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Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 Review for PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 Review for PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Naruto Heroes Up Again

Almost ten years ago, a spiky blonde Ninja named Naruto burst onto the scene and became an instant hit in both Japan and the US. Although, Naruto has become a staple in both the anime and video game world, enthusiasm for the series has cooled in recent years. However, that hasn’t stopped the Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja franchise from forging ahead. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 is the latest title in the PSP-only Ultimate Ninja spinoff series. As a spinoff of one of the many series that have been spawned by the Naruto franchise, you can expect a lot of rehashed content from other entries in the Ultimate Heroes series, as well as other Naruto games.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 screenshot

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The story in Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 is the same story that we’ve seen in basically every Shippuden title produced thus far. Naruto has just returned from his journey with the Senin Jiraiya and returns to find Konoha almost exactly as he left it. However, trouble is brewing in the Sand nation, and it seems that the nefarious Akatsuki organization is behind it. This is all very familiar territory for Naruto fans, and though there are some new elements to the story, it is mostly well-tread ground, which makes it a bit boring for fans who have played other Shippuden games. If you haven’t played other Shippuden games and are looking for a game to tell you the story of Naruto Shippuden in a cohesive manner, this title isn’t for you either, as it assumes familiarity with the Naruto universe and doesn’t go into much detail about the events presented in the narrative. No matter which way you approach it, the story in Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 is just not up to par.

From a gameplay standpoint, Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 does a little better, but if you are tired of the same old Ultimate Ninja formula, steer clear, as there is not much new in the battle system. However, the format of the game has actually been revised quite a bit and does feel fresh. When you start up the story mode, you are able to view cinema-style plot scenes, take on missions, and purchase power-ups for your character to use. The power-ups are an interesting element to the gameplay, and you can try different power-ups for difficult levels and play to your tactical strengths.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 screenshot

Much like other Ultimate Ninja titles, Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 boasts a robust collection feature that allows you to unlock small figurines and wallpapers to look at after completing special missions and spending in-game currency. The collections feature doesn’t really enhance the gameplay, but if you are a Naruto completionist, getting these little in-game items can add some substantial replay value.

However, once you’ve played through the story and gotten all the collectibles, there isn’t much left to do. While other fighting games have supplemented story modes with survivor, challenge, or online modes, Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 only has a computer versus mode and an ad-hoc multiplayer mode. Though it is nice to have ad-hoc multiplayer and support for four-player brawls, these options don’t make the game feel as complete as it should.

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Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 screenshot

The game’s visuals also feel like they are not as good as they could be. Cinema scenes are delivered via stoic character models that barely move except to change expression. While this type of plot scene might have been acceptable four or five years ago, we’ve seen that the PSP is capable of far superior graphics, and it is a shame to see the hardware not put to use. The in-game graphics also suffer from low overall quality. Most of the game’s platform-style levels feature bland environments composed of repetitive elements. Though fighting stages are a little more detailed, they don’t have the depth that other fighting stages in the Ultimate Ninja series have featured.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 screenshot

Though the visuals are disappointing, the sound in Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 is excellent. The game features both English and Japanese voiceover, with lines and dialogue from the anime performed by the original voice actors. The music in the game is also sampled from the anime, and it is quite pleasant to listen to.

Your enjoyment of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 will depend upon your familiarity with both the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes series as well as the Naruto Shippuden storyline. If you’ve experienced either of these things before, then you know exactly what you are in for and will probably be disappointed by the game’s lack of new content.

If you’ve never played an Ultimate Ninja Heroes game before, you may get some enjoyment out of this title, but because of the exclusionary nature of the storyline, don’t expect to understand much of the plot. If we do get another follow up in the Ultimate Ninja Heroes series, I really hope there will be some innovation brought to the table and not more of the same, rehashed content.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 2.4 Graphics
Character models are stoic and environments are bland. 3.5 Control
Battle system is easy to learn and will feel familiar to Ultimate Ninja series fans. 4.0 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Voiceovers in both English and Japanese sound great, and background music is pleasant to listen to. 3.0 Play Value
Though there is plenty to explore in the game’s story mode, the story is all well-tread ground and there aren’t any supporting modes other than an ad-hoc multiplayer mode. 3.1 Overall Rating – Fair
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • In Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 players can re-live the Naruto Shippuden storyline up to the Hidan and Kakuzu arc in the new Master Road mode as they follow the Nine-Tail Fox ninja in his continuing adventures to save his friend Sasuke.
  • With more than 80 action-packed missions, players’ skills are put to the test as they face intense battles using one of more than 50 characters.
  • Now for the first time in the series’ history, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 expands upon the series’ renowned fighting engine and updates it for four-player brawls. Through an ad-hoc connection, players can team up with a partner to take on opponents while unleashing devastating Jutsu attacks or single-handedly battle multiple enemies.
  • Additionally, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 features a three-player cooperative mode which allows players to experience select adventures in the main story. As Naruto explores familiar settings throughout the Leaf and Sand villages, players will also be tasked to complete specific missions including winning battles, evading danger and much more.

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