Naruto: Ninja Council 3

Naruto: Ninja Council 3 is the third instalment in the Ninja Council series for the Nintendo DS. The game is based off the Naruto manga and anime series.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) Over 30 playable characters to choose from. This includes all of the Sound Four, all of the Konoha 12 and even Itachi and Kisame
 * 2) Extremely fun gameplay. The gameplay is similar to the Super Smash Bros series or the Jump Stars series.
 * 3) Very responsive and tight controls.
 * 4) Each special jutsu has a touch screen minigame. There are even some unique ones like Neji’s Baikugan, where it shows a diagram of a person and you have to poke the chakra points to activate the attack.
 * 5) While some of the levels make no sense, some of the levels follow the story. There are some fun levels like the ome where you, Sasuke and Sakura team up to defeat Kakashi.
 * 6) The story follows the Chunin Exam arc up to the Search for Tsunade arc. The Japanese version also includes the Sasuke Retrieval arc.
 * 7) Some marked copies of the game contain a special edition Naruto card inside.
 * 8) Over 60 levels to choose from.
 * 9) The progression is very unique. You start with the D-rank missions and then after you complete them, you unlock the C-rank missions and so on. The D-rank missions are easy and they get harder with each rank.
 * 10) You can even unlock a gallery where you can watch the special jutsu in action.
 * 11) The special jutsu are really cool.
 * 12) Awesome soundtrack. One of the best songs in the game is the title screen theme.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) The American version cut out some characters and levels like Kimimaru, the Sound Four’s Stage 2 forms, UNT Naruto and stage 2 Sasuke. The European version cuts out even more characters and even some levels and attacks. These were done to prevent spoilers.
 * 2) The CPU AI can be dumb at times.
 * 3) Some levels are infuriating.
 * 4) The game is short. After you beat Uchiha Itachi, the game is over.
 * 5) The Sound Four in the American version has no unique special jutsu.

Reception
The game recieved extremely positive reviews from critics and Naruto fans.