As part of Thursday's PlayStation State of Play event, Bandai Namco Entertainment announced the latest release in the popular Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series. Introduced as Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections, it not only builds on the legacy of the past four Ultimate Ninja Storm releases but expands into an exciting new era. The latest Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm title will be released in 2023 in celebration of Naruto's 20th anniversary.
It has been nearly six years since the release of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 and its Road to Boruto expansion. It was, in many ways, a fitting culmination for the franchise. Developer CyberConnect2 took the opportunity to work on other projects, afterward. It made new licensed anime games in the .hack, Dragon Ball Z, Demon Slayer, and Jojo's Bizarre Adventure franchises. But an eventual return to Naruto always seemed inevitable, especially with the success of the Boruto anime and manga.
The long wait is over and Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections has been announced. It will be both a celebration of the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm franchise up to this point, as well as pushing the franchise forward in a new direction. To the first point, Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections features all 124 ninjas from Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Road to Boruto, plus edited scenes from all four prior Ultimate Ninja Storm games' story modes.
Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections is expanding in new ways, too. New fighters will be added to the game, with both Ashura Otsutsuki and Indra Otsutsuki being the first additions to be confirmed. There will also be an original story available, new even to fans of the Naruto and Boruto mangas and anime series.
Lastly, while Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections will be building on the gameplay of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, it will be updated to feature new visuals and 60FPS on next-gen consoles. It should be a modern definitive edition for a series many thought might end with the conclusion of Naruto Shippuden.
Some Naruto fans may be disappointed that Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections isn't necessarily a full-fledged sequel to the Ultimate Ninja Storm franchise. Even so, expect CyberConnect2 to make sure this release is special and celebrates the Naruto franchise as it deserves. At the very least, it should refresh the game's community and provide a great opportunity to play some Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm with friends once more.
Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections releases in 2023 on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.