Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen 2 [GC/JPN]

NCS Product Synopsis
Update: December 4, 2003
«©NCSX» Earlier this year, Tomy's cel-shaded sleeper of a fighting game found an appreciative audience. A consistent complaint however was the lack of characters. Tomy listened to the plaintive cries and has answered with a sequel that bumps the character roster to a total of 20 and throws in a 4-player option. In addition to the core crew of Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi, there's also the likes of Gai, Gaara, Hinata, Ino, Kankuro, Kiba, Neji, Rock Lee, Shikamaru, and a few more. With an extensive crop of ninja to choose from and new supers to pull off, fighting game fans will undoubtedly have a field day with a sequel that retains all the elements that made the first game great.

   Ten characters are selectable at first but place holders for 10 additional characters may be unlocked eventually. At the outset of each battle, the fighters do a little posturing in a short cinematic interlude before the action begins. Many of the same moves from the first Naruto may be found herein with Naruto doing his arched back wallop and jaunty high kicks. Impressive super attacks may be pulled off where a cinematic sequence shows the fighter concentrating and then owning the opponent completely for a few seconds of screen magic. Effects include little dust clouds that kick up as fighters scurry about and fluorescent light sparks which demonstrate the impact of blows. Some background montages also feature spot animation while others are entirely static. Energetic music and smashing effects meld well with the action for a pleasing fighting experience.