Best Naruto Games to Play While Waiting for the Next Release
The top pick is Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 — it’s the most complete, polished, and visually stunning Naruto fighting game, with a huge roster, a story mode covering the Fourth Great Ninja War, and enough DLC to keep you busy for months. It’s the closest thing to “the definitive Naruto game” and works on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, so almost anyone can jump in right now.
What to Look For
When choosing a Naruto game to tide you over, focus on these criteria:
- Story coverage: Do you want to relive the anime’s major arcs, or are you fine with an original story? Games like Ultimate Ninja Storm follow the canon closely; others like Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker are original.
- Gameplay style: Are you in the mood for a 1v1 arena fighter, a 4v4 team brawler, or an open-world RPG? Each sub-genre feels very different.
- Single-player vs. multiplayer: Some games are built for solo story modes, others are online-focused. Check if the online community is still active.
- Platform availability: Most games are on PC and modern consoles, but a few are last-gen only. Make sure the game you pick runs on your hardware.
- Replay value: Look for extra modes like free battle, online ranked, or DLC characters. A game you can pick up for 20 minutes is better for waiting periods.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
Strengths: The best-selling and most critically acclaimed Naruto fighter. It covers the entire Fourth Great Ninja War arc, including the Kaguya fight, and has a massive roster (over 100 characters with DLC). The combat is flashy, easy to learn, but has depth for competitive play. The “Road to Boruto” DLC adds a short but fun epilogue.
Trade-offs: The story mode is a series of boss fights and cutscenes, not a full open world. Some older characters feel similar to each other. Online matchmaking can be dead on certain platforms.
Who it suits: Anyone who wants the definitive Naruto experience in one package. Great for both solo players and those who want to fight friends locally or online.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst
Strengths: Covers the Five Kage Summit and early war arcs with a more focused story than Storm 4. The “Full Burst” version includes all DLC and improved graphics. It’s cheaper than Storm 4 and still looks great.
Trade-offs: The roster is smaller (about 80 characters), and the story ends before the final war. The online mode is mostly dead now.
Who it suits: Budget-conscious players who want a solid single-player campaign and don’t need the absolute latest roster.
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker
Strengths: A 4v4 team-based online brawler with a unique third-person combat system. You create your own ninja, choose a class (Attack, Ranged, Defense, Heal), and use customizable jutsu. It’s the only Naruto game that focuses on multiplayer teamwork, and it still gets new content.
Trade-offs: The single-player mode is thin (mostly tutorials and missions against AI). The game is heavily online-dependent, and the matchmaking can be slow. The camera and controls take time to get used to.
Who it suits: Players who enjoy competitive multiplayer and want a different take on Naruto combat. Best if you have friends to play with.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm (Original)
Strengths: The game that started the modern Naruto fighting series. It covers the original Naruto story from the beginning through the Sasuke Retrieval arc. The cell-shaded graphics still look charming, and the boss fights (like vs. Gaara) are iconic.
Trade-offs: Very dated mechanics compared to later entries. The roster is only about 25 characters. No online multiplayer in the original release (the “Trilogy” remaster adds some improvements but not online).
Who it suits: Nostalgic fans who want to experience the early arcs in game form and don’t mind older gameplay.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2
Strengths: Covers the Shippuden story from the Kazekage Rescue arc through the Pain arc. It introduced a free-roam hub world (the Hidden Leaf Village) that was a big step up. The boss fights, especially vs. Pain, are some of the best in the series.
Trade-offs: The hub world can feel empty and slow. The roster is smaller than later games. No online multiplayer on PC (the Trilogy version has online on consoles).
Who it suits: Players who want a story-focused experience with a bit of exploration and don’t need the full roster.
Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections
Strengths: The newest game in the Storm series (released 2023). It has the largest roster ever (over 130 characters) and a new “Special Story” mode that recaps the entire anime series in a condensed format. It also includes the full story modes from Storm 1-4 as DLC.
Trade-offs: The Special Story mode is a series of slideshows with occasional fights, not a full campaign. The game is essentially a remaster of Storm 4 with extra characters, so if you already own Storm 4, the upgrade may not be worth it.
Who it suits: Newcomers who want the most complete roster and a quick recap of the whole story, or collectors who want the latest entry.
How to Choose
Start with your budget. If you want to spend under $20, look for Storm 3 Full Burst or Storm 2 on sale. If you’re willing to pay full price, Storm 4 or Connections are the best value for content.
Next, decide your use case. For solo story immersion, Storm 2 and Storm 3 are great. For a quick pick-up-and-play fighting game, Storm 4 is the best. For online multiplayer with friends, Shinobi Striker is your only real choice.
Common trade-offs: Storm 4 vs. Connections – if you already own Storm 4, Connections adds little unless you want the new characters (like Isshiki). Storm 3 vs. Storm 2 – Storm 3 has better combat and graphics, but Storm 2 has the better story (Pain arc). Shinobi Striker vs. Storm – Striker is online-only and team-based; Storm is 1v1 and solo-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which Naruto game has the most characters?
A: Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections has the largest roster with over 130 characters, including Boruto-era fighters.
Q: Are the Ultimate Ninja Storm games available on PC?
A: Yes, all mainline Storm games (1-4 and Connections) are on Steam. The older ones (Storm 1-3) are sold as the “Trilogy” bundle.
Q: Is Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 still worth it in 2025?
A: Absolutely. It’s still the best-balanced and most complete Storm game, and the “Road to Boruto” DLC adds extra content. The graphics hold up well.
Q: Can I play Naruto games on Nintendo Switch?
A: Yes, Storm 2, Storm 3, Storm 4, and Connections are all on Switch. Shinobi Striker is not.
Q: Which Naruto game has the best story mode?
A: Many fans say Storm 2 has the best story mode because it covers the Pain arc, which is a high point of the anime, and it has a free-roam hub.
Q: Is Shinobi Striker still active online?
A: Yes, there is still a player base, especially on PlayStation and PC. The game receives periodic updates with new characters and jutsu.
Bottom Line
If you want one game to play until the next release, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is the safest and most satisfying pick. It offers the best balance of story, gameplay, and content. If you’re on a tight budget, grab Storm 3 Full Burst on sale. If online multiplayer is your priority, Shinobi Striker is the only real option. And if you’re a newcomer who wants everything, Connections gives you the most characters, but you’ll miss the full story experience of the older games.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.