The Naruto Series has been far from shy concerning Video Game adaptions. Though it seems that most were largely based around the original franchise. Well most Naruto fans have move far passed the original story arc and have branched into the Shippuden Series where Naruto and Crew have grown in age. I myself have been patiently awaiting more Shippuden Games especially after the DS Naruto Fighter. TOMY luckily was thinking the same thing with recent launch of the Naruto Shippuden Clash of the Ninja Revolution III . With the review copy in hand figured it was time to test my ninja skills.  How does this game hold up compared to the already establish TOMY Franchise of Naruto Fighting Games??

Gameplay

If you have ever played any of the TOMY Naruto Fighting Games you know roughly what to expect. Those that haven’t the game is a simple game to pickup but difficult to master. The buttons are broken up into Weak Attack, Strong Attack, Jutsu (Super) and Side Step/Substitution Jutsu. Much like most fighters you have a super bar, as it fills up you can do specialized moves. That’s where the Side Step/Substitution Jutsu comes into play. If timed correctly you can side step you opponent and start whooping up. In order to use the Substitution Jutsu you get attacked then hit Side Step/Substituion Jutsu, your character will then teleport behind your opponent giving you the advantage. This costs 75% of your Super Bar also keep in mind that your opponent can do the same thing after you. This quickly becomes a very strategic game with juggling Substitutions while managing you super bar. The Game features 35+ Characters from the Naruto Series which can be purchased at the In Game Store. (Kinda like Marvel vs Capcom 2) You earn money by completing Story Missions or Fights from any of the different Gameplay Modes.That being said you do get a added perk of having played other TOMY Naruto Fighters. When I switched on the game I instantly was given 100,000 to play with :) The downside to this game is I felt the difficulty in Story Mode was a little unbalanced. Some fights would be pretty simple while others seemed unforgiving. Though it seems the game largely made up for this with it’s Multiplayer options including a Online Component. A first for the TOMY Naruto Series but largely needed.

Graphics/Visuals

Considering that this game is on the Wii this game looks fantastic. I’ve played various iterations of the TOMY Naruto Fighters and none have looked this good. Each Character model looks great and all move quickly. That being said there is little to no load times. The backgrounds were also really flushed out and everything looked great. In one of the waterfall levels I was really blown away by just how nice the level looked.

Sound

This was a mixed bag for myself. While the Soundtrack really fit the series and brought forth the environment the game features a English only Dub. Now that’s not to be said that the Voice Acting was bad. Far from it. The game features in game cut scenes with full voice acting. Most were pretty good and I was actually surprised how good Grandma Chiyo sounded. That being said my personal preference is to have both Japanese and English Dubs in anime games.

Overall

A pretty decent addition to the already established Franchise. Though it seems this game is more geared to seasoned fans of the Naruto Series. If your looking for an interesting fighter and you like Naruto this game is certainly up your alley.

Click here to view the embedded video.

After watching the above video of these people showing off his skills on the New Super Mario Bros Wii, make sure to pick up your jaw as you might drag it on the floor.

You heard the stories of people tossing the Wii remotes at TV’s.  This just in you can toss your Wii remote in the shower!

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It’s coming back.  The old school ways of NES motorcycle racing.  This game will solidify the fact that gameplay will always be better than graphics.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Oh, Home Shopping Network.  Every time you fail, there is someone with a DVR and an internet connection to amplify that fail.  In the video above, two sales people are trying to get you to buy a Nintendo Wii with all these included accessories that you don’t need. Why is it unnecessary? Go 4 minutes and 50 seconds into the video to find out.

It’s a new week with another Release List. This week seems to be slim pickings compared to previous lists. Though there are a few diamonds. Year One is finally out on both DVD and Blu Ray looking forward to watching David Cross (Tobias Funke). Also from Natsume comes the PS3 title Afrika seems like a more adult Pokemon: Snap. Like before you see something missing drop a comment.

DVD
Oct 6th
Ally McBeal: The Complete Series
Blood Ties: Season Two
Bones: The Complete Fourth Season
Ken Burns: National Parks – America’s Best Idea
Medium: The Complete Fifth Season
My Life in Ruins
Nip/Tuck – Season 5, Part 2
Red Dwarf: Back to Earth
The Mary Tyler Moore Show – The Complete Fifth Season
Trick ‘r Treat
Year One

Blu Ray
Oct 6th
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Contact
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
The National Parks: America’s Best Idea
Trick ‘r Treat
Year One

Video Games
A Boy and His Blob – Wii
A Witch’s Tale – DS
Afrika – PS3
Demon’s Souls – PS3
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 – Wii
NBA 2K10 – PS2, PS3, Xbox 360
NBA Live 10 – PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360
Naruto Shippuden Legends: Akatsuki – PSP
Obscure: The Aftermath – PSP
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising – PC, Xbox 360
SAW – PS3
Star Wars:Clone Wars Republic Heroes – DS, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii

Theater
Oct 9th
Couples Retreat

Wow this weeks release list is huge. With Blu Rays topping the charts for releases followed closely with Video Games. With Naruto Shippuden Ninja Destiny 2 (click for review) and Scribblenauts dropping on the DS. Followed in high speed with the release Need for Speed Shift. If that doesn’t make you happy there is always the first season of Bonanza!!! Overall a pretty solid list for this week, like before if I missed something drop a comment or two??

DVD
Sept 15th
American Werewolf in London Special Edition
Bonanza: The Official First Season, Vol 1 & 2
CSI Miami: The Complete Seventh Season
Doctor Who: The Next Doctor (2008 Christmas Special)
Dragon Ball: Season One
Grey’s Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season
Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia: Season 4
My Name Is Earl: Season Four
Primeval, Vol. 2 (Series 3)
The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season
Transformers: Season Two, Volume 1 (25th Anniversary Edition)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
X-Men, Volume Three (Marvel Collection)
X-Men, Volume Four (Marvel Collection)

Blu Rays
Sept 15th
Amadeus
An American Werewolf In London
Army Of Darkness
Camille
Casablanca
Child’s Play
Crash: The Complete First Season
Deep Impact
Easy Virtue
Grace
Hero
Iron Monkey
Misery
My Name Is Earl: Season Four
The Hannibal Lecter Collection
The Legend Of Drunken Master
The Wonder Of It All
Van Helsing
Varsity Blues
Wrong Turn
Wrong Turn 2: Dead End
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Zatoichi

Video Games
Age of Empires III: Complete Collection – PC
Batman: Arkham Asylum – PC
Bleach: The 3rd Phantom – DS
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs DS, PSP, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii
Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim – PC
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 PS2,PS3,Xbox 360, Wii
Naruto Shippuden Ninja Destiny 2 – DS Click for Review
Need for Speed: Shift PC, PS3, Xbox 360
NHL 10 – PS3, Xbox 360
NHL 2K10 – PS3, Xbox 360, Wii
Pinball Hall of Fame: Williams Collection – PS3, Xbox 360
Red Faction: Guerrilla – PC
Scribblenauts – DS
Toy Story Mania – Wii

Theater
Sept 18th
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Jennifer’s Body
Love Happens
The Informant!

As the week zips past us we must stop and think “Do I chance seeing the GI Joe Movie?” That’s a big question that I’ve been pondering for a couple of weeks now. After the monstrosity of Bayformers 2 I’m a little scared to go see anymore of my childhood go down the drain. Anywho pleanty of other release this week including Flight of the Conchords on DVD. Same drill as before see something I missed drop a comment.

DVD
August 4th
Delgo
Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Second Season
Obsessed
Race to Witch Mountain
The Love Boat: Season Two, Vol. 2
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh
The Soloist
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!: Season Three

Blu Ray
August 4th
Big Trouble in Little China
Mutant Chronicles
My Cousin Vinny
Race to Witch Mountain
Sling Blade
Stargate Atlantis: Fans’ Choice
The Beast (Special Extended Edition)
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh
The Soloist
The Waterboy

Anime DVD
August 4th
Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium OVA Collection
Irresponsible Captain Tylor Ova Series Remastered DVD Collection
Lucky Star OVA
Moribito Vol 5: Guardian of The Spirit
Slayers: Seasons 1-3 Box Set

Video Games
Hearts of Iron 3 PC
G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra DS,PSP,PS2, PS3, XBOX 360
SingStar Queen PS2 PS3
Sony PSP Hannah Montana Lilac Bundle
Ultimate Duck Hunting Wii

Theaters
August 7th
GI Joe The Rise of Cobra
Julie & Julia
A Perfect Getaway

Back at Comic-Con, Viz Media and Naruto were holding an open tournament using this game. None of the players have played it before since it hasn’t come out yet.  Winner received a brand new Wii system.  I stayed for the whole competition and enjoyed almost every battle.  There were somethings that have yet to be polished though.  Mainly the in-game sounds .

Now, at the tournament, no one used the Wiimote and Nunchuck combo.  All players opted for the classic Wii controller.  I’m not sure why fighting game developers would want to program for the Wiimote and Nunchuck combo.  It doesn’t add much to the game and just seems like a waste of effort, in my opinion.  If it’s for the sense that you are actually doing that super move, then I know of only young kids would try and do it.  But yet, I bet they would get confused anyways.

NARUTO Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 comes out for the Nintendo Wii system November 16, 2009 for $39.99.

The Week has landed and Monday has ended. What does that mean? Well that means it’s Tuesday and with Tuesday there is always pleanty to look forward to. Video Releases for some others it’s the Joy to know that the ITunes store has been updated. Sometimes Tuesday is even a Video Game release day of course depending if the local Gamery received said pacakge. Oh and let us not forget that Fridays mark the adventagous releases of new Films in the Theater. Here is a small list that highlights some of the things coming out this week. If you see anything missing leave a comment.

Video Games
Ghosbusters PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PSP
Sam N Max XBLA
Magic the Gathering XBLA

Guitar Hero Smash Hits PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii

Movies

DVD
June 16th
Family Guy Vol 7

Blu Ray
June 16th
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Ghostbusters
Lost Seasons 1
Lost Seasons 2
Spaceballs

Theater
Year One – June 19th

Other
Iphone 3.0 Software – June 16th
Iphone 3GS – June 19th