Apparently, we can't get enough of Naruto and his cohorts; therefore, Namco Bandai America is making us aware that NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress (that's one name, for the record) is currently shipping, probably in big Japanese boats, to stores across North America. I know we are supposed to be exited but I feel like I've already played it. No more manga for me!


If you get the same feeling, then we should clarify the story a little bit. In NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2, a strange castle makes its way into the clouds and starts to threaten the peaceful village Hidden Leaf (which is probably filled to the brim with martial arts experts). Apparently, an evil lady is trying to accomplish some evil deeds but she is confronted by Naruto. Her weapon of choice: disturbing visions from the past are haunting the young ninja. He must defeat her - he isn't alone; Shikamaru, Sakura and the rest of the happy gang are there to help him restore peace.

Just like we were used to in previous games, the gameplay is all about one-on-one fighting which is complemented with an interactive story and, to take things to another level, the player can now create his own party to use in over 100 levels of the castle. The fighting engine is there in one piece and I'm positive we will enjoy one more time the new jutsu and ninja acrobatic style, in combinations never seen before. To provide a complete original experience, players can even choose to go through the entire game with the original Japanese voices.

It would not be a complete game without the multiplayer mode, so NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2 permits players to test their abilities by sparing with their friends in wireless battles. Each battles can be set to fit the players style and each gamer can customize the party he is about to use. The best part is that you only need one copy of the game. What more could you possibly want from a fighting title?