Another Round for Naruto in Ultimate Ninja 3
By Louis Bedigian

“Play is faster and punchier (pun intended).”

As more fighting games become console exclusives, never stepping in the realm of public gaming (not even in Japan), developers have adjusted their use of bonus content. Cheat codes and hidden characters are no longer enough – now you’ve got to have a story mode, mini-games, and other value-adding content.

The Naruto: Ultimate Ninja series has been at the forefront of these console-exclusive changes. In Ultimate Ninja 3, great fighting action is still paramount. But there will be several features in the game that would have never been found in an arcade cabinet. “The game’s centerpiece is the original story mode called Ultimate Contest,” said Andrew Davis, Associate Localization Producer. “The gist is that Tsunade, the village leader, has decided to hold an all-out battle royale contest pitting ninja against each other, young and old alike.”

In Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3, players can be a part of the defining moments of the Story Arc 1 in Hero’s History mode. Tell us about this feature and how it will impact the gameplay.

Andrew Davis: Hero’s History mode is like a recap of the most climactic moments in the TV series, except when the heroes and villains throw down, that’s when the player steps in to administer the beatdown. Not only is this mode a good overview of the series, but it’s also the way you unlock most of the characters to play in other modes.

In what ways can you enhance your character(s) using the Ultimate Jutsu/customization feature?

AD: New to Ultimate Ninja 3 is the ability to choose which Ultimate Jutsu you’d like to use right before a fight. This feature is more than cosmetic; some of these splashy techniques also enhance your abilities. Neji, for instance, can fight in Byakugan mode, and series fans can probably guess what happens if Naruto unleashes his inner Nine-Tailed Fox...

Another element of UN3 sounds like it came from Final Fantasy: Summoning mode. How does it work and what's it all about?

AD: This is another ability of certain characters’ Ultimate Jutsu – if they can pull it off, they actually summon a huge creature to fight for them, such as Naruto’s giant frog Gamabunta or Orochimaru’s giant snake Manda. In this sequence, the summoner actually controls the attacks of the creature, while the luckless opponent has to dodge and try to sneak in their own attacks.

What are the Hidden Leaf Village missions going to be like? The same as before?

AD: The structure is similar to the mission mechanics of Ultimate Ninja 2, where you can take missions from various people in the village in the more freeform areas of the story. But there are other events in store such as the ability to cultivate a friendship with various characters by doing nice things for them.

How has the game's core mechanics evolved since the last game? Are any significant changes being made?

AD: The fighting engine retains the core gameplay fans enjoyed in the previous games, but even the returning characters have had many abilities and animations altered. Overall, play is faster and punchier (pun intended). There are many more stages and combat items to explore this time around.

More than 40 characters are being included. Who's new? Who's returning?

AD: Except for one or two secret and alternate characters from the previous game, pretty much everyone’s back, including favorites like Naruto (of course), Kakashi, and Itachi. This time around, they’re joined by characters introduced recently in the series, like Sakon, Kimimaro, and the other members of the Sound Five, as well as Asuma, Anko.

Are new moves or combos being added to the mix?

AD: Most certainly! Many characters have a redesigned set of attacks, combos, and ninjutsu available, and several jutsu can be learned by multiple characters. Gaara’s already scary, but imagine him with jutsu learned from new villains like Jirobo and Sakon!

What can you tell us about the stages/environments?

AD: One of the coolest things about Ultimate Contest mode is the fact that the Hidden Leaf Village now has a free-roaming camera, meaning you can explore in full 3D. Naruto can climb walls and leap from building to building, smashing things along the way. As for the fighting stages, most of the popular stages are returning, along with several new environments such as a giant spider web and a sweeping cliff side that fans will recognize from the TV series.

Music, movies and cards are offered as unlockable content. Could you tell us about those? (The kinds of movie clips – are they from the show? etc.)

AD: The movie clips are scenes from the Ultimate Jutsu, the cinematic hyper-attacks each ninja can wield during a fight. Other things you can collect include character voices and virtual figurines.

Are there any other unlockable bonuses, features, etc.?

AD: There’s a new lineup of mini-game challenges. The tree-climbing training game fans enjoyed in Ultimate Ninja 2 is back with a more competitive two-player option, joined by other games such as a shuriken target-practice game. Speaking of shuriken, you get to throw them around the Leaf Village, too – it’s the only way to knock down some of the special scrolls you need to get the powerful Ultimate Jutsu.

Anything else we should know that hasn't been covered? Any other Naruto firsts the world is not yet aware of?

AD: We’re pleased to announce that we were able to secure the rights to the Japanese voice track for this game! The English TV cast is also participating, of course, so players will have their choice of either set of voices as they show off their mystical combat techniques.

Thank you for your time.

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