fix, Europe? Nintendo announced today that Clash of Ninja Revolution will be hitting European stores on March 28th. The game might not get the ramen-filled welcome that it received here in the U.S., but if you're looking for a fighter and have no plans to freeload Brawl, then Naruto might be your best bet. The press release also boasts that the "European version of the game features the largest number of playable characters from the Naruto series and introduces several prominent and popular characters for the first time." We're not sure if this means there are extra characters for Europe, though, or if that's just a poorly worded way of telling us about the features available in Clash of Ninja Revolution. We suspect the latter.[Via press release]
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 2/18-2/24
The DS and PSP seem to be in a tooth-and-nail fight for second place. This week, the PSP took back the second spot, but just barely.Hardware: Wii: 63,504 PSP: 53,373 Nintendo DS: 50,151 PlayStation 3: 14,060 PlayStation 2: 9,634 Xbox 360: 2,001 The DS did better in software, though, with Etrian Odyssey II becoming popular in its first week. The DS dungeon crawler was only 9,000 units away from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, in fact. Harvest Moon: Shining Sun and Friends was another DS champ, ending up 5th on this week's chart. There were twelve DS games in the top thirty, which is impressive, especially considering the ton of new releases that came out last week. The new software did manage to bump a bunch of DS games out of the top thirty, though, including big names like Professor Layton and Pandora's Box, Dragon Quest IV, and Final Fantasy IV. To see the software placements, make sure to check after the break.
WRUP: a ninja's destiny edition
Looking over this week's releases, the only title that really piques our interest is Naruto: Ninja Destiny. JC got his hands on it at GDC and confirmed that we weren't crazy when we gushed about how beautiful the game is. We're not Naruto fans at all, but we are fans of fighting games.What are you all planning on picking up? New game? Playing through an older title? What will you be playing this weekend?%Gallery-15479%
Help name the next Naruto game
Over at the official Naruto fan community, Hokage's Room, Namco Bandai is asking fans of the anime to help them name the new Naruto game for the PS3. The upcoming title is the next in the Ultimate Ninja fighting series and should be coming out later this year.If you're a Naruto fan, this is an excellent way to get involved with your favorite anime -- especially if you're hyped up for the game. Even if you're not a fan, it might be fun to just drop your suggestion; afterall, how many chances do you have to name a game? It might even lead to a career in game-naming. Perhaps. Check out all the details here.[Thanks Daisuke!]
DS releases for the week of February 25th
Unfortunately, not every week can be last week, but maybe you'll find something to interest you in this latest crop of releases, especially with the wide variety of titles hitting shelves across regions today. From the latest Naruto title to Soma Bringer's debut in Japan, it's an unusual week for DS games. Be sure to let us know what interests you! Brain Assist Bratz: Super Babyz Bubble Bobble: Double Shot Disney Friends Fantasy Aquarium by DS Mazes of Fate DS (for real this time?) Naruto: Ninja Destiny Petz Wild Animals: Tigerz Spitfire Heroes: Tales of the Royal Air Force
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 2/11-2/17
The DS reclaimed second place for hardware, managing to inch past the PSP on this week's chart. A bunch of new releases helped the handheld's sales, as fifteen of the top thirty games last week were DS titles. Hardware: Wii: 78,583 Nintendo DS: 62,362 PSP: 59,645 PlayStation 3: 17,637 PlayStation 2: 11,266 Xbox 360: 2,198 The top contender for the dual-screened portable last week was the Japanese dating sim, Tokimeki Memorial: Girl's Side 2nd Season, which beat everything except Smash Bros. and Wii Fit. Meanwhile, After-School Boy and Doraemon Baseball were knocked out of the top thirty, but remained in the top fifty (along with Rune Factory 2). Overall, though, it was a great software week for the DS. If you want to see why, check out the numbers after the break.
GDC08: Naruto: Ninja Destiny sneak-attacks with quality
Naruto: Ninja Destiny is quite a surprise. It's openly an attempt by D3 and Dream Factory to pretty up a disappointing Japanese Naruto game -- the surprising thing is that it worked. Screens and trailers don't convey the shockingly beautiful graphics, which run at a constant 30 fps. Developer Dream Factory upped the framerate and changed the graphical style to a more cel-shaded look for the American release. It worked! I don't usually have much motivation to be personally interested in a Naruto game, but I was somewhat convinced by the appearance.As for the gameplay, it's an openly mash-friendly 3D fighter, controlled with the d-pad and buttons. There are two attack buttons, a jump, and a special "jutsu" attack that uses energy from the chakra meter. The jutsu attacks are these huge flashy sequences of attacks. The touch screen holds a random assortment of recovery and booster items that restore health, chakra, and also have other in-game effects.The game comes out next week, so we don't have long to wait until we find out if longterm play is as fast-paced and fun as it is in brief gameplay sessions.%Gallery-15479%
GDC08: Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2 incoming
You can always rely on anime games to come out with Madden-style annual updates. Namco Bandai and CyberConnect 2 have announced Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Herores 2: The Phantom Fortress for PSP this June. The fighter will feature twenty characters from the popular series. According to IGN, "Phantom Fortress' story mode will have Naruto and his pals battling through a flying fortress that has descended on Hidden Leaf Village." There will also be more than just fights: there will be quizzes and mini-games.Just like the previous iteration of the franchise, the game will take advantage of ad-hoc multiplayer (no infrastructure, we're sad to report). Game Sharing returns -- a huge plus of the original. Stay tuned for more. %Gallery-16526%
It's your destiny to see this Naruto trailer
We've kind of been gushing over this game since getting our eyes on it for the first time. That's not because we're huge Naruto fans or anything, but because Naruto: Ninja Destiny looks like it could be a great fighting game, which is something the DS needs more of. Oh, how we like our fighting games.Any of you out there excited for this, as well?%Gallery-15479%
Checking out more fighting in Naruto: Ninja Destiny
Following up yesterday's trailer that sold us on the gameplay is another trailer that shows us ... more gameplay. But hey, we're not complaining, because we're liking what we see here. The DS is starved for great fighting games (well, those of us outside of Japan are), so we're excited to see a suitable installment in the genre. Anyone else excited for Naruto: Ninja Destiny?%Gallery-15479%
Naruto: Ninja Destiny has some smooth gameplay
Wow, we must say that we're fairly surprised the gameplay looks so good. Maybe it's because we only got short bursts of gameplay footage when the game was announced for North America, but we're extra excited about the title now. And, with the beefed-up state it'll find itself in once it arrives in our native country, we're even that much more happy. It's like a happy overload or something.What do you all think? Stud or dud?%Gallery-15479%
NARUTO: Ninja Destiny gets beefed up for North America
Even though Japanese gamers know their way around a video game, it would seem that Tomy and D3 are doing all they can to make sure NARUTO: Ninja Destiny is better than its Japanese cousin when it arrives in North America. What they've done is smoothed out the framerate, increasing the tension of combat. Nobby Matsuo, the associate producer from Tomy , says "the gameplay experience markedly different is what you would be used to if you played the Japanese version in terms of the button responses, attacks and the speed of the combat. It's a lot more frantic, it's a lot faster." Hey, we're all for fast combat in a ninja-based game!Other improvements include an overhauled story mode, where the North American storyline is completely different from the Japanese version of the game. The single player campaign will take place between episodes 100 and 140.%Gallery-15479%
NARUTO: Ninja Destiny hits stateside next month
Ninja fanatics will be glad to know that a new title based on NARUTO is on its way to the DS in the form of NARUTO: Ninja Destiny. And, even better is that the title is due for release next month. It's no secret that those of us outside of Japan really have no kind of great fighting game (although we're hoping that changes eventually), so any kind of suitable title in the genre is something we're definitely fine with.Head past the break for the full press release.
Jump Festa reveals new footage of PS3 Naruto project
CyberConnect 2 is bringing their ninja skills to the PS3 with a currently unnamed Naruto project. The team has been responsible for the Ultimate Ninja series on PS2, which featured a surprisingly fun (and faithful) battle system that followed the events of the early half of the Naruto saga.At Jump Festa, Namco Bandai unveiled a new trailer for their upcoming PS3 project. Unsurprisingly, it looks a lot like the Ubisoft-developed Xbox 360 Naruto game -- although, we're more than certain that the two will ultimately play quite differently from each other.[Via NeoGAF]
The Twelve (well, thirteen, actually) Sales of GameFly
Video game rental service GameFly has a pretty big year-end sale going on through January 4th for over 30 of its used DS games. Though the carts are all pre-played, each one will come with a new manual and case, so you need not worry about receiving an incomplete set. As usual, we've picked the notable titles out of the bunch and listed them for you, except this time, we've done it in Christmas carol form! On the twelfth day of Christmas, DS Fanboy sent to me: Twelve Diddy Kong racers Racing ($17.99), Eleven Spectrobes for collecting ($15.99), Ten Hoshigamis a-SRPG-ing ($14.99), Nine Planet Puzzles Leaguing ($19.99), Eight Custom Robos a-fighting ($12.99), Seven Sim Cities a-building ($16.99), Six Bombermen a-touching ($22.99), Five of Sonic Rush's golden rinnngggggs ($17.99), Four Mana Children ($14.99), Three Elite Beat Agents ($22.99), Two Mega Man Star Forces ($17.99 each), And a Naruto: Ninja Council 3 ($17.99)! [Via CAG]
