Ranking Every Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Game

CyberConnect2 has been releasing entries into the Naruto Ultimate Ninja series since October 23, 2003, the debut of Naruto Ultimate Ninja on the PlayStation 2. However, CyberConnect2’s retelling of the Naruto story didn’t come to fruition until the release of Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm. As with most long-running gaming franchises, the Storm series has had a few hiccups when it comes to garnering fan’s favor. However, there are more of them that people adore.

Here are all the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm games ranked.

7. Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections

As the latest, and possibly last, entry in the Storm series, Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections is the worst in the franchise. At launch, glitches and missing features such as spectator mode for online matches plagued the game. The original story crafted for this game left a lot to be desired, but this special story wasn’t the only disappointing narrative. Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections was supposed to serve as a celebration of past entries in the series. The goal was to relive the battles and history all in one package. However, some of those high octane battles didn’t make the cut. This solidifies Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections as the worst Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm game.

6. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm

Serving as the first entry in the series, Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm retells the story of Naruto part 1. CyberConnect2 doesn’t retell every part of the story, however, with integral story arcs missing like the Land of Waves arc. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm introduces gamers to a world in which anime-based video games can have beautiful graphics and breathtaking animations. The reasoning behind ranking this title relatively low on the list is due to the combat. The combat in Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm is the least refined of all the entries. The action is stiff and strict, but the super techniques are where CyberConnect2 makes this game shine.

5. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution is similar to Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections in that CyberConnect2 created a new story exclusively for the game. Masashi Kishimoto, the author of Naruto, designed a character known as Mecha Naruto that has been in every Storm since. This entry is at five for its drastic change in gameplay compared to past entries. CyberConnect2 split core gameplay mechanics into three different playstyles:

• Attack Type gives players access to Ultimate Attacks, but removed Awakenings and Support Attacks
• Awakening Type lets players use an Awakening skill, but couldn’t use Ultimate Jutsus and Support Attacks
• Support Type allows player to follow up certain attacks in tandem with the point character at the cost of Awakening and Ultimate Attacks

Fans did not take too kindly to this change. CyberConnect2 removed depth from gameplay interactions by attempting this drastic change.

4. Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 3

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 is the fourth release in the Naruto Storm franchise. The story depicts the beginning of the Fourth Great Ninja War arc to Naruto’s battle against the Tailed Beast. Naruto had not finished yet while CyberConnect2 were developing the game. This led CyberConnect2 to take liberties as to how the story concluded.

3. Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations is the first spin-off in the Storm series. This entry in the franchise was the first time CyberConnect2 altered the gameplay dramatically. The development studio includes a Substitution Bar that allows players to easily escape disadvantageous situations. This a huge quality change over previous entries as Substitutions were unnecessarily difficult. 

CyberConnect2 also attempted to bring Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 together in one game akin to Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections. Instead of animated cutscenes, screenshots from the anime played with voice acting. Unlike Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections, CyberConnect2 made enough changes in Generations to not generate too much ire from fans.

2. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2

As number two on this list, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 is the pinnacle of the series when it comes to story adaptation. CyberConnect2 adapts the Naruto story from Naruto’s return to the Hidden Leaf Village to Pain’s attack. Each boss battle keeps the emotion that Masashi Kishimoto drew as well what Studio Pierrot had animated at the time. CyberConnect2 introduces other villages to explore in their story mode compared to only roaming Konoha in Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm. Though the areas you explore are narrow and less expansive, CyberConnect2 remedies this with more content.

1. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is undoubtedly the best in the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series. From the combat to story elements, CyberConnect2 put all of their effort into making this game the best it can be. CyberConnect2 adds the ability to swap between each character on your team for the first. Players are now afflicted with status effects depending on the stage you pick or the Jutsu used. For example, if Sasuke does Chidori while standing on water, the damage increases a small percentage. 

In addition to combat changes, CyberConnect2 gives Storm 4 the best boss fights in the entire franchise. Though the combat changes elevate this title to the highest rank, Storm 4 does have some drawbacks. Unlike Naruto Storm 2, Storm 4 doesn’t let players free roam during story mode. Instead, CyberConnect2 opts to a timeline style of storytelling. Choose between Naruto and Sasuke as you play both sides until you reach the final boss battle.

Despite this issue, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 feels like it is supposed to be the last entry into a legendary franchise. While each entry in the series (slightly) offers something different, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 stands above the rest as the best in the franchise.