Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Naruto: Ninja Council delivers a fast-paced side-scrolling experience that captures the essence of the anime’s shinobi action. Players can choose between Story mode, which follows a linear progression from the Survival Exam to Orochimaru’s assault on Konoha, or Free mode, which allows revisiting unlocked stages for high-score runs and exploration. The two playable characters—Naruto and Sasuke—share a basic moveset but each offers a distinct feel thanks to their unique special attacks.

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Combat relies on tight button inputs for combos, weapon pickups like shuriken and kunai, and strategic use of chakra-based jutsus. Each stage introduces environmental hazards and mid-level scrolls that grant elemental enhancements, such as Lightning Style, opening up new avenues for both offense and traversal. Time pressure is real: a five-minute timer per stage keeps the pace brisk, forcing players to balance exploration with efficient progression.

Boss encounters punctuate every level and reset the timer upon entry, presenting patterns that reward memorization and quick reflexes. Kakashi-sensei’s pop-up hints offer valuable insights on boss vulnerabilities and control reminders, which helps newcomers adapt without breaking immersion. Hidden health-restoring characters encourage thorough stage scouting, adding a light exploration layer to the otherwise linear design.

Graphics

On the Game Boy Advance hardware, Naruto: Ninja Council pushes the system with colorful, well-animated sprites and detailed backgrounds. Character models are instantly recognizable, capturing Naruto’s exuberance and Sasuke’s stoic demeanor in just a few pixels. The animation frames during combos and jutsu sequences feel fluid, adding weight to each impact.

Stages are themed around familiar locations—training grounds, the Forest of Death, and the outskirts of Konoha Village—each rendered with vibrant palettes that shift to match the story’s tone. Subtle parallax scrolling effects in certain screens lend depth, while occasional frame rate dips under intense on-screen action are minor and infrequent enough not to disrupt gameplay.

The user interface is clean and unobtrusive: chakra meters, health bars, and timers sit neatly at the top of the screen. Weapon icons for shuriken and kunai are intuitively displayed whenever you pick them up, and the special attack prompts flash clearly when you have enough chakra to unleash your character’s signature move. Overall, the visual presentation remains faithful to the anime’s style within the limitations of a handheld console.

Story

The narrative in Ninja Council condenses key early arcs of the Naruto anime into bite-sized chapters. While it begins with the Chūnin Exam’s Survival Trial and culminates in Orochimaru’s iconic invasion, several in-between moments are skipped or simplified. Fans of the series will appreciate the inclusion of major confrontations—such as the battles against Haku and Orochimaru—though some emotional beats lose context due to the truncated format.

Dialogue is sparse, delivered through brief text bubbles before and after stages. This minimal approach keeps the action moving but sacrifices character development that long-time fans might miss. However, the game does well to capture the rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke through their selectable roles, giving players a personal stake in how the story unfolds on the battlefield.

Free mode decouples story beats from gameplay, enabling players to revisit favorite fights without narrative interruptions. Although the plot framework may feel skeletal to those expecting a deep retelling, it provides just enough structure to justify the progression of increasingly difficult challenges and boss encounters.

Overall Experience

Naruto: Ninja Council stands out as a solid action title on the GBA, merging responsive controls, dynamic stage design, and recognizable series elements into a cohesive package. The five-minute timer on each level adds a healthy dose of adrenaline, encouraging focused play and quick decision-making. Replay value is bolstered by Free mode and hidden health pickups that reward exploration.

While the story adaptation is brief, the core appeal lies in the combat mechanics and faithful visual style. Casual players may find the difficulty curve steep at times, especially during late-game boss fights, but the inclusion of hints from Kakashi and the ability to swap between Naruto and Sasuke provides some mitigation. Collecting scrolls and mastering special jutsus keeps each run feeling fresh.

Ultimately, Naruto: Ninja Council is a worthwhile purchase for fans of the franchise and action-platformer enthusiasts alike. Its blend of tight gameplay, series nostalgia, and handheld-friendly design make it a standout entry in the Ninja Council lineup. Whether you’re reliving the early shinobi saga or simply hunting high scores, this game offers many hours of spirited ninja action.

Retro Replay Score

6.3/10