There are plenty of action-packed, ninja-style games available on the market, but the Naruto series stands out from the rest. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, the most recent installment of the popular franchise, has all the exciting features of its predecessors, plus some new twists. But if you’re ready to explore different ninja-themed games, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 games like Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3.
1. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is more than just an action game, it’s a classic battle between good and evil. Play as your favorite characters from the Dragon Ball Z franchise and duke it out with your opponents in a series of exciting battles. You can choose up to 150 different characters, including some of the characters from the Naruto series. One of the major differences between Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 is that you can play with up to four players at the same time in Dragon Ball Z. Plus, you can explore a variety of different customizable moves and combos, creating an even more realistic fighting experience.
2. Dynasty Warriors 5
Dynasty Warriors 5 is a tactical role-playing action-adventure game, inspired by the legendary Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel. In this game, you can play as one of the five warring states, attempt to unite all of China and become the ruler of the entire nation. The battles in Dynasty Warriors 5 are fast-paced, with more than 40 levels spread across 17 different locations. While the action in Dynasty Warriors 5 is slightly different from Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, they both have the same type of combat system and you can use a variety of different combos to defeat your enemies.
3. Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood
Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood is a fast-paced and graphic fighting game, where you can play as one of several backyard wrestlers, or create your own. The goal of the game is to out-wrestle your opponents, create chaos in the ring, and become the champion of the Backyard Wrestling Federation. This game has some similarities with Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, in that it’s a fast-paced action-packed game, but there are some major differences, such as the fact that you can use heavy weaponry, like chairs, bats and ladders to defeat your opponents.
4. Tairyo Jigoku
Tairyo Jigoku, which translates to “Deep-sea Hell” is a side-scrolling action game, in which you play as a heroic ninja, who must battle his way through an underwater level to reach the surface. As you progress through the game, you can collect coins, power-ups and special items, which will help you progress through the levels. The story of Tairyo Jigoku is similar to Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, in that you have to fight your way past enemy ninjas to progress, but the difference is that in Tairyo Jigoku, you can use a variety of different weapons, like swords and bows, giving the game a more strategic feel.
5. Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams
Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams is set in the Sengoku period of Japan, and you play as a powerful warrior who must battle demons, powerful samurai and witches. This game emphasizes more on the puzzle solving aspect than on the fighting, with lots of different levels and complex puzzles that you must complete to progress. Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams also has a more clearly defined storyline than Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, which adds an extra layer of depth to the game.
6. Tenchu: Shadow Assassins
Tenchu: Shadow Assassins is set in feudal Japan, and you play as a ninja who must complete a series of dangerous missions to prove his worth. This game puts a heavy emphasis on stealth, as you must sneak through levels and avoid detection, or use special ninja techniques to defeat your opponents. While the action in Tenchu: Shadow Assassins is less intense than Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, it still has plenty of exciting combat sequences.
7. Soulcalibur
Soulcalibur is a classic fighting game, where you can choose from a wide selection of characters, each with their own unique abilities and weapons. This game features some of the most iconic characters from the fighting game genre, such as the likes of Sophitia, Taki and Kilik. The combat system in Soulcalibur is similar to Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, but the major difference is that Soulcalibur features 3D graphics, while Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 has 2D graphics.
8. Shinobi
Shinobi is a classic side-scrolling action game, which follows the adventures of Joe Musashi, a ninja who must rescue his students from the evil forces of the world. The game itself is quite simple, but it has some intense action sequences, and you can use a variety of different ninja techniques to defeat your enemies. One of the major differences between Shinobi and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 is that Shinobi has a more classic action-adventure style of gameplay, instead of the fast-paced action of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3.
9. Naruto: The Broken Bond
Naruto: The Broken Bond is the sequel to Naruto: Rise of a Ninja, and it follows the story of Naruto Uzumaki, as he embarks on a quest to prove himself to his ninja peers. The game features a variety of different missions, and you must use your ninja skills to complete them. The combat system in Naruto: The Broken Bond is similar to Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, but it has a more tactical approach, as you must choose the best way to take on your opponents.
10. Bleach: Soul Resurrección
Bleach: Soul Resurrección is an action-adventure game where you play as characters from the popular manga and anime series Bleach. The story follows the adventures of Ichigo and his comrades, as they battle the evil forces of the world. The combat in Bleach: Soul Resurrección is similar to Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, with fast-paced action and spectacular special moves, but you must also make use of the environment to gain an advantage against your enemies.
Conclusion
For fans of the Naruto series, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 is an absolute must-have. But if you’re looking for other ninja-themed action games, there are plenty of great options. From classic battle games like Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 to tactical role-playing games like Dynasty Warriors 5, there is something for everyone. And if you’re a fan of the Bleach franchise, you should definitely check out Bleach: Soul Resurrección. No matter which game you choose, you’re sure to have an exciting and action-packed experience.