While Naruto Saikyou Ninja Daikesshuu 4 (soon to be released here as Naruto: Ninja Council 3) implemented a new mission-style gameplay following Jump Superstars, Naruto Shippuuden Saikyou Ninja Daikesshuu 5 reverts to the side scrolling gameplay left off by the third game. Since the game starts from the story’s Shippuuden arc, it will feature new characters, i.e, the grown up Naruto/Sakura, Kankuro with his new puppets, and the Akatsuki members such as Sasori and Deidara. The main action happens on the top screen while you can tap the bottom screen with the stylus for summoning jutsus or tagging in back up. There is also Wi-Fi play, which makes four way fights between remote players possible.
The game is scheduled for a July release in Japan according to this week’s Shounen Jump. For those who haven’t played the first two Naruto Ninja Council GBA games, this might be a good place to start some fun side scrolling action. Since Ninja Council 3 (actually the fourth game) was just announced, a US release should not be far behind, once the anime catches up to Naruto Shippuuden.
