Best Naruto Games

Ask any anime fan what they’d imagine when they hear “ninja” and it’s likely going to be


Naruto


. In fact, the orange-clad protagonist of the

Naruto

franchise created quite an indelible mark in both anime and mainstream media. Aside from the meme-worthy “Naruto run” and the series’ impressive storyline, fans also remember

Naruto

for its slate of action-packed games.

Moreover,


Naruto

games

eventually grew alongside the franchise. For instance, some hit

Naruto

titles followed notable arcs when the series was ongoing. As such,

Naruto

has more than 50 titles across different game series! However, just which


Naruto

games

dominate the rest? Most importantly, which titles should

Naruto

fans definitely try?

Updated on October 24, 2023, by Rhenn Taguiam:



With Boruto: Two Blue Vortex giving a glimpse of Boruto’s new life in his story’s timeskip era, fans of the Naruto franchise may be interested in a blast to the past to compare Naruto’s journey in his mid-teens compared to his son’s. Thankfully, many of the

Naruto games

offer story modes that recap the current story of the Hokage hopeful up to that time, with recent entries in the Ultimate Ninja Storm series improving their retelling of the entirety of Naruto’s journey. For hardcore fans who want to experience Naruto’s story in the best way possible, they may want to know the advantages and disadvantages that the series’ various games can offer, especially for older titles that at the time have been trying to grasp what formula they want a Naruto game to have.

20


Naruto: Ninja Council 3 (2006)

• 
  Available for: Nintendo DS
  

While many of the games in the

Naruto

series offer a deeper look into Naruto’s long journey to becoming the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf,


Naruto: Ninja Council 3


takes a familiar route with its parent series of games and focuses on high-octane ninja battles. Featuring a cast of almost 30 characters from the first part of the

Naruto

anime,

Ninja Council 3

gives players an arena platformer fighter similar to the

Super Smash Bros.

franchise, allowing the likes of Naruto to team up or even fight against other popular characters in the

Naruto

franchise.

Similar to other games in

Ninja Council

, the third installment uses much of the same sprites but updates mechanics using the Nintendo DS’s touch mechanics. This time around, certain techniques have to be tapped via the second screen or even completed via extremely short mini-games, adding a level of suspense when doing this in mid-combat.

Notable for:

Players often criticize its lack of a story mode and rather repetitive missions, but its multiplayer mode is worth a shot for those who want to accomplish various objectives as a team or duke it out against each other. While not necessarily an acclaimed title, fans of the franchise who want to get a taste of what

Naruto

in the DS was like should at least try

Ninja Council 3

for the change of pace in gameplay.

19


Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (2003)

• 
  Available for: PlayStation 2
  

When players look for a


Naruto

game

, they often encounter

Ultimate Ninja Storm

. However, before the 3D arena fighter took the world by storm (no pun intended), this iconic series of games within the

Naruto

franchise had humble beginnings with


Naruto: Ultimate Ninja


. Given its early 2000s release,

Ultimate Ninja

covers the introductory saga of the

Naruto

story up until Orochimaru’s invasion of the Hidden Leaf, ending in Naruto and Sasuke’s first fateful encounter atop the Valley of the End.

What’s interesting about the title is specifically its approach to the story, as its retelling of the rather short

Naruto

arcs is supplemented with perspectives of other characters. On top of this focus on character stories, the combat mechanics are repetitive but equally enjoyable, giving players straightforward basic and special attacks that they combine with the D-Pad to launch unique techniques.

Notable for:

This PlayStation 2 title is the first in the franchise to have Naruto and his friends in full-3D battles, and is also the first entry that would eventually branch into the more popular

Storm

sub-series of


Naruto

games

. This is also the first game to utilize accessible mechanics that make the game easier to pick up and play, making this an ideal introduction for fans of the franchise.

18


Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Destiny 2 (2008)

• 
  Available for: Nintendo DS
  

Fans of the

Naruto

franchise looking for a decent brawler after the abysmal experience with

Ninja Council 3

can still enjoy playing with their Nintendo DS courtesy of


Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Destiny 2


. This 2008 release is a decent button masher that rightfully demonstrates the visual splendor of the

Naruto

series in a portable console, offering a focus on one-on-one battles instead of its short but rather dull story mode.

Thankfully, the game does offer a more fun

Naruto

experience for the Nintendo DS. Sans the tendency of the touch controls to be unresponsive at times, being able to access a myriad of jutsu with just a touch of a button can make

Ninja Destiny 2

a game that fully uses the DS’s hardware system. Despite the basic button-mashing mechanics, the fluidity of the animation can almost excuse the repetitive attacking motions.

Notable for:

Although not necessarily aimed toward fighting game purists,

Ninja Destiny 2

is a solid experience for fans of the franchise who just want a portable brawler for their Nintendo DS. Being able to access around 20+ characters with unique techniques plus a Survival Mode that pits them against an endless assault of characters can lead to hours’ worth of button-mashing satisfaction.

17


Naruto: Clash Of Ninja Revolution 3 (2009)

• 
  Available for: Nintendo Wii
  

It’s not often that a


Naruto

game

is balanced, especially with the emphasis on button mashing courtesy of its straightforward mechanics. However,


Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3


shines with its nature as a decently balanced fighter not just in general but especially for the oftentimes-criticized Wii. Key to the appeal of

Revolution 3

mechanics is the emphasis on precision, with combos requiring specific timing to execute as enemies as well as players can butt in with a perfectly-timed counter or dodge.

While the game simply tells the rather short

Shippuden

introductory arc up until the Kazekage Retrieval Arc, it’s the versus mode that pits

Naruto

characters against each other where players can have a great time. Being able to use around 40 characters with unique but accessible techniques makes

Revolution 3

one of the

best-developed

Naruto

games

of the time.

Notable for:

Considered the fifth entry of the

Clash of Ninja

series, the game offers 40 playable stages alongside 40 playable characters that have their skill sets overhauled due to the

Shippuden

time skip. Moreover, the game features a rather comprehensive set of quality-of-life changes that make it more defense-leaning compared to the traditionally aggressive button-mashing nature of the franchise. It is also the first game in the series to offer Wi-Fi connectivity for online battles.

16


Shippuden 3D: The New Era

• 
  Available for:
  
  
  Nintendo 3DS

Fans of the

Naruto

series might be surprised to try out

Naruto Shippuden 3D: The New Era

for the Nintendo 3DS. In essence, the game tries to return to the era of 2D side-scrolling adventures. Unfortunately, despite its decent story, the title’s overall approach to gameplay seems lackluster and rather so-so for a 2011 title.

For instance, the game takes place in various

Naruto

landmarks with various platforming elements. Moreover, Naruto can perform various attacks and even Jutsu that transitions into a 3D cutscene. Unfortunately, fans who played other immersive

Naruto

fighting games won’t find this title endearing at all.

Notable for:

One of the very few

Naruto

platformers out there, the game does explore the potential of the series in the context of a 2D title. Its prioritization of platforming instead of outright combat adds depth to exploration and more unique ways of using their abilities.

15


Dragon Blade Chronicles

• 
  Available for:
  
  
  Nintendo Wii

Interestingly,

Naruto

actually has a game entry for the Wii. Unlike other titles,

Naruto Shippuden: Dragon Blade Chronicles

tries to add RPG elements to the

Naruto

concept. As a result, the 2010 title features a new story with elements from the franchise. In essence, the game takes place in a loose version of the Itachi Pursuit Mission. Unique to the game is the antagonist Kuroma Tatsushiro, who plans on using the power of the Genryu (five eternal dragons) for his evil schemes.

As a result,

Dragon Blade Chronicles

feels more like an action-adventure game with

Naruto

elements. Instead of hand-to-hand combat, Naruto (now adorned in traditional Feudal Japanese armor) uses swords to fight various monsters. Aside from aesthetics, there’s not much that makes this game a “genuine”

Naruto

experience.

Notable for:

Despite criticisms, the game does make an excellent demonstration of what

Naruto

could become in the context of a fantasy RPG. There’s certainly merit in the way the game meshed the series’ signature combat techniques into having different approaches and uses in a fantasy setting.

14


Ninja Village Jintori Battle

Those who want a more strategic take on the

Naruto

universe would probably want to check out

Naruto: Shinobi no Sato no Jintori Kassen

, loosely translated as

Naruto: Ninja Village Jintori Battle.

Essentially, the game mixes elements of strategy with light combat.

The main goal is to occupy the home base of the enemy. Much of the game takes place during the first few episodes of

Naruto

, particularly when Team 7 has to face the likes of Haku and Zabuza.

Notable for:

Aside from its limited scope,

Ninja Village Jintori Battle

doesn’t boast much in terms of mechanics. The board game aspect doesn’t immediately fit the

Naruto

setting, at least not one so restricted. If it were to involve the other nations and Hidden Villages during the Fourth Shinobi World War, then perhaps such a concept would show promise.

13


Shippuden Legends: Akatsuki Rising

Fans of the series with their PlayStation Portables intact would likely get intrigued by

Naruto Shippuden Legends: Akatsuki Rising

. After all, not only does the game boast full 3D combat, but it also serves as a great introduction to Part II of the series – especially to major villains known as the Akatsuki.

Sadly, this is as far as the game goes in terms of its flair, as it’s not fun to play in terms of combat. At its core,

Akatsuki Rising

has Naruto explore different zones and eliminate enemies, similar to a Musou game.

Notable for:

Battles take place in semi-large environments, but combos are easy to spam and pull off. Moreover, given that the story only takes place from the beginning of Part II until the Kazekage Rescue Mission, there are only 17 playable characters. All-in-all,

Akatsuki Rising

offers a somewhat suboptimal experience.

12


Naruto: Path Of The Ninja

• 
  Available for:
  
  
  Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance

People who want to try

Naruto

as a full-blown turn-based RPG might be tempted to try out

Naruto: Path of the Ninja

. This Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS title takes place at the beginning of Part I and runs until the end of the Chuunin Exams, where Naruto faces off against Shukaku. Unlike other

Naruto

titles, this RPG takes a turn-based approach to combat. As such, teams of three (Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura for the most part) need to carefully coordinate attacks and jutsu in order to take down a number of foes.

Naruto: Path of the Ninja

has a small roster of playable characters – including Shikamaru Nara, Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Jiraiya – with a whole host of NPCs and opponents. Sadly, the RPG component does get rid of the fast-paced action component the franchise is known for.

Path of the Ninja

isn’t a recommended way to re-experience Part I’s events, considering how other games accomplish the same with more engaging combat.

Notable for:

Integrating RPG graphics into the

Naruto

universe is something

Path Of The Ninja

demonstrates, and it’s certainly quite interesting to see a strategic “conversion” of fast-paced attacks into specially-timed jutsus. Unfortunately, the limited scope of the story does mean there’s a hindrance to the full extent of the RPG title’s potential.

11


Ultimate Ninja Impact

With

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact

,

Naruto

fans get a taste of

Shippuden

if it were a Musou title. As such, fans would immediately notice the similarities between

Ultimate Ninja Impact

and titles such as

Dynasty Warriors.

After all, it’s not common that a


Naruto

game

would feature Naruto and his friends facing hundreds upon hundreds of enemies. However, these immense battles remain impressive for a PlayStation Portable title.

This 2011 title also tackles

Shippuden

‘s Kazekage Retrieval Mission until the Five Kage Summit, which tackles more than half of the anime’s storyline. Unfortunately, the musou format made

Ultimate Ninja Impact

‘s gameplay extremely repetitive and uninspired. As such, it lacks the fast-paced and tactical “flair”

Naruto

fans enjoy in other games.

Notable for:

Although not as flashy as other titles,

Ultimate Ninja Impact

is a great demonstration of what

Naruto

could be like as a Musou title. It feels delightful to use the “Naruto run” in wide areas to chase down enemies and at the same time make extremely straightforward attacks.

10


Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2

Fans would consider the PSP’s

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2

as a dividing title. After all, the game is essentially

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes

with three new characters and a new story mode. However, in this title, players now have access to the Mugen Castle Arc. This arc takes them within the Mugen Castle, a haunted castle with randomly generated floors with its own story.

Unlike technical fighting games,

Heroes 2

relies on fast-paced combat. Moreover, most of its 23 characters have special modes that make battles more diverse and unpredictable. Unfortunately, game collectors might wonder why even get

Ninja Heroes 2

if all they get are three new characters and an entirely-skippable Mugen Castle Arc. In turn, they may as well get the first

Ultimate Ninja Heroes

game for a more compact experience.

Notable for:

Although possessing a limited number of characters due to the limitation with regards to the story,

Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2

is a great demonstration of the potential of

Naruto

as a fighting game title at the time, especially with its simple yet flashy slate of combos.

9


Naruto x Boruto: Ninja Voltage

• 
  Available for:
  
  
  Android, iOS

Franchise fans who want to bring the excitement of

Naruto

to their mobile phones can play

Naruto x Boruto: Ninja Voltage

on iOS and Android. This action-strategy RPG combines MOBA-style action with minor base-building components. Players can organize their “dream team” composed of four characters from both

Naruto

and

Boruto

to take on various missions and challenges.

Unlike usual turn-based or tap-action mobile games,

Ninja Voltage

has a more active approach to gameplay. Players control their leader character while the rest of their team follows and supports them. Moreover, players can dish out powerful combos and attacks that feature signature moves such as the Rasengan and the Chidori. Fans who want a compact experience close to the

Ultimate Ninja Storm

series could find almost the exact gameplay style in

Ninja Voltage

.

Notable for:

Despite its rather lukewarm reception,

Ninja Voltage

is arguably one of the more extensive gacha games out there. While it gives players early access to a lot of popular

Naruto

characters on the get-go, it’s up to players to collect special Ninja Cards that allow them to equip these characters with exclusive attacks. This adds a lot of flexibility with regard to how a single shinobi character is built, making each iteration of a character unique.

8


Jump Force

• 
  Available for:
  
  
  Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4, PC

Albeit not necessarily an exclusive


Naruto

game

,

Jump Force

does answer a lot of fan questions regarding an important aspect of powerful fighters. If Naruto and Sasuke could defeat most of the ninjas in their world, how would they fare against the likes of Ichigo, Goku, or even Yami Yugi?

In this game, players take on the roles of some of the most prominent characters in Shonen Jump. Of course, given the vast scope of Jump’s manga selections, the game offers quite a lot of interesting match-ups. For instance, who could have thought that Light Yagami and his Death Note could face the likes of Naruto and Sasuke? Thanks to this game, players can finally see for themselves how the two shinobi’s abilities would fare against some of the most popular manga characters around.

Notable for:

While there’s not a lot of visible

Naruto

presence in the game, the fact that players can use Naruto to fight some of the most popular

Shonen Jump

characters makes this game a dream come true for fan artists and the like. Power-scalers and theorists will appreciate the arena brawler for its unique application of signature movies within the franchise.

7


Ultimate Ninja Storm

• 
  Available for:
  
  
  Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, PC

It could be argued that

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm

gave a preview of the series’s true potential in terms of fast-paced ninja action. In terms of story, the first

Ultimate Ninja Storm

game covers the events of Part I until Episode 135.

As such, players can get a more dynamic take on events that thrust Naruto into his journey toward being the Hokage. However, for now, he has to become a Chuunin and help save Sasuke from the impending threat of Orochimaru.

Notable for:

While retaining the same combo-focused mechanics of the

Ultimate Ninja

series,

Ultimate Ninja Storm

enables players to move in fully 3D environments. As a result, the game offers more dynamic use of Ninja Move dodges, wall-fighting, and different ninja tools, while players can even request help from support ninjas. These mechanics will slowly see improvements and changes throughout the course of the landmark

Ultimate Ninja Storm

series.

6


Rise Of A Ninja

Fans of classic

Naruto

would love 2007’s

Naruto: Rise of a Ninja –

a


title that serves as a hallmark title for pre-

Shippuden

days. After all, the Xbox 360 title explores the first 80 episodes of the series in a fully-open Konoha.

Moreover, the main storyline comes with cutscenes interspersed with actual footage from the anime. Additionally, the game slowly teaches players everything Naruto learns in the original story – from using chakra to walk on walls and water (that also opens up the environment) to learning powerful Jutsu they can use in fights. Fans with the Xbox 360 should try this title, as it’s one of the first


Naruto

games

to fully realize an open-world environment.

Notable for:

An open-world Konoha is quite an interesting place to explore, especially how it’s been depicted as a lively environment to live in. The component of seeing civilians firsthand and being able to jump around a huge ninja village makes the stakes much higher by the time the likes of Orochimaru have posed a threat to the village.

5


Ultimate Ninja 5

Fans of PSP’s

Ultimate Ninja


Heroes

series would feel right at home with the PS2’s

Naruto Shippuden:


Ultimate Ninja 5.

Due to its ties with the

Shippuden

anime, the game’s story follows eight chapters related to the Kazekage Retrieval Arc and the reunion with Orochimaru and Sasuke. Interestingly, the game also features most characters with their

Naruto

and

Shippuden

costumes as well as alternate modes that grant new abilities. Moreover, the game introduces Assist Characters which players can call for aid for extra damage or powerful linked attacks.

This title easily becomes a must-play for fans who want a portable


Naruto

game

that packs a lot of content and features. Moreover, it’s one of the last 2.5D

Naruto

fighting games prior to its transition to full-blown 3D fights.

Notable for:

Although similar to

Ultimate Ninja Heroes

in the context that it’s a 2.5D title,

Ultimate Ninja 5

excels in how it demonstrates the potential of

Shippuden

-level characters in this kind of setup. Lacking as it may be in flashier attacks in more open environments, the more confined spaces of the 2.5D landscape make the game feel more tactical and have higher stakes.

4


Shinobi Striker

• 
  Available for:
  
  
  PS4, Xbox One, PC

Fans of

Naruto

will finally get their personalized Konoha experience with

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker

. In this 2018 title, fans can explore the first few arcs of the

Boruto

anime – this time with a fully customized avatar. Moreover, the game now features the cast of

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

, which includes Boruto Uzumaki (Naruto’s son) and his friends.

Interestingly, the game boasts a fairly open environment where players can embark on various quests. Moreover, multiplayer matches come in various modes. Additionally, player avatars can possess unique abilities – some of which are signature moves from the original cast. Unfortunately, a lot of gamers don’t appreciate

Shinobi Striker

for its repetitive gameplay and lackluster combat mechanics.

Notable for:

Immense customization is the name of the game for

Shinobi Striker

, allowing players to finally be able to meet, team up, and even fight some of the most popular members of the cast. The open-world setting and the vast environments give players a lot of room to experiment with their newfound abilities, making the game quite engaging.

3


Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations

• 
  Available for:
  
  
  PS3, Xbox 360

Fans looking for the ultimate

Ultimate Ninja Storm

experience would appreciate

Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations

for the PS3 and Xbox 360. This 2012 title retains the new 3D-based fights of the original

Ninja Storm

title. However, this game cranks everything up to 11 thanks to its fast-paced battles and stories fully covering the

Naruto

and

Naruto Shippuden

anime.

Moreover, fans would love

Generations

for its high-octane action. For instance, the game now features attack cancels, vertical mid-air dodges, and other cancellations to further diversify the game’s approach to combat. Additionally,

Generations

uses Naruto’s original story to branch out into other side stories. In turn,

Generations

gleams insights into other characters such as Itachi Uchiha and Minato Namikaze’s lives.

Notable for:

This serves as a more “complete”

Naruto

experience in the context of the story, especially since it begins anew with Naruto’s childhood until the middle arc of

Naruto Shippuden

. This story route, alongside new attack additions such as cancellations and the like, can make players feel more engaged in the adventures of

Naruto

and his friends.

2


Ultimate Ninja Storm 3

• 
  Available for:
  
  
  Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, PC, Xbox 360

Fans looking for a more modern experience would appreciate

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3

. This 2013 entry fully realizes the potential of modern systems, thanks to its availability for the PC, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, and even the Switch. Interestingly, the game now features a story featuring the Five Kage Summit that leads into the climactic Fourth Shinobi World War. Moreover, fans would appreciate the ability to “deviate” from the course of events with certain decisions throughout the game’s story.

However, what makes this game a must-try is its “evolved” combat system. For instance, the game boasts a more controller-friendly and responsive approach to combos, dodges, and flips. Moreover, the game adds a ring-out system in addition to improvements with its Team Attack System and various support character options.

Notable for:

Players a bit overwhelmed with the number of players in

Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

can find themselves a bit more comfortable with

Ultimate Ninja Storm 3

. While the game contains a lot of the major mechanics in the recent titles, it stands out for its rather more simplistic approach to gameplay, which in a way also gives players a lot of creative freedom with their combos and attack strategies.

1


Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

• 
  Available for:
  
  
  PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC

Naruto Shippuden:


Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

serves as the pinnacle of


Naruto

games

. This fully 3D title fully realizes the climactic Fourth Shinobi World War in game form. Moreover, the game has over 100 playable characters. In turn, players can go bananas constructing the best three-man team for their battles. In terms of story, the game tackles both Naruto’s and Sasuke’s perspectives that lead up to their eventual team-up near the manga’s conclusion.

Additionally, the title boasts new and improved features to make its battles more dynamic. For instance, battles can take place on walls, and characters can tap into Ultimate Jutsu and Awakening modes to dish out powerful attacks. Moreover, players can switch characters to further diversify battles. Lastly, the game one-ups other games’ aesthetics with destructible battlefields and even damaged clothing.

Notable for:

Perhaps the most versatile of all

Ultimate Ninja Storm

entries, it’s

Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

that has the most diverse and expansive set of characters. Carrying over younger versions of the characters across the franchise,

UNS4

is a culmination of the series that allows players to go crazy with their team-building.

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