Ultimate Ninja 4: Naruto Shippuden

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PS2 series installment still packs a chakra-infused punch

This is similar to the Ultimate Jutsu moves, which have returned as well. Each character has three, and the cut-scenes they take place in aren’t too shabby at all. If you’d rather just whale on an opponent sans storyline, there is of course a Free Battle mode with 52 characters, one of the largest selections in the series. This includes characters from the original series, making matches like young versus older Naruto or young versus older Sakura possible.

So yes, Ultimate Ninja 4 is still on the PS2, but in a world of next-gen titles, holds up surprisingly well (though the PS2 load times offer the regular and painful reminder of the console’s limitations). Still, the game itself feels like fast and furious ninja fun that will be accessible to series fans and first-timers, while capturing the infectious optimism of the eponymous character and his anime series.

Mar 11, 2009