Naruto as a franchise has been around for more than 20 years, starting as a manga series and eventually branching out to multiple anime series, movies, novels, and, of course - video games. So far, there have been more than 60 Naruto games, some of which I thoroughly enjoyed and some I'd rather forget playing—let's go through them all!
Naruto Games Tier List
Tier | Games |
---|---|
S | Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3, Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, 3 & 4, |
A | Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact, Naruto Clash Of Ninja 2, Naruto: Ninja Council, Naruto Shippūden: Gekitō Ninja Taisen! Special |
B | Naruto: Powerful Shippuden, Naruto: Rise Of A Ninja, Naruto: Broken Bond, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, Naruto Shippuden: Naruto Vs. Sasuke, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2, |
C | Naruto: Clash Of Ninja, Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress, Naruto: Path of The Ninja, Naruto: Ninja Council 3, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja |
D | Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles, Naruto Shippūden 3D: The New Era, Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Council 4, Naruto Shinobi No Sato No Jintori Kassen, Naruto Shippuden: Dragon Blade Chronicles |
S-Tier Naruto Games
The games in this tier are the ones that had the most significant impact on the franchise, contributing to its popularity by making the biggest gameplay improvements and amassing a cult following in their stride.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
Released in 2008 for the PlayStation 3, the first Ultimate Ninja Storm severed ties with the Ultimate Ninja series and paved the way for the series we all know and love. It successfully implemented 3D fighting mechanics without sacrificing immersion thanks to its gorgeous cell-shaded graphics and vibrant open world. Snappy gameplay and fantastic combos made you feel like a true ninja, and its gameplay holds up to this day! The sequels might've surpassed it in every way, but this is the one that started it all.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution
Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution is a fan-favorite, and for good reason. On top of introducing a revamped combat system, it offered a selection of over 100 characters, each with unique skills and moves. Some of those characters were made exclusively for the game, while pre-existing characters received new abilities according to their stories in anime and manga. The tournament mode that pits you against three other ninjas made for fighting spectacles and hours of fun, and elevated the game above its predecessors.
A-Tier Naruto Games
These games are near-perfect renditions of our favorite ninja, boasting great game mechanics and with only a few cons that hold them back from getting the perfect score. I recommend playing all the games in this tier, as they hold up surprisingly well.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact
This beat-em-up Naruto game introduced massive clashes against over 100 enemies simultaneously - something I felt was underexplored in future titles. Ultimate Ninja Impact boasts a small but well-balanced roster of 20 characters, interactive stages, and many game modes. Being the last Naruto game for the PSP, it pushed the portable console to its absolute limits: gorgeous visuals, a versatile combat system, and an engaging story mode. If you have a PSP lying around, give this game a try.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations
The game that lets you clash kunais with both Naruto and Naruto Shippuden characters, Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations tapped into the rivalry of Naruto and Sasuke, following their path from Genin trainees to experienced Jōnin shinobis.
This game is arguably the most accessible to the casual audience, with characters having their own info cards to get you up to speed with their backstories. Great combat, engaging game modes, and a roster of 70 characters make Generations a must-play for every Naruto fan.
B-Tier Naruto Games
B-tier games are fine, featuring specific visual styles and an exciting approach to the franchise, which may or may not be up your alley, depending on your taste. If you ask me, they are still worth a playthrough.
Naruto: Powerful Shippuden
If you love Naruto for its humor, I thoroughly recommend this game. Naruto: Powerful Shippuden is somewhat forgotten due to being released exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS, but its fun 2D side-scrolling gameplay offers more than meets the eye. Play as Naruto or Rock Lee in this fun brawler that doesn't take itself too seriously, offering fun chibi-styled graphics and a plethora of light-hearted humor. It ain't much, but it's honest work!
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2
The sequel to Naruto: Ultimate Ninja on the PlayStation 2, Ultimate Ninja 2 plays it safe by adding more characters, better graphics, and a few gameplay additions to keep things fresh. The main draw is the character swap mechanic taken straight out of Tekken Tag, allowing you to switch between shinobis mid-battle. The lack of innovations kept this game from being A-tier or S-tier, but it remains a solid entry.
C-Tier Naruto Games
The Naruto games in this tier are mediocrity incarnate. These games were either lackluster from the start or did not stand the test of time, making them worth a playthrough only for die-hard fans.
Naruto: Clash Of Ninja
I tried to be lenient because Clash Of Ninja is among the first Naruto games ever, but nostalgia glasses can't hide this game's evident flaws. A lackluster selection of characters, rough gameplay mechanics, and the lack of content make Clash Of Ninja an underwhelming fighting game. Truth be told, this game walked so that Ultimate Ninja and Ultimate Ninja Storm could run, which is why it's not D-tier.
Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress
Naruto's debut on the PSP is nothing to write home about. The Phantom Fortress scraps the Ultimate Ninja storyline in favor of an original retelling that falls in comparison, and all the elements from its PS2 counterparts are translated without adding anything new to the experience. The repetitive gameplay won't drain your PSP's battery, that's for sure.
Related: Roblox Naruto RPG Beyond Codes
D-Tier Naruto Games
Even the most devoted Naruto fans should avoid these awful games since they have no redeeming features and will only irk you to no end. Nothing to see here, folks.
Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles
Uzumaki Chronicles is an action-adventure game that would benefit from more content, less loading screens, and more polished gameplay. The movement is too stiff, the objectives could be more varied, and the fighting model could be more fun. Simply put, the game could've used more time in the oven, and the limitations of the PlayStation 2 didn't help its case—just a disappointment.
Naruto Shippuden 3D: The New Era
This one makes Uzumaki Chronicles look like Elden Ring in comparison. The Nintendo 3DS wasn't a powerful handheld, but that doesn't excuse the game's bland 2D backgrounds and poor platforming. The decent story is held back by barebone content and sluggish controls, and quick-time events being the highlight of this game tell you everything you need to know. Stay away from this one.
Looking for more Naruto content? Check out Roblox Naruto Defense Simulator Codes on Pro Game Guides.
Published: Nov 13, 2023 11:54 am