Although it may seem like there has been an abundance of Ultimate Ninja Storm games, it has actually been seven years since the last proper installment. During that time, Boruto has taken the reigns from his father as the protagonist of the anime and manga, carrying on the legacy. While audiences have gradually warmed up to Boruto as the anime has progressed, the goal of Naruto X Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections is to introduce a new generation of fans to the series. This game continues the 3D arena fighting series right where it left off.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Naruto anime, this new entry serves as a “greatest hits” compilation of the Ultimate Ninja Storm games. It features a vast roster of over 130 characters from throughout Naruto’s history, along with two story modes that blend elements from both the old and new parts of the franchise. When I had the opportunity to play this latest installment at Summer Game Fest, it felt familiar yet it also exuded the same fast-paced and flashy energy that I would expect from a pick-up-and-play arena-style fighter–a perfect fit for the new era.
Mechanically, Naruto X Boruto plays similarly to its predecessors, with players engaging in 3D arena battles using basic attacks, combos, substitute dodges, and a variety of powerful Jutsus. It also introduces tag-fighting, allowing each player to have a team of three characters that can be swapped during the fight. While this system allows for the mixing and matching of favorite characters for different team compositions, the real excitement lies in setting up Combination Ultimate Jutsus. With the inclusion of characters from Boruto, a whole new range of combinations can be executed. For example, I had Boruto and Kawaki unleash a devastating attack together, with Kawaki enhancing Boruto’s Rasengan, resulting in massive damage.
With a full Chakra meter and critically low health, players can once again enter Awakening mode, which serves as both a comeback mechanic and a visually impressive spectacle. Naruto’s new Nine-tailed Fox transformation, in particular, is a visually stunning sight. Performing solo Ultimate Jutsus has always been a staple of the series, and it’s thrilling to do so with new characters. The inclusion of the new villain Jigen adds an over-the-top flair, as he uses the Otsotsuki power to summon a Disruption Cube and crush his opponents.
Beyond the bombastic and anime-inspired battles, Naruto X Boruto features a simplified control scheme that allows newcomers to jump in and perform impressive moves without needing advanced technical skills. During my demo, I primarily used the simplified controls to get a feel for the gameplay, and it became evident how this makes the game more accessible, especially for those who may not be familiar with fighting or action games. While the series was never known for its complexity, it makes sense to have an option like this to reach a wider audience, which was one of the main goals of the development team according to producer Masaya Yoshizawa.
In addition to new characters and gameplay tweaks, Boruto X Naruto offers two story modes. The first is History Mode, which is targeted towards longtime fans and showcases the key moments from the original Naruto series. This mode provides a nostalgic experience for players who have already encountered these fights in previous games, while also offering a glimpse into the series’ past for those who are approaching the game solely as Boruto fans. On the other hand, Special Story Mode focuses on the crucial battles seen in the Boruto anime and highlights the events that have unfolded so far. As someone who has been on the sidelines for this new generation of the franchise, it acts as an enticing entry point.
I also had the opportunity to discuss with Yoshizawa the perception of the Boruto series, its steady rise, and its position in the shadow of Naruto. He explained that one of the goals of the Special Story Mode is to make players “aware of Boruto and then maybe get interested in watching the anime or reading the manga.” Yoshizawa also acknowledged that “the team believes that [Boruto’s story] is gradually becoming popular. Of course, it may not reach the same level as Naruto, but we believe it has gained enough popularity, which is why we have Special Story Mode in addition to History Mode.”
Regardless of how one feels about the 3D arena fighter subgenre, it has proven to be a successful platform for adapting popular shonen anime series, although with varying degrees of quality. My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, Kill la Kill, and Jump Force’s lineup of Shonen Jump characters have all adopted a similar foundation set by the Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi games and further developed by the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm series. While they may not introduce groundbreaking innovations or contribute significantly to the canon of the respective anime, they have provided enjoyable action-packed experiences that stay true to the source material.
Based on my firsthand experience, this seems to hold true for Boruto X Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections, which is set to release later this year for PlayStation platforms, Xbox consoles, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
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Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
