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Naruto: Rise of a Ninja

EMAIL PRINT xbox360

9.2 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 35 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 53 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Ubisoft

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Fighting

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: October 30, 2007

Summary

In a game exclusively developed from the ground up for the Xbox 360, and for the first time, gamers can experience Naruto starting from the series' beginning. Relive Naruto's transformation from noisy ninja-academy dropout to respected ninja. Immerse Yourself In Naruto's Universe: Roam freely and discover authentic environments. Explore the genuine Konoha Village and its surroundings. Interact with Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi and members from the Naruto cast. The first Naruto game to combine action-adventure gameplay, classic platforming battles, head-to-head fighting, and in-depth character development. Build Your Fighting Techniques to Defeat Deadly Enemies in Fast-Paced Combat: Define your own way of the ninja as you learn to better control your chakra, improve your techniques, master new taijutsus and ninjutus, and command more powerful ninja weapons. Select your favorite Naruto character and challenge a friend. Customize your character and pick your own battlefield. [Ubisoft]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

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...

Cheat Code Central

The beautifully rendered graphics are amazing and keep you in awe. The voiceovers match their counterparts and make you feel like your watching the TV series. The controls are tight and responses, except for the occasional platforming sections where things can get unnecessarily difficult due to some jumping issues.

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GameSpy

Not only do you get a fairly rich role-playing experience, but you also get the jumping and exploring bonus of "Crackdown" and a thoroughly awesome fighting game as well.

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ZTGameDomain

Fighting in Naruto: RoaN is such an important part of the game play that it has been given its own online modes.

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GameZone

Forget the other Naruto games; Naruto: Rise of a Ninja is the best one of the bunch … believe it.

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MS Xbox World

I've thoroughly enjoyed playing Naruto: Rise of a Ninja. I find the character to be an excellent balance of oddball wacko, to someone you feel and care for.

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IGN

Surprisingly enjoyable. Once you get past the first hour, the single-player campaign becomes a real treat. And the combat system, while not deep, is a lot of fun.

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Console Monster

It is remarkable how much hard work has been put into a game that will generally only appeal to fans of the original subject matter.

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GameTrailers

Naruto: Rise of the Ninja is not one of the best ninja games to hit the market, but it is one of the best anime-based games ever released.

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Planet Xbox 360

In the end, it hints strongly at a sequel, leaving you salivating for more. That is all you can really ask of a game.

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Xbox World Australia

Naruto: Rise of Ninja is not the kind of title many gamers would pick up from the shelf and give it a look, because let's face it – those anime titles tend to be a bit rubbish unless you love the show. Thing is, this is a game that stands on its own as a worthy action-adventure or fighting game.

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TeamXbox

A little rough in terms of transition from scene to scene, but otherwise solid. Both platforming and fighting systems are easy to learn, but tough to master.

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360 Gamer Magazine UK

A compelling introduction to next generation consoles, and a break from the normal formulaic anime genre, if you don’t like the game, you’re asking too much of it. Great action and good fun throughout with a multitude of missions and mini-games, Rise of a Ninja is a delight for both anime fans and casual gamers new to Naruto's great adventures.

Total Video Games

We loved it from start to finish and, when we finished, we just carried on fighting online and against our mates to keep the fun alive. Naruto: Rise of a Ninja is the incredibly well balanced and varied game that the Naruto universe has been crying out for.

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Game Informer

The game looks phenomenal. Vivid colors blanket the backgrounds and characters alike, and the detail work, from waving grass to rippling waterfalls, is remarkable. While the plot and humor at play here rarely reaches for anything beyond immature power fantasy, the gameplay package is far more than you (or I) would have expected.

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Official Xbox Magazine

Ultimately, it's one of the best, deepest, and most eye-candy-packed animation crossovers to land in the 360's lap. [Dec 2007, p.81]

GameDaily

While it's rough around certain edges, this ninja's Rise stays on the up-and-up.

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Play Magazine

Rise of a Ninja defies categorization with its open-world structure, RPG pacing, and eccentric mix of min-games and one-on-one combat. [Dec 2007, p.74]

Destructoid

The story mode is worth the price of entry alone, and the fun fighting and excellent online matches are both wonderful bonuses.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

If anything, this is a great sign of things to come for Naruto games.

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GamePro

Although the game is short, it manages to stay fresh thanks to the way new areas and moves are doled out.

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Totally360

The look and feel of Naruto is spot on and coupled with gaming moments such as being able to leap from branch to branch with timed button presses and looking sexy as hell in the process, then moments like in the heat of battle pulling off an amazing jutsu, make this game what it is.

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PALGN

Naruto: Rise of Ninja is easily one of the better games to have been inspired by an anime series, that both fans and non-fans can enjoy together.

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Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

A pleasant surprise and a pretty good introduction to the show. [Christmas 2007, p.80]

GameSpot

Despite certain underdeveloped elements, this is the most ambitious and accessible Naruto game yet.

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Worth Playing

The no-frills adventure portion of the title offers a twist on the exciting fighting formula, although the unpolished reliance on platforming might turn off players who are looking simply to crack some skulls as the orange-clad Hokage hopeful.

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Game Positive

Rise of a Ninja is decent for what it is, in that it's a solid first attempt at the Naruto franchise on a modern console.

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Eurogamer

The phrase "one for the fans" has never been applied more honestly than in this case; it may be flawed, but we're happy to recommend Rise of a Ninja to Naruto fans - albeit with a few reservations. Believe it.

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NZGamer

There is an innocence to it all that is hard to describe, as if the game comes from a time more pure and simple.

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Thunderbolt

Naruto: Rise of a Ninja is good enough that non-fans of the show would do themselves good by playing it.

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X360 Magazine UK

Enjoyable enough, but it will take the forgiving nature and steadfast devotion of a fan to really get the most out of it. [Issue 26, p.96]

Official Xbox Magazine UK

As a roaming RPG it's fun, quirky and worth picking up; as a promo for the wider world of Naruto, it's excellent. [Dec 2007, p.94]

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Visually, Rise of a Ninja is one of the system's best-looking games. But from a game-design standpoint, it's less successful. [Holiday 2007, p.80]

Games Master UK

Has all the ingredients to be good, they're just used in incorrect amounts. Shame. [Dec 2007, p.78]

1UP

Rise of a Ninja, if nothing else, is undoubtedly a good foundation for something better the next time around. The graphics are fantastic, and running and jumping around the Naruto world is as convincing as it is compelling. If only the activities of this world were made of sterner stuff than rote replication of the source material's events or mind-numbing coin-collecting chores.

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GameTap

Even with all these hiccups, there’s still a solid combination of adventuring and fighting to be found here. And the sense of progression--going from a lowly no-skilled friendless ninja to a super awesome friendless ninja--is handled well in terms of what powers you get and when you get them.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 53 User Votes

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

TJ F. gave it a10:
Awesome game great graphics great story and awesome free roam around the village hidden in the leaves.

CMode gave it a9:
Granted the game is not perfect, but it flows well and there is tons of extras to keep players busy for weeks. It would have been nice if Ubisoft would have included missions that used some of the other characters as well but the inclusion of the fighting mode both online and off is well balanced and plenty of fun. I just hope they plan on making a sequel!

Kevin R. gave it a7:
A solid platformer combined with a solid fighter results in nothing more than a solid game. Pathetic mini-games and an unbalanced fighting system hurt the gorgeous graphics as well.

John M. gave it a4:
This game is horrible. The only reason I even tried it out is because I am such a fan of the show. This game is nothing but a glorified fighting game that charades itsself as a real adventure game. Its simply a horrible title. The graphics are top notch but thats all they got right with it. This game blows. I would say rent it before buying it even if you are a fan of the show.

Emo D. gave it a10:
All i can say about this game is wow! Ubisoft have really made a great game that Naruto fans can be proud of, even somebody who doesnt watch naruto would love this game. The graphics are excellent, the fighting is fun and the mini-games are good too. The best thing about the game is that you actually feel like your character gets stronger as you get further.

Mart gave it a10:
Very nice and fun game. Easy to pick up and enjoy. Online mode quite entertaining as well. And also the best toon shader I've ever seen Worth it.

Max M. gave it a7:
The gameplay is fun and there are many characters to play with. A very nice alternative to the Dragon Ball Z games.

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Naruto: Rise of a Ninja

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

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