The Naruto anime series is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and to celebrate, developer CyberConnect2 Co and publisher BANDAI NAMCO has the next installment in the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm arean-fighter series, called NARUTO x BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS. There are over 130 characters on the roster and a fantastic number of tag team combinations whose relationships impact their winning finishing moves and the all-new anime cinematics they trigger.
On those celebratory anime moments, NARUTO x BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS is the first time in one game that players will be able to relive selected scenes from Naruto’s childhood until his final battle with Sasuke through anime scenes and in-game battles. It nails the emotional impact and one that is immediately recognizable to fans new and old alike. But the game isn’t just about reliving the past. NARUTO x BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS also pushes players to experience a new story exclusive to the game.
Get BWT in your inbox!
Get BWT in your inbox!
Additionally, players of past Ultimate Ninja STORM games can see it all with updated graphics, all while they explore the largest roster of beloved characters to play compared to any Ultimate Ninja STORM game in the past. BANDAI NAMCO pulled out all of the stops to celebrate such a large anniversary. While that long roster still has yet to be fully revealed, we do know that players will get the chance to play as Naruto and Sasuke (both from the first series and Boruto), Boruto and Kawaki, and it also features brand new additions Ashura and Indra Otsutsuki, the brothers who started legendary ninja clans.
When it comes to fighting games, a high skill ceiling can often make it hard for newcomers. That said, the implementation of simple button mapping akin to Street Fighter 6’s Dynamic Controls allows the game to be accessible by those who have never played a fighting game or those who have been out of it for some time, while keeping the regular scheme allows the challenge to be maintained for the veteran players. While accessibility is always important, there is a special element in how its implemented in NARUTO x BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS. Here, it’s done so that everyone can play, but more importantly, so that this anniversary celebration of a game can see former Naruto fans come back to the game and the anime they once loved.
For many of us, Naruto was a part of our childhood, and being able to revisit that and fall in love again is a unique experience that can connect us to the newer generations who are fans of Boruto as much as the first generations. And as a starter for either series or a reentry point, the way that the game integrates anime moments big and small packs a nostalgiac punch that will keep you coming back and exploring the combinations of over 130 characters to see what they trigger next as a tag team.
This isn’t to say that NARUTO x BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS doesn’t come with its own unique elements, but as someone who fell out of the Naruto franchise before Shipudden finished, getting hands-on for a few fights reminded me about why I fell in love with it in the first place, particularly when I played as Guy and Rock Lee.
NARUTO x BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS is available now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
