6 Best Handheld Naruto Games, Ranked

Summary

Naruto spinoff Boruto continues the ninja action. Video game tie-ins cater to fans of all versions of the series.
Path of the Ninja offers a classic RPG experience, while Ultimate Ninja Impact delivers Musou-style gameplay.
Naruto vs. Sasuke is a standout platformer, Ultimate Ninja Heroes a 2D fighting game gem. The Storm Trilogy is a must-have.

Naruto is one of the rare manga series that has ended, technically. It began as a manga in 1999 and was adapted into an anime in 2002 which ended in 2017. Now fans get to follow the exploits of the titular hero’s son, Boruto, in the spinoff series. No matter what version fans like the most, there will always be video game tie-ins.

Naruto-20-Best-Games-Every-Ninja-Fan-Should-Try

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The big boom happened around the GBA and DS era. Many of these games have been localized while others are a bit more obscure because they are still hidden in Japan. Let’s see what Naruto and his friends have been up to on the portable side of things and how they all rank together.

6 Naruto: Path Of The Ninja

A Classic Ninja RPG

Naruto: Path Of The Ninja

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Released: July 22, 2004
Platform(s): Nintendo DS, Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Developer: Tose, Tomy

Metacritic Score: 57

There have been a lot of Naruto games with RPG elements but very few of them have been straight-up RPGs. Naruto: Path of the Ninja was released on the DS and GBA but the GBA version never left Japan. There was a second game, Naruto RPG 2: Chidori vs. Rasengan, but that was never released in the West either. The third and final game, Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2, was.

That history is almost as confusing as Final Fantasy’s like how the fourth game became the second in North America and the third was presented as the sixth. RPG history aside, Naruto: Path of the Ninja is a good turn-based RPG that begins with Naruto and his classmates starting their training. It may not have reinvented the wheel, leading to some poor reviews, but it is better than the aggregates especially for fans. It’s a good game to nab for those unfamiliar with the narrative of the anime or manga and for those new to RPGs.

5 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact

An Unofficial Musou Game

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact

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Released: October 18, 2011
ESRB: rp
Developer(s): CyberConnect2
Publisher(s): BNE Entertainment
Engine: Unreal Engine 4
Franchise: Naruto
Platform(s): PSP
Genre(s): Fighting
How Long To Beat: 24 hours

Metacritic Score: 59

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact is a Musou game except that Omega Force did not work on it. There are other Musou-like games not associated with them like Tales of the Heroes: Twin Brave. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact operates like a typical Musou game with a large cast of characters to choose from, celebrating the best of the Naruto franchise.

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By Rei Penber

Players jump into a map, follow a few objectives, and level up as they defeat hundreds of enemies. Well, more like dozens because the PSP can’t render that many models at once. Still, as a clone, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact feels like it belongs in the collection of official anime Musou games including Dynasty Warriors: Gundam and One Piece: Pirate Warriors.

4 Naruto Shippuden: Naruto vs. Sasuke

A Platformer Backed By A Big Cast

A scene featuring characters in Naruto Shippuden Naruto vs Sasuke

Platform: DS
Released: November 6, 2010 (NA)
Developer: Tomy
Metacritic Score: 64

Naruto Shippuden: Naruto vs. Sasuke is one of many Naruto-based action platformers on portables. This is among the best, taking place right at the start of the Naruto Shippuden arc which is when the time skip happens in the original series. Naruto, Sakura, and Sai are tasked with tracking down Sasuke.

There are standard moves like running, jumping, and attacking with basic pummels, but there are also gadgets and ninjutsu moves too. The multiple playable characters keep things feeling fresh along with the level variety. It’s no Mario adventure, but it is a good Naruto platformer adaptation on the DS that looks as good as it plays.

3 Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes

A 2D Fighting Game For Chunin

Playing a match in Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes

Platform: PSP
Released: August 28, 2007 (NA)
Developer: CyberConnect2
Metacritic Score: 70

CyberConnect2's Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm games are great for fans of 3D fighting games. However, 2D fighting game fans can appreciate Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes, which has two sequels on the PSP too and CyberConnect2 is also involved. This first iteration is the best of the bunch even though the roster is smaller.

It still manages to cram quite a few characters in, mostly all of the young ninjas from the Hidden Leaf Village. The best thing about this fighter is the verticality, as some stages can give players vertigo. It adds depth to a 2D game, asking fighting game fans to think differently about how they approach matches.

2 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy

Three Great Fighting Games In One Collection

Sasuke vs Naruto in Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm

Platforms: Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Released: April 26, 2018 (Switch Version, NA)
Developer: CyberConnect2
Metacritic Score: 70 (Switch)

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy is the ultimate fan experience. It’s in the title. The Ultimate Ninja Storm games began in 2008 during the first HD generation and now this collection contains most of them. More were to follow along with spinoffs which are also on the Switch but this collection cannot be beat.

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CyberConnect2, the developer, figured out how to tie the story into a fighting game by making it more cinematic. The cel-shaded visuals also helped convey the dedication they had to make these games as close to the anime as possible. Among anime-based fighting games, any one of these three could rank among the top ten.

1 Naruto Powerful Shippuden

A Bite-Sized Rivalry Between Naruto And Rock Lee

Promo art featuring characters in Naruto Powerful Shippuden

Platform: 3DS
Released: March 5, 2013 (NA)
Developer: Inti Creates
Metacritic Score: 71

Naruto Powerful Shippuden is a cute game as it stylizes everything in the chibi anime style. Players can take on missions such as Naruto or Rock Lee, who are competing to see who is the strongest. It is technically a 2D action platformer although stages are quite small and missions have a lot of variants.

Sometimes players won’t leave the screen they begin on or fight any enemies. From dodging tests to ranged tests using Shuriken, there’s a lot of variety. It’s the perfect type of game for a handheld like the 3DS that does not try to cram a console-level adventure onto a downgraded platform. It’s also a great introduction to the series for kids, thanks to the low difficulty and fun art aesthetic.