Rare Naruto Games That Did Not Release In North America

Key Takeaways

Many Naruto games never made it to North America due to niche markets and poor timing.
Games like Konoha Senki and Shinobi no Sato no Jintori Kassen lacked visual appeal.
Titles like Ninja Council 2 – European Version and Shinobi Retsuden 3 had unique gameplay ideas.

As a seasoned gamer who’s been following the Naruto series since its inception, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when reminiscing about these games that never made it to North American shores. Growing up with Naruto, these titles were like the cherry on top of an already delightful experience.

Naruto is among the shonen anime series that gained immense global fame, leading to a flood of merchandise, films, and video games. Given the numerous games produced, it wasn’t feasible for all of them to be successful in the American market. This likely explains why many games, particularly those released during Naruto’s early years, failed to reach U.S. shores.

Indeed, localization may be skipped for various reasons beyond the volume of items requiring translation. For instance, a game might cater solely to a specific audience, such as anime enthusiasts in the U.S., who already represent a niche market. This would likely result in lower sales. Generally, it’s also possible that a game simply releases at an inconvenient time. Here are some Naruto games that failed to reach North America.

8 Naruto: Konoha Senki

Platform(s): Game Boy Advance
Released: September 12, 2003
Developer: Tomy
Genre(s): Strategy, RPG

As a devoted admirer of handheld gaming, I must confess that the Game Boy Advance (GBA) is renowned for showcasing some truly stunning pixel art, setting it apart from its peers. However, Konoha Senki, despite being a strategy game for the GBA, didn’t quite scale the same visual heights as other strategic masterpieces on the system, such as Fire Emblem or Final Fantasy Tactics.

Instead, let me rephrase for you: On the contrary, though many characters become playable only after the end credits, this game offers an extensive roster of characters to choose from. Each character comes with a variety of signature jutsu moves that players can use strategically during battles. To be honest, if hardcore fans manage to secure a copy of this game, it’s more than worth playing for the unique combinations of attacks you can perform in combat.

7 Naruto: Konoha Ninpōchō

Platform(s): WonderSwan Color
Released: March 27, 2003
Developer(s): Bandai
Genre(s): RPG

During the last year of its operation, Konoha Ninpōchō stood out as significantly less visually impressive compared to other games on the Wonderswan Color system. This is particularly noticeable during battles, where the character depictions, appearing washed-out, static, and pixelated, engage in turn-based combat.

The game only touches on a minuscule aspect of the story, even when compared to other handheld Naruto games from that era. However, luckily, the gameplay remains engaging, providing ample opportunity for the three playable characters (Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura) to utilize a significant range of their signature moves.

6 Naruto: Shinobi no Sato no Jintori Kassen

Platform(s): Playstation
Released: June 26, 2003
Developer(s): Dimps, Denyusha Co., Ltd.
Genre(s): Virtual Board Game

As a gamer, let me tell you straight up, this game here’s a board game, not your typical Mario Party kind where the fun mini-games break the monotony. Instead, Shinobi no Sato no Jintori Kassen is all about quick, random combat encounters that are over in a blink of an eye. I guess that’s why it never made it big outside Japan.

As a devoted fan, I must say this game breathes life into the captivating ninja universe, boasting intricate sprites that flawlessly embody each character, even incorporating amusing idle animations to add charm. Furthermore, it’s far from being a leisurely board game – instead, it offers an exhilarating experience that is undeniably worth adding to anyone’s collection.

5 Naruto: Ninja Council 2 – European Version

Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: April 21, 2005
Developer(s): Tomy
Genre(s): Action

The European edition of “Naruto: Ninja Council 2” was the initial installment in the series to appear on Nintendo’s original handheld console with a touchscreen. Consequently, it introduced several elements that would be refined and improved upon in subsequent releases, such as executing jutsu through mini-games involving the touchscreen.

The reason behind the game’s title is that it was initially unreleased in North America. This is perplexing given that it essentially re-tells the Sasuke Retrieval story arc. Additionally, due to the intent to keep spoilers at bay for European audiences, this version of the game was edited and lacked voice acting, resulting in a less immersive experience.

4 Naruto Shippūden : Shinobi Retsuden 3 (Ninja Destiny 3)

Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: April 28, 2009
Developer(s): Tomy, Dream Factory
Genre(s): Action

In the 2000s, it was a frequent occurrence for me as an anime fan to find that games based on certain shows hadn’t been released outside of Japan because the episodes those games were based on hadn’t aired in other regions yet. Sadly, this meant that the third installment of Shinobi Retsuden remained exclusive to Japan and never saw a global release.

It’s unfortunate that among the games based on Naruto for DS, this one featured some of the most innovative concepts. The gameplay encompasses elements from traditional fighting games, adventure-style exploration, and epic real-time battles against iconic tailed-beasts from the series, making it a unique experience. Given its potential, it would have undoubtedly garnered attention in international markets, much like other games in the Ninja Destiny series.

3 Naruto Shippūden: Dairansen! Kage Bunshin Emaki

Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: February 14, 2008
Developer(s): Cyberfront Corporation
Genre(s): RPG

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but sing praises about “Dairansen! Kage Bunshin Emaki,” a captivating tale that dives deep into the Shippūden saga, focusing on the Kazekage Rescue arc to the Tenchi Bridge arc. Despite its brief coverage of the overall storyline, it more than compensates with exhilarating combat sequences and stunningly vivid and fluid pixel art animations that truly bring the action to life!

As a gamer, I found myself disappointed yet again when another game didn’t make it to North America because Naruto: Shippūden was still a year away from its premiere in the States back in 2009. To add salt to the wound, the Nintendo DS was nearing the end of its lifecycle, making localization efforts seem like a tiresome and futile task years later.

2 Naruto RPG 2: Chidori vs. Rasengan

Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: July 14, 2005
Developer(s): Tomy
Genre(s): RPG

Playing Naruto RPG 2 occurs at the end of the original Naruto series, which means it delves into a particularly gripping part of the storyline. Similar to many games based on anime from that time, this game may be challenging for new players due to the emotional climax that leads to the much-anticipated first battle between Naruto and Sasuke.

Currently, this game offers a distinctive method for immersing oneself in the story’s period. For example, with its party-based combat system, players can take companions like Choji and Shikamaru to locations such as Orochimaru’s lair. This puts these characters more center stage than they were in the series or comic books.

1 Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja 5

The fifth installment of the “Ultimate Ninja” series, which came out in 2006 in Japan and later in 2009 in Australia and the UK, did not get a North American release. This might be due to the US being well into its next console generation at that time and also because “Ultimate Ninja 4” had a Western release during the same year. Furthermore, the debut of “Ultimate Ninja Storm” in 2008 could have appeared as a regressive move for the series.

The game offers 62 characters you can play with, and unlike the storylines from the initial two Shippūden arcs, they aren’t limited by specific roles. For example, players could engage in a fierce battle between Zabuza, the lethal swordsman who is now deceased, and Sasori, the master puppeteer from Akatsuki. Ultimate Ninja 5 was the finale of a series cherished by many, making it unfortunate that not everyone had the chance to enjoy it when it was first released.

2024-10-20 14:24