LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TOMY Corporation and D3Publisher of America, Inc., publishers of interactive entertainment software, today announced the upcoming release of Naruto: Ninja Destiny, the first-ever head-to-head 3D Naruto fighting game for the Nintendo DS handheld system. Based on VIZ Media's hit animated TV series Naruto, Naruto: Ninja Destiny will pit characters from the hit Naruto series against each other in high-energy combat. Players will use both screens for innovative, unique gameplay featuring trademark ninja moves and the cinematic special techniques of the Naruto world. Naruto: Ninja Destiny is scheduled to ship in February 2008.
Ninja Destiny takes the first stab at providing a quality 3D fighter for the DS, but is mechanical machismo enough to deliver a solid fighting experience?
Game Revolution reports:
''Naruto: Ninja Destiny, the latest offering in the endless Naruto game series seems like nothing more than an attempt to exploit people's love for the anime. All you otaku out there that must have every product related to your most beloved cartoons are nothing but prey to big companies who peddle their wares to you at whatever price they see fit, and this is no exception.
I grew up in an era where the only anime one could procure was of a certain quality. Before Pokemon opened up the eyes of corporations to fact that there is a shit-ton of cash waiting to be made off licensed products, the only Japanese animation most Americans were aware of was Akira or Robotech. And it was great. Over a decade later shows like Pokemon, Dragon Ball and Naruto have flooded the market with every product you can imagine in an attempt gain control over an army of otakus.''
PALGN writes: "There have been a mixed bag of Naruto titles over the last few years. While they have ranged from good to downright poor, one particular series that has always stood out was Naruto: Clash of Ninja, which is considered by most fans to be the best of the Naruto fighters. Naruto: Ninja Destiny attempts to take the Clash of Ninja formula and put it into a handheld game, but the end result is basic fighter with minimal replay value.
Ninja Destiny's story takes place during the final stages of the Chunin Exams, and has players take part in all the battles that occur in the TV series right up until the point where Tsunade accepts the title of Fifth Hokage. The game tells the story painfully through slabs of text, which not only contain occasional grammar errors, but also do a rough job of describing the actions and motives of characters. For example, Naruto seeks revenge against Neji for the way he taunted and ultimately defeated Hinata during the preliminary exams, but the game more or less skips this point and has the pair bait each other before their fight. It just doesn't capture the strong points of the show, and will leave fans with a bitter taste in their mouth."
