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Naruto Shippuden Ninja Council 4

(2009, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated E10+, Play it on: Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Gorgeous action game, but troublesome controls mar play.

In this game kids can:   battle others, become a hero, kill humans (without blood), kill non-humans (without blood), whack cartoon characters

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    The game has awful controls including strange button layouts as well as the way the game reacts when you are hit by enemies. Falling causes you to not be able to move which allows bad guys to hurt you, and dying means restarting at the beginning of a very large level. Frustration levels can build quite quickly, even for adult gamers.

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.

  • Messages:

    The game features a team-based dynamic, and the group of characters you select help others in need.

  • Role models:

    Characters all work together to fight for good. Teamwork is required to battle the bad guys who are making things difficult for regular people.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Weapons and magical attacks are used in battles, but characters disappear or burst into flashes of light or smoke when destroyed.

  • Sex:

    Female characters are portrayed wearing robes or skirts, but not excessively short or revealing

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Naruto is a brand based around a manga series and includes television shows, manga, and many toys and clothing lines. The game could be considered an extension of brand marketing.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Naruto Shippuden Ninja Council 4 was written by Jeff Paramchuk

Parents need to know that this tough to control anime title is more likely to frustrate than entertain their young gamer. While the game looks gorgeous, the controls and sloppy programming make this seem like more a cash-in opportunity to market the Naruto brand than a way to create interactive fun for Naruto fans. Parents should also know that multiplayer battles are in the game, providing they have multiple cartridges and Nintendo DS handhelds.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Do you think Naruto Shippuden Ninja Council 4 is essentially an advertisement for the brand? Why does this tend to happen with games for kids?
  • Is the cartoon violence in the game absolutely necessary? Could a game based on Naruto brand work under a different genre?
  • Why would you pick or not pick a female character as your team leader?
Did this review help you decide?
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More on Naruto Shippuden Ninja Council 4

What’s the Story?

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN NINJA COUNCIL 4 is an action adventure title with a lot of platform puzzles, not unlike classic games from the NES era, where you traverse a 2D playfield to accomplish a goal. Players take control of Naruto, who’s returned to his home village after four years away. You then team up with other characters and set out on an adventure to take out bad guys who’ve started to do some damage in your absence. You’ll use kicks, punches, small weapons and magic to accomplish your task. Close

Is It Any Good?

When a game looks as great as Naruto, it’s a shame that the gameplay doesn’t even contain one tenth the level of polish. The oddly mapped controls mixed with the choices made in game, such as losing a throwing weapon when you are hit or having enemies stand completely still until you attempt to attack, really detract from what potentially could’ve been an excellent title. Because the game is so unsatisfying to play, if you have a fan of this brand, try renting it before you buy it. If you're not a fan, than you might want to skip it. Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 6/2/2009, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Cartoon Violence)

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See all 6 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Naruto uzumaki
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    E-10+

    Its a great game!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    heavy678
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    Love it?

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind (1)
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Falcata
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Safety isn't an issue

    Free Stuff! Anything you want!. http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=1026337

    I bought it and get bored for awhile. Then picked it up again and it has never been this much fun.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  4. Parent Reviewer
    HelpMePlease
    I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    look

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    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    jc13carrizo
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    what do u expect!

    i agre wit scadet23. n.shippuden is for naruto fans that r mor mature. and alot of naruto games r lik this 1.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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