Kotaku: Naruto

Generations Collide in the Latest Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm

Mike Fahey — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:20:00 EDT

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Now that CyberConnect2 has mastered the Naruto game on current-generation platforms, it's time to mix things up. Whiny child Naruto meets equally whiny teenage Naruto in 2012's Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations. More »

Pockie Ninja Mixes Naruto With Bleach, Unofficially

Mike Fahey — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST

After weeks of teasing something called Project Ninja with images of tiny Naruto and Bleach characters, online game operator NGames reveals Pockie Ninja, a web game featuring characters "inspired by" those popular anime series. More »

Dude Looks Like A Lady

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 05:00:00 EST

Like many young Japanese males, 29-year-old Nanami Igarashi is working hard to establish his career as he lives with his girlfriend. His hobby, however, is somewhat unique. More »

Review: Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 Improves With Age

Mike Fahey — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:20:00 EST

Sure, you've weathered plenty of ninja storms in your day, but are you prepared to face the Ultimate Ninja Storm... 2? More »

A Case Study In Xbox 360 Vs. PS3 Sales

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 06:00:00 EDT

In Japan, PS3 games generally do way better than Xbox 360 games. Just look at the disparaging difference for multiplatform title Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2. More »

In Seven Days, Something Will Happen

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Maybe you'll eat a turkey sandwich. Perhaps, you'll drink a glass of carrot juice. You may even read watch television. The future is endless. The reveal for this countdown teaser is not. More »

China Rips Off Pokemon, Naruto And Digimon

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EDT

The country's state-run television channel China Central Television is airing an anime that appears to be ripping off Japan's Pokémon, Naruto and Digimon franchises. More »

By The Way, Namco Bandai Owns (Most Of) D3

AJ Glasser — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:00:10 EDT

Last month, Namco Bandai announced plans to turn Puzzle Quest and Oneechanbara publisher D3Publisher into a subsidiary. Today, the plan went into action. More »

The Difference Between PS2 And PS3 Naruto

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST

Know why PS3 title Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm from developer CyberConnect2 looks better? More polygons, more better, that's why. Let's put things in perspective: The Naruto character model that appeared in PS2 games was made of just 3,723 polygons. However! The Ultimate Ninja Storm Naruto is made of 16,927 polygons — his head alone is created from more polygons than the entire PS2 Naruto character. Ultimate, indeed. Naruto Ultimate Storm [Bandai Games via Siliconera] More »

Naruto: The Broken Bond Demo is Up on XBLA

Owen Good — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EDT

Not rock-the-foundations-of-gaming stuff, but Naruto fans might be interested to know that the demo of Naruto: The Broken Bond, is up on Xbox Live. I think Major Nelson forgot to mention this. Anyway, it clocks in at 765 MB and lets you take a peek at the latest installment of the anime action adventure game, which drops Nov. 18 in North America and Nov. 21 in Europe. Fahey took a look at a video and weighed in with his impressions back around E3 timeish. More »

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Screens Appear Out Of Nowhere

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:00:00 EDT

Naruto? Not really our "thing." Chalk it up to ignorance, the daunting back story and the unwillingness to do the work involved to become interested. But the games tend to look spectacular, with Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm for the PlayStation 3 no exception. We can only imagine how intensely 10-year old version of us would have been blown away by seeing a cartoon so accurately portrayed in video game form. More »

D3 Publisher: Boobs, Sheep, and Aliens, Oh My!

Maggie Greene — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:20:00 EDT

At this year's E3, D3 Publisher had several offerings to show off, ranging from kiddie show spin offs and more Naruto games to M-rated boobs and gore, as well as the 'spiritual successor' of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. While I passed by the Naruto games due to time constraints and lack of interest, I did look at five other games: Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, Onechanbara, Ben 10: Alien Force, Bangai-O Spirits, and Shaun the Sheep. Hit the jump for some art assets from the games and impressions. More »

Naruto Hitting DS Again In Path of the Ninja 2

Leigh Alexander — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:20:00 EDT

Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2, a sequel to October 2007's DS title, is in the works from D3Publisher and Tomy Corporation, planned for a September 2008 release. More »

DBZ Burst Limit - Trunks Vs. Recoome

Mike Fahey — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EDT

Here's a clip from Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit, showing off the battle stylings of the proof that Vegeta and Bulma got it on, Trunks, and the giant developmentally-disabled child Recoome. Things seem to be going well for the big lug until Trunks' hair gets blond and spiky, and then even spikier. Blond and spiky equals doom. As far as the gameplay goes, I was far more impressed by earlier screenshots than I am by the game in motion, especially in light of what I've seen of Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm. Face it Dragon Ball Z, it's much easier for fans to slip on a Leaf Village headband than craft their own giant foam hair. Maybe it's time to hang up the emergency orange outfits and move on. *flees* More »

Tomy Brings Improved Ninja Destiny In February

Mike Fahey — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:20:08 EST

Quite surprising for an anime license, the Naruto series has spawned some really excellent games both in the U.S. and Japan, though the Japanese release of Naruto: Ninja Destiny as Naruto: Shinobi Retsuden was pretty mediocre, with a crawling frame rate, poor graphics, and an extremely limited cast of characters. Rather than release the same crap stateside secure in the knowledge that Leaf Village headband wearing fans everywhere would buy it anyway, developer Tomy went and fixed it first.

"We've listened to the fans and made a slew of improvements to the Japanese original, including a much faster frame rate, additional characters, and never-before-seen content," said Laura Yoshioka, director, consumer software of TOMY Corporation.

The 3D fighter now boasts an impressive 16 different characters, with storylines up to the 140th episode of the anime, which I am about 80 episodes away from seeing currently. The new and improved Naruto: Ninja Destiny will be in stores next month. Much love to Tomy for going above and beyond for the U.S. release! More »

Naruto's Turning Japanese

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:00:30 EST

Ubisoft promised. Ubisoft delivered. The Japanese language track for Naruto: Rise of the Ninja popped up on Xbox LIVE late last week. The English version doesn't feature all the original dub actors, meaning that the character has different voices between cut scenes and in-game audio. The Japanese track is apparently consistent. What's more, Ubisoft is making this language track available free of charge, filling us with warm fuzzy feelings. Hugs all around! More »

Taken To Naruto School

Mike Fahey — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:40:47 EDT

As much as I make fun of Naruto-mania, I still contend that some of the best fighting games of this decade have sprung forth from the series, particularly the import-only Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen 4 for the GameCube, so when my bleary, glasses-craving eyes (my glasses were lost in a taxi Wednesday night) saw the versus mode of Naruto: Rise of the Ninja for the 360 running on a large flat panel in the main exhibit hall at E3, I had to stop and give it a try. Manning the controls was a pretty blonde PR woman, or at least I know she was pretty now having seen the picture I took. I like to save the eyestrain headache for when I am looking at actual games. She invited me to play a few rounds, and I did so, expecting to wow her with my mad Naruto skills. I beat her one out of three rounds the first match, and only then because she stopped to give me some pointers while I kept attacking. Two more matches went by, two more losses for me. Either she was a big Naruto fan or - I let my eyes focus on what she was wearing... More »

D3Publisher Reveals E3 Line Up, Calls It "Solid"

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:20:31 EDT

The product announcements just keep flowing like delicious wine, the kind that calm our shakes, as D3Publisher of America announces its license-rich line up of software on hand at E3 2007. While fare like Naruto and Ben 10, both Cartoon Network properties are sure to sell with ease based on their following, some original efforts like Dark Sector, Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire and Dead Head Fred will also make an appearance. You're right, that is a lot of Ds. If you're so inclined, make your way over to the full release after the jump, to see what D3 calls "solid." I'd say it ranges somewhere between "outta site" and "butter layin' it to the bone, jaggin' me up." More »

Naruto Mojo Rising

Mike Fahey — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:30:34 EDT

Naruto continues to be the anime sensation that is sweeping our nation and I really don't understand why. Then again I didn't like the format the first time round when it was called Dragon Ball Z, so maybe I'm not the target audience. If you are the target audience, then you'll enjoy seven new screenshots for Naruto: Rise of the Ninja for the Xbox 360, the game that looks to incorporate RPG, action, platforming and of course fighting elements into one game, which while it sounds like a nifty idea, it also sounds like a big potential mess. Naruto fans will buy it anyway, of course. I think those metal swirly headbands do something to their brains. More »

Naruto Stays Japanese On Xbox 360

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 07:00:02 EDT

For purists, subtitles are better than dubs. Just think how Sega's Yakuza could've been better with the original Ryu Ga Gotoku voice track. Just! Well, leave it to the French to get it right with Naruto. Ubisoft's North American arm is developing Naruto: Rise of a Ninja, but including the original voice actors from the anime. That's right! The French game maker is including a Japanese voice track with English language subtitles. What's more, everything in the game has been approved by the creators of the original series. Well done, Ubisoft. Brian Ashcraft More »

Naruto RPG on DS

Kim Phu — Thu, 31 May 2007 10:40:00 EDT

The first Naruto RPG in North America wil be in the form of a Nintendo DS game and it is planning to arrive this Fall. TOMY and D3Publishers of America announced yesterdat that the game based on the popular Japanese animated series (I don't know anyone who watches it in the States, but I'm sure there are some post-Yu-Gi-Oh fans who have globbed onto it) will feature new original content and scenarious that have never been seen before. More »

Noisey Naruto Trailer For Xbox 360

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 15 May 2007 02:00:24 EDT

Here's look at Ubisoft's Xbox 360 exclusive Naruto: Rise of the Ninja, which is due out this fall. Not a big Naruto fan, but I could see myself playing this. Perhaps. Maybe. Brian Ashcraft More »

Outside World Getting Blue Dragon Anime

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:00:16 EDT

San Francisco-based anime and manga giant VIZ Media announced that it has acquired the Blue Dragon television, home video and non-video game merchandising rights for the Americas, Europe and Oceania. Kids in Fiji, your prayers have been answered! The cartoon is based on the Xbox 360 game, which is the first time Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama and Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu have collaborated since Chrono Trigger. The anime is from the studio responsible for Naruto and is helmed by Rave Master director Yukihiro Matsushita and the character designer for Ichi the Killer: Episode 0. Lead character Shu is voiced by the same actor who does Shizune in Naruto. No word as to when the anime will hit American television screens, but it's bound to be way after the fan subs. Brian Ashcraft More »

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Sales Chart

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:30:52 EDT

Japan has baseball fever! With no less than four baseball titles in the top thirty (five if you count Wii Sports), it's clear that Gundam and Naruto aren't the only games in town. Or the country. Or whatever. More »

Clips: Naruto: Ninja Council 3 on DS

Brian Crecente — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:00:43 EDT

Gallery: Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes

Mike Fahey — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:20:08 EDT

I'm of two minds on the subject of Naruto. On one hand, it's the sort of anime phenomenon that invades and devours other aspects of fandom like termites devouring a house. You can't talk about anime without Naruto coming up, and you cannot go to an anime con these days without seeing at least 100 of the stupid headbands. More »

Gamestop Getting Into Imports?

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 18:40:23 EST

Is Gamestop/EBgames getting into the import biz? If so, they're just putting their toes in, trying to see if the water is cold. Spotted by the Gamespot (not Gamestop) "Retail Radar", two big name import titles are now for sale on the North American branch of the retailer's web site. More »

For A Ninja, Naruto Holds Up Books Well

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 10:22:05 EDT

We must agree with Alice over at Wonderland. Even if you don't read Naruto manga, watch the anime or play the video games, these book ends are pretty cool. The US $174.99 pricetag, however, is not. Brian Ashcraft More »

Sexy Naruto Shoes

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 22 May 2006 20:47:05 EDT

We all know that Crecente has a ~~pirate~~ shoe fetish. Not just any shoes will do. No, for Crecente's itch, he needs to be scratched by gaming shoes. Good thing reader coalhalo found these Naruto sneaker send-ups. These ninja kicks are called "Air Rivals," retail for US $63 and go on sale June 17th in Japan. But bad news Crecente, these only come in children's sizes. More »

New Naruto Screens Hit

Brian Crecente — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 18:05:22 EDT

PS2's Swan Song

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 13:21:15 EDT

With the next gen PlayStation machine around the corner, it's time to cash in on the current model while Sony still can. Hence, the PlayStation 2: The Best collection, which will be hitting Japanese game shops November 2. I'm not sure if these are in fact the best. (I could spout off more appealing titles.) Nor, do I understand how the heck Sony is pricing these puppies. More »