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Bleach: The Blade of Fate

EMAIL PRINT ds

9.6 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 32 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 12 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Treasure

Genre(s): Action, Fighting

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: October 9, 2007

Summary

(Also known as "Bleach DS") Players face a variety of opponents as one of 28 highly-stylized characters in intense action-packed battles based on the animated series. Bleach: The Blade of Fate on the Nintendo DS brings a twist to the traditional 2D fighting game with a new kind of battle system that enables players to move between upper and lower split-plane battle arenas to chase after or escape from opponents. The game also allows gamers to build Spirit Card Decks to strategically access power-ups and power-downs to perform special attacks, cast healing spells on themselves, displace opponents, or prohibit them from using their own Spirit Cards. Additionally, gamers can take to the streets battling against enemies with up to four players in fast-paced combat via the Nintendo DS' Wi-Fi capabilities. [Sega]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Modojo

Really, though, it's all about getting together with a few friends and beating the living tar out of each other. Up to four players can take part in a fight, selecting from 26 characters throughout the game.

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Game Chronicles

The game isn’t a perfect 10 but its close. I definitely recommend that you pick up Bleach: The Blade of Fate as soon as you can. If you're a die-hard fan or you just want a good fighter, then look no further.

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Siliconera

As far as handheld fighting games go, Bleach DS: Souten ni Kakeru Unmei is among the best. The fighting system is well designed with lots of special moves and defensive options. There is enough depth to the system where you can really see the difference between an expert player and someone who just purchased the game. [JPN Import]

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GameBrink

At the end of the day Bleach should have been the best fighting game to ever grace a portable, but there's just one major sticking point keeping it away from that goal: the d-pad. [JPN Import]

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Cheat Code Central

This game exceeded all expectations I had, not only for an anime game but for any handheld title. It's multitude of modes coupled with the great gameplay and ultra-immersive online modes really make this one stand out from the crowd!

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GameDaily

This 2-D brawling game has classic fighting gameplay, visuals and sound that stay true to the show. The four-player bouts justify the price of admission, either online against others via Wi-Fi Connection or playing locally with friends.

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Pocket Gamer UK

It's been a long time coming but DS owners finally have a decent brawler to enjoy - Bleach: Blade of Fate offers peerless scrapping action.

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AceGamez

This Bleach is powerful stuff. It cuts through the grime of other games in the genre, washing away the competition without a second thought.

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N-Europe

Great job from Treasure, very well balanced and great fun once mastered. The best fighting game on DS, at least outside of Japan.

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Worth Playing

It's got a good learning curve, a wide range of characters, proper story modes, audio seemingly pulled direct from the series, beautifully animated graphics and it mixes up battles in a few surprising new ways.

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GameZone

The Blade of Fate is not only the best Bleach game so far but it’s also the best fighting game to grace the Nintendo DS.

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Deeko

The DS has been around for three years and we finally have a fighting game worth playing!

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Nintendo Power

Even if the word "bleach" makes you think more cleanser than cartoon, Blade of Fate will appeal to any fan of well-executed, feature-heavy fighters. [Dec 2007, p.81]

1UP

The visuals, bright and detailed and charming, faithfully represent the feudalistic atmosphere of Bleach. The gameplay is simple to learn, thanks to the helpful tutorial and challenge modes that depicts combo of every character. And, despite the easy learning curve, it contains enough substance for intelligent and adrenaline-fueled matches.

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GameSpot

Bleach: The Blade of Fate is a great fighting game that will appeal to fans of the show and general fans of the fighting genre.

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IGN

Treasure went all-out in developing a DS fighter that plays, acts, and looks better than any of its competition, and it shows, as Bleach is hands-down the best fighter on the system.

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GamingTrend

If you are a fan of fighting games, then you’ll definitely want to consider picking it up, as it’s one of the best fighting games on the DS.

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Gaming Age

The AI can be challenging, and towards the end it does border on cheap at times. However, everything feels pretty well balanced, and when it comes to portable fighters, Bleach definitely sits at the top of the heap.

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GamingExcellence

Enter Bleach: The Blade of Fate. The game delivers great gameplay and superb graphics with plenty of single player game modes like arcade, versus, and challenge.

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GameSpy

It's okay to be a little wary, but unlike the previous poorly conceived anime-based games you've played, this one's the real deal.

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NintendoWorldReport

Aside from reading the cards (there are guides available online), importers shouldn't have too much trouble. The main menu is mostly spoken in English, so navigation is just a matter of listening closely, and the submenus aren't too difficult either. [JPN Import]

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Cubed3

Bleach: The Blade of Fate is a game that could be stripped of its anime roots and still be a great fighter.

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Gamer.nl

Given the fact that the gameplay still appeals lets us know we are dealing with a good quality product. So if you are looking for a nice fighting game with a beautifully worked out multiplayer, then Bleach: The Blade of Fate is definitely your game.

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Boomtown

A highly capable albeit niche fighter which plays to the strengths of the DS hardware.

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PALGN

Bleach: The Blade of Fate may be two years old, but it still comes across as a great anime-based title and is far and away one of the best fighters on the Nintendo DS.

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Gameplayer

If you want a 2D fighting game for your DS, then it would be tough to think of a better example than this.

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NGC Magazine UK

While being mostly traditional in substance and style, its use of stylus and internet play makes the old feel pretty new. [JPN Import; June 2006, p.30]

Digital Entertainment News

This is solid fighter slimmed down for you pocket. It doesn't hit it out of the park every time, but it is passable. The multiplayer is this games strongest suit, and with Wi-Fi it's better.

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Gamer 2.0

Once again, the developers at Treasure have done a hell of a job on nearly every aspect with this title. It's safe to say Bleach is the best fighting game on the DS but nothing like a console game.

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Edge Magazine

When it comes to multiplayer options, Bleach kills 99 per cent of known beat ‘em up stars – even the excellent Jump Superstars – dead. [JPN Import; Apr 2006, p.94]

Zentendo

Even if the branding were stripped from the title, this game would still be a solid and enjoyable fighting game. Bleach fans will enjoy the title more due to the nature of the storyline and the general presentation of the game.

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Eurogamer

If you're prepared to ignore its shortcomings and get to know it, there's an approachable beat-'em-up in here, even if it yields to your whim far too easily.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.6 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jeff K gave it a9:
I have never been a fan of the fighting genre but this game certainly changed my mind. The easy to pick up fighting mechanics and wide assortment of characters to choose from makes this game fun for anyone. I especially liked the touch screen buttons that replace the annoying button combos of other fighting games. I have tried the DS download multiplayer and it is excellent, they do nothing to limit the experience just because all of your friends dont have the game. The only thing that leaves a something to be desired is the story mode, but, if you care about the story you should watch the first three season of the tv show before buying the game.

Bryan M gave it a10:
good storyline??? lol, of course its good, its from the series, no new story! this game is great for any fighter gamer! my friend hates most anima games, but he loves this one now if I could get him to watch the show! this game has great 2D graphics and also uses the duel screens very well! it also has many charaters, not bad voice acting for a DS game ether! any way you look at it this is a must for all gamers! I would say its the best fighter on the DS!

Dukjin I. gave it a10:
Great game. Best fighter on the DS. Very good story mode... and multiple other modes. If you like Bleach, game is an 11. If you dont' know Bleach, game is a 9. I haven't tried the online or wireless play yet, but even if the wireless part turns out mediocre (I've read it's actually really good), the single player is already worth a 10.

Alex M. gave it a9:
Brilliant multiplayer and a fun arcade mode that will keep you wanting to try out your next special move or new killer combination. good game based version of the popular anime minus the story ofcourse. loses point(singular) on poor story mode. lots of fun.

Pfillip T. gave it a9:
Impressive, beautiful, fun as all hell. Best anime-based game in a long time and one of the best handheld fighters.

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Bleach: The Blade of Fate

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

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