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Naruto Shippuden Ninja Council 4 (Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi)

common sense media says

Gorgeous action game, but troublesome controls mar play.

parents & educators say
See all 6 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

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.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: The game features a team-based dynamic, and the group of characters you select help others in need.
Positive 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.
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.
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 applicable.
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 applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Naruto Shippuden Ninja Council 4

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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?

What's the story?

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.

Is it any good?

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.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
Not available online
Genre: Action/Adventure
Released on: June 2, 2009
Price: 29.99
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Cartoon Violence
Screenshots
This review was written by Jeff Paramchuk
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

HelpMePlease
parent of 18 year old
6
 
look
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (3)
Naruto uzumaki
parent of and 4 , 9 , 11 year old
10
 
E-10+
Its a great game!
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
Falcata
teen, 16 years old
13
 
Free Stuff! Anything you want!. *://*rewards1*/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.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
scadet23
teen, 18 years old
15
 
e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
Well kids under 13 are not really suppose to have because the controls are easier for adults and teens.
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
heavy678
teen, 17 years old
15
 
Love it?
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jc13carrizo
teen, 16 years old
14
 
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.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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