NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS is an anime arena fighting game based on the hit anime shows Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations developed by Bandai Namco. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Review Overview
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Fast-paced Ninja Battles Incredible Visuals Special Story is Pretty Good Beginner Friendly | Online Multiplayer Needs Improvement History Mode is a Graphically Updated Compilation Of Previous Storm Stories |
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Overall - 84/100
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS is an arena fighting game with great gameplay, spectacular visuals, and a pretty good unique storyline to come with it. While some modes are lackluster, like the history mode being just a compilation of all the Storm games' stories, the game has everything you'd want in a game adaptation of an anime.
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Story - 8/10
The game did a good job on its Special Story mode, which featured an interesting new story set in the Boruto timeline. The story is about a new villain who is set on starting the fifth great ninja war by brainwashing nations, and then establishing himself as the sole ruler. It’s fresh, fun, intense, and captivating. However, History Mode, which features the entirety of the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden series storylines, is only a compilation of all the previous story modes of the Storm games, which hurts the story score by a little bit.
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Gameplay - 9/10
Naruto games are often very fun and this entry is no exception. Storm Connections features the signature flashy 3D ninja combat the series is known for. The game features the largest roster of all the Naruto games, with over 130 ninjas, each with their own unique jutsus and movesets based off of the anime. The chakra system, substitutions, and the ninja movement in this game all contribute to making this a great anime fighting game.
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Visuals - 9/10
This game is a visual masterpiece. Naruto games are known for its over-the-top visuals, especially when it comes to the Ultimate Jutsu cutscenes. The next-gen graphic update this entry brings takes this to the next level. Graphics are inconsistent at times, with some cutscenes not matching the full HD graphics of the rest of the game. Additionally, History Mode still featured the slideshow of anime screenshots, which I think is a pretty dated way to tell a story. Should these issues be fixed, I would’ve rated this a 10. The sheer spectacle and overall graphic performance of this game carried this score to a 9.
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Audio - 8/10
The game’s distinct soundtrack definitely sounds like something you’d hear in an episode of the anime. Additionally, they also feature the original voice actors for the English and Japanese language settings of the game. It was very nostalgic and reminded me of the good old days of binge-watching the show.
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Value for Money - 8/10
The value of this game depends on you. If you’ve played all of the Storm games to completion, there’s not much waiting for you here storywise. However, if you’ve played just some, or if you’ve never played at all, this game provides excellent value for its $60 price tag. Its History mode will run you through the entirety of Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, making it an excellent way to experience one of the most popular anime shows of all time, without watching 720 episodes. Moreover, a simple control scheme makes this game very beginner friendly.
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Review: The Most Complete Naruto Ninja Experience
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS is an excellent fighting game at its core, with fast-paced ninja gameplay, stunning visuals, and a pretty good Special Story Mode to go along with it. There’s also a History Mode, which essentially covers the entirety of the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden storylines, albeit in outdated ways, like slideshows of anime screenshots paired with audio from the scene. Additionally, there’s Free Battle Mode and Online Battle Mode, which allow you to quickly get into combat either offline or online respectively.
Gameplay in this game feels exceptional. It’s already been good since the original Storm game. It features fast-paced ninja combat, visually stunning jutsus, and the largest roster of any Naruto game, with over 130 ninjas to choose from. Each of these ninja have their own unique moveset that perfectly captures how they fight in the anime. There’s a variety in playstyles dependent on the character’s moves and abilities. Sasori and Kankuro use their puppets to fight from a safe distance, and so does Deidara with his ranged explosives. Minato will swiftly zip across the battlefield, while Naruto will use his clones and Rasengans. All these in full, visually striking HD.
The game is more accessible than ever. Back then, story modes would only cover a segment of the Naruto story. Players with no prior knowledge of Naruto wouldn’t understand what’s going on at all. History Mode is essentially all of the Story Modes of previous Storm games combined, and covers the whole 700+ episode Naruto storyline, fillers excluded of course. Additionally, the game features a brand new control scheme you could switch to called Simple Mode, which offers a much simpler approach to combat, allowing you to pull off complex combos with just repeatedly tapping one button. The game is great for new and old players, with or without knowledge on the show.
While the History Mode probably wouldn’t excite the hardcore fans of this game series, since it’s exactly the same as previous Storm Story Modes if you don’t factor in the revamped graphics, the Special Story Mode surely will. It features a brand new story set in the Boruto timeline. I couldn’t go too much into detail without spoiling anything, but it’s about a powerful new threat who brainwashed the ninja world into fighting each other, bringing upon the Fifth Great Ninja War. For the first time ever, Naruto is a powerful brainwashed antagonist. This time around, it’s up to Sasuke and Boruto to save the world.
While the single player game modes feature smooth and fast-paced gameplay, the online multiplayer modes need improvement. There’s a bit of input lag, and the visual quality seems to go down when playing online. Additionally, the game doesn’t let you make custom online lobbies for you and your friends, which is really weird for a fighting game released in 2023 with online features.
Overall, I had a blast playing this game and I think it’s a very good game in general. Its issues, other than the lackluster online experience, is something I can look past. Its flaws are drowned out by its strengths, and the game looks and plays fantastic. The story is complete and I can finally go through the entire Naruto storyline without having to buy multiple games.
Pros of NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS
| Things NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Got Right |
|---|
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Fast-paced Ninja Battles Incredible Visuals Special Story is Pretty Good Beginner Friendly |
Fast-Paced Ninja Battles
Naruto games have been my favorite anime games ever since Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes released on PSP way back in 2007. In my opinion, they do it best, over Dragon Ball, My Hero Academia, and Attack on Titan. It’s always offered fun gameplay that perfectly captures the show’s overall vibe. This game does that and more. Each of the 130+ characters in the game feel unique, and true to their show/manga counterpart.
When your health bar gets low enough, you can perform an awakening, which powers up your character significantly. It’s different per character, with some undergoing total transformations while some just receiving a big damage boost but remain the same. For example, Sasori’s awakening form is his True Puppet form, which we see in action during his anime fight with Sakura and Chio. Early Shippuden Sasuke will transform into his curse mark V2 form, while characters like Ino, who doesn’t really have any other forms in the show, just hits harder but with the same moves. These, paired with jutsus, kunais, shurikens, substitutions, and ninja movement, make for an authentic Naruto experience.
While the series has essentially had the same fun, fast-paced gameplay since the original Ninja Storm game, improvements in this game include next-gen graphics, smoother gameplay, and combos feeling much better to execute. Jutsus can now work to extend your ninja’s combos. For example, a Fireball Jutsu can launch an opponent in the air, allowing you to follow-up and perform an aerial combo. Back then, a Fireball Jutsu would usually just send the opponent flying away and you couldn’t really follow up. Because of these, combat feels much smoother than it was in previous Storm games.
Incredible Visuals
The visuals in this game are just absolutely amazing. While the ninja fights look really good, it’s the story fight scenes and the Ultimate Jutsu cutscenes that really elevate this to the next level. The art style, the graphics, and the vivid colors of this game all harmoniously work together to give your eyes a feast. Ninja Storm games have always looked good in my opinion, but this game just really looks great. The character models, the special effects, and the environment are top-notch and my eyes just can’t get enough of it.
It’s not perfect though. Some cutscenes don’t match the graphical quality of the rest of the game, and the graphic performance takes a dip during online play.
Special Story is Pretty Good
While I have mixed feelings about the History Mode, the Special Story was definitely something I genuinely enjoyed. It’s a brand new story, and unlike most Naruto fillers, the stakes are huge and the story is engaging. Unlike the Naruto Shippuden War Arc which had too many things that made no sense, this story didn’t really have any plot holes (that I spotted) at all. Moreover, it had its fair share of twists and turns. Some were predictable, but some definitely caught me off guard. The villains were pretty cool, with a brand new Uchiha, and a ruthless antagonist who idolizes Pain.
Beginner Friendly
Ultimate Ninja Storm games can be pretty intimidating for beginners to take up. On top of the fast-paced movement and combat, there’s also substitutions, jutsus, and other nuances to take note of. Luckily, there’s a brand new setting that can help you play a much simpler control scheme, should you be a beginner or someone who just sucks at the game. Simple control scheme will automatically integrate dashes and jutsus into your combos, and sometimes even the Ultimate Jutsu should you have the chakra for it. Instant offensive combos can be performed with just repeatedly tapping one button, so newbies can focus on defense and movement, which makes it significantly more accessible to newbies and noobs alike.
Cons of NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS
| Things That NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Can Improve |
|---|
|
Online Multiplayer Needs Improvement History Mode is a Graphically Updated Compilation Of Previous Storm Stories |
Online Multiplayer Needs Improvement
Online multiplayer has the potential to be great, if only they fixed two issues. The first of which is the poor network and graphic performance of the game during online modes. My experience was pretty lackluster on Steam, with worse graphics compared to single player, screen stutters, and input lag. The next is how you couldn’t invite friends to play, as the game automatically queues you for a match once you pick the mode and set your team. You couldn’t make private online matches with friends at all. It’s funny how Boruto can play with his friends in the fictional VR game they play, but we can’t play matches with our real friends. If only the responsive gameplay and the graphic performance of the single player modes can be carried over to the Online Mode, then this would be something I’d get into frequently.
History Mode is a Graphically Updated Compilation Of Previous Storm Stories
History mode is complete, and covers the entirety of the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden storylines. This is a first for a Naruto game as they often just cover a segment of the story. While it’s nice to have it all in one game, it’s essentially all the Storm Story Modes with a graphical update.
Some new things were present, like a couple of new cutscenes, but overall feels lackluster. The Naruto vs Gaara fight of Part 1 was reworked completely, so that part was fresh, but they only did that for that fight and nothing else. An Indra vs Ashura fight was added in, but there’s nothing special about it. I personally have nothing against that, since I played my fair share of Storm games but I didn’t own all. However, something I really don’t like is how we still get slideshows of anime scenes that tell the story. In 2023, it just feels like an outdated storytelling technique. I wouldn’t mind taking in a couple more GBs for more cutscenes and way less slideshows.
Is NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Worth It?
Believe It!
Strong gameplay, fresh story, a complete recap of the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden storylines, over 130 unique characters, and the original English and Japanese voice actors. What more could you ask for in a Naruto game? The visual spectacle present in this game is something to behold, especially during cutscenes. I recommend everyone to try the game out, and not just Naruto fans since its gameplay holds its own as a fighting game as well. Moreover, it’s the perfect time to get in on it since the story is complete and they introduced a simple control scheme aimed towards new players.
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Overview & Premise
Relive the original Naruto and Naruto Shippuden story through History Mode, a complete story mode that follows the show's most important moments from start to finish. Experience a never-before-seen Special Story Mode set in the Boruto timeline featuring brand new villains and a captivating story. In this mode, the Fifth Great Ninja War has come, thanks to a mysterious new villain capable of controlling even the most powerful ninjas, like the Seventh Hokage, Naruto, himself. The fate of the world lies in Sasuke and Boruto’s hands.
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS FAQ
Who are the playable characters in NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS?
The game features over 130 characters, spanning from the original Naruto series, all the way up to Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
What languages does NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS come in?
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS comes in 6 different audio language settings: English, French, German, Latin American Spanish, European Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Japanese. Additionally, it comes in 15 different text languages: English, French, Italian, German, European Spanish, Arabic, Latin American Spanish, Thai, Brazilian Portugese, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Indonesian.
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Trailers
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Special Story Mode Trailer
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Anime Opening Song Trailer
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Release Date Trailer
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Game System Trailer
Game8 Reviews
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Product Information
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| Title | NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 17, 2023 |
| Developer | CyberConnect2 |
| Publisher | BNE Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc. |
| Supported Platforms | PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows |
| Genre | Fighting game, Action game, Adventure game, Adventure |
| Number of Players | 1-2 |
| PEGI Rating | 12 |
| Official Website | NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS Website |
