Naruto Shippuden : Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations

🎮 Game Overview

• Title: Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations

• Platform: PlayStation 3 (also on Xbox 360)

• Release Date: March 2012

• Developer: CyberConnect2

• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment

• Genre: Fighting / Anime Action

• Mode: Single-player Story Mode, Online & Offline Versus

🍃 Introduction

Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations is the third entry in CyberConnect2’s Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm series.

It’s designed as both a celebration of the franchise and a refinement of the gameplay, merging characters, stories, and techniques from both Naruto (the original series) and Naruto Shippuden.

Unlike Storm 1 and Storm 2, which focused heavily on cinematic story campaigns, Generations emphasizes fast-paced battles, streamlined combat mechanics, and an enormous character roster covering multiple generations of ninjas — from the original Team 7 to their older, Shippuden counterparts.

📖 Story Mode

🌸 Narrative Structure

Generations reimagines the Naruto story by presenting it as a series of individual character arcs, rather than a single linear campaign.

Each character’s story mode consists of short battles and anime-style cutscenes that summarize their journey, motivations, and key moments.

The stories are presented with narration and exclusive 2D anime sequences, some created specifically for this game by Studio Pierrot (the studio behind the Naruto anime).

📜 Playable Story Arcs

There are over 10 distinct storylines, each following different heroes and villains across both eras:

Naruto Era (Classic)

• Naruto Uzumaki: His early adventures, rivalry with Sasuke, and growth as a ninja.

• Sasuke Uchiha: His descent into revenge and separation from the village.

• Kakashi Hatake: His past with Obito and Rin.

• Zabuza Momochi & Haku: Their tragic story from the Land of Waves arc.

Shippuden Era

• Naruto (Shippuden): His training under Jiraiya, battles against Akatsuki, and the mission to save Sasuke.

• Sasuke (Shippuden): His time with Orochimaru and the creation of Hebi (Taka).

• Gaara: His evolution from enemy to respected Kazekage.

• Minato Namikaze (Fourth Hokage): His fateful battle against the Nine-Tails.

• Itachi Uchiha: His double life as both a villain and tragic hero.

• Jiraiya: His journey of mentorship and ultimate sacrifice.

Each arc is relatively short — focusing on 3–5 major battles — but when combined, they offer a broad, emotional overview of the Naruto saga up to the early Shippuden arcs.

⚔️ Gameplay

🌀 Combat System

Generations builds on the Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 engine, introducing faster-paced battles, tighter mechanics, and streamlined systems for competitive play.

Key Features

• 3D Arenas: Players move freely across large, circular battlefields, dodging, attacking, and using jutsus in real time.

• Chakra System: Manage your chakra to perform dashes, substitutions, and powerful special attacks.

• Awakening Mode: Activate a temporary power-up when your health is low, granting stronger attacks and new abilities.

• Substitution System: Now uses a gauge-based mechanic — you can only substitute a limited number of times before needing to recharge, adding tactical depth.

• Support Characters: Choose two partners who can jump in to assist with attacks or defenses.

The flow of combat is smooth, fast, and cinematic, rewarding timing, spacing, and smart chakra management.

💥 Ultimate Jutsus & Combos

Each fighter has:

• Basic combo strings (using melee and chakra-based attacks).

• Ninjutsu techniques (like Rasengan, Chidori, or Fireball Jutsu).

• Ultimate Jutsu — a powerful, cinematic finisher unique to the character.

Example:

• Naruto’s Rasenshuriken creates a massive whirlwind explosion.

• Sasuke’s Kirin summons lightning from the heavens.

• Itachi’s Tsukuyomi traps the opponent in an illusionary nightmare.

Awakened states can drastically change fighting style — for instance, Naruto’s Nine-Tails Cloak or Sasuke’s Cursed Seal Transformation.

👥 Character Roster

One of the largest rosters in the Storm series up to that point, featuring over 70 playable characters and over 100 support-only characters.

This includes fighters from both the original Naruto series and Shippuden, as well as unique transformations and alternate versions.

🧑🎤 Examples of Playable Fighters

• Naruto Uzumaki (Young, Shippuden, Sage Mode)

• Sasuke Uchiha (Young, Hebi, Taka)

• Kakashi Hatake (Young, Anbu, Shippuden)

• Itachi Uchiha

• Pain (Six Paths of Pain)

• Minato Namikaze

• Gaara (Young & Kazekage)

• Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, Shikamaru Nara, Hinata Hyuga

• Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi

• Jiraiya, Tsunade

• Zabuza & Haku

• The Third Hokage

• Killer Bee

• Madara’s masked identity (Tobi)

The diversity of characters allows for creative matchups across timelines — such as Young Naruto vs. Sage Naruto, or Minato vs. Pain.

🌍 Visuals & Presentation

🎨 Graphics

• Uses CyberConnect2’s signature anime-shaded art style, making battles look like hand-drawn animation in motion.

• Smooth 60 FPS combat and vibrant, expressive effects for each jutsu.

• The cinematic Ultimate Jutsu sequences are among the most visually impressive in anime-based games.

🕹️ Stage Design

Arenas are inspired by iconic locations from the series, including:

• Hidden Leaf Village Training Grounds

• Chunin Exam Arena

• Valley of the End

• Hidden Sand Village

• Akatsuki Hideouts

• Forests, mountains, and ruins from the Naruto universe

Destructible elements and dynamic camera angles enhance the feeling of power during intense attacks.

🎵 Audio & Voice Acting

• Music: A mix of traditional Japanese instruments and high-energy rock/orchestral themes.

• Voice Acting: Fully voiced in English and Japanese, featuring the official anime cast (including Maile Flanagan as Naruto and Yuri Lowenthal as Sasuke).

• Sound Effects: Explosive and crisp — from chakra charges to kunai clashes, every sound adds weight to the action.

🌐 Multiplayer & Online Play

• Offline Versus: Local two-player mode with customizable settings.

• Online Battles:

  • Ranked and unranked matches.

  • Leaderboards and battle records.

  • Replay saves for sharing epic fights.

Generations was one of the first Storm games to truly focus on competitive online balance, refining systems to suit online dueling better than Storm 2.

🏆 Reception

Critical Praise:

• Fast, fluid, and visually gorgeous combat.

• Huge roster spanning multiple generations.

• Engaging anime-style story presentation.

• Improved online gameplay and balance.

Common Criticisms:

• Story mode is shorter and less cinematic than Storm 2.

• Some recycled assets from previous games.

• Limited adventure elements (no free-roaming villages like in earlier entries).

Despite this, Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations was praised as one of the best competitive Naruto fighting games, blending nostalgia, accessibility, and refined mechanics.

🔥 In Summary

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations for PlayStation 3 is a fast, stylish, and character-rich anime fighter that unites the Naruto generations in one explosive package.

It’s less about exploration and storytelling depth, and more about pure, high-energy ninja combat — with stunning visuals, tight controls, and an enormous cast of beloved heroes and villains.

Whether you’re a longtime Naruto fan or a competitive fighter enthusiast, Generations stands out as a love letter to the franchise’s history, capturing both its emotional legacy and over-the-top action.