NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS

Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections is another derivate ink stroke on the never-ending ninja scroll that makes up the Ultimate Ninja Storm series.

51%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

optimization, stability

51% User Score Based on 1,375 reviews

Critic Score 66%Based on 14 reviews

Platforms

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About

"NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS" is an action-packed fighting game that brings together legendary ninjas from both the Naruto and Boruto series. With over 130 playable characters, improved network battles, and the addition of Simple mode for easier combos, players can enjoy heated ninja battles. The game offers two different story modes for players to explore. The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include additional costumes, accessories, and playable characters.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS screenshot

51%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,375 reviews

story99 positive mentions

optimization9 negative mentions

The combat mechanics have been improved, making the gameplay feel more fluid and dynamic.
The special story mode is engaging and offers a fresh narrative that resonates well with fans.
The character roster is extensive, with all characters unlocked from the start, allowing for immediate gameplay variety.

The history mode is poorly executed, relying heavily on slideshows and omitting many iconic battles from previous games.
There is no option for custom matchmaking or the ability to play with friends online, which is a significant drawback for a fighting game.
The game feels like a cash grab, with minimal new content compared to previous entries and many features missing at launch.

story
566 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
75%
8%
The story aspect of "Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections" has received mixed to negative feedback from players. Many reviewers criticized the main story mode for being a condensed slideshow of previous games, lacking depth and significant boss battles, which diminishes the overall narrative experience. However, the new "special story" mode featuring Boruto has been praised for its emotional depth and character development, offering a fresh perspective despite its linearity and some narrative shortcomings. Overall, while the gameplay remains enjoyable, the storytelling is seen as a major letdown compared to earlier entries in the series.
- “I do not mind still images in story but that was it on that story mode while ultimate ninja storm 2, 3, and 4 did a great job on its story mode with beautiful cut-scenes that use the graphics engine.”
- “The special story mode introduces a game-original narrative focused on characters from the Boruto next generation, delivering a new saga within the universe.”
- “The story is a bunch of PowerPoint slideshows and this game at this point is not worth your money or your time.”
- “The story mode for Naruto's adventure barely exists, which is just disappointing when you consider that this game was advertised as a complete package, both for longtime fans and newcomers.”
- “You basically get a condensed compilation of crucial story events and battles from all the previous games in the Storm series, many of which have been either completely cut or dumbed down to a point of them just being a regular versus match, making you feel like you're skipping through huge chunks of the story.”
- “The story mode is a slideshow presentation with AI battles from the whole series, with 6 or 7 heavily downgraded boss fights from Storm 1-4.”
gameplay
245 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
62%
9%
The gameplay of "Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections" has received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved mechanics and faster-paced combat, which allows for more dynamic combos and character interactions. However, criticisms focus on the removal of beloved features, unbalanced mechanics, and a lack of depth in both the story and multiplayer experiences, leading some to view it as a mere update rather than a full-fledged sequel. Overall, while the gameplay is considered enjoyable by some, it is marred by issues that detract from the overall experience, particularly for long-time fans of the series.
- “The gameplay is fun, but like the special story is beyond boring and the history mode just feels kinda half-baked.”
- “Gameplay: new mechanics make the game feel faster and more aggressive, with over 50 tweaks enhancing the experience.”
- “The fighting mechanics got a lot better and a lot more aggressive compared to the last storm game.”
- “Gameplay feels worse compared to the previous games, absolutely not worth the price they are asking.”
- “Not only did they give up on the single player aspect but the core gameplay has been destroyed in hopes to make the game more accessible, making the game lose any ounce of identity it had left.”
- “This game takes most of the strategic play out of the mechanics and just makes it a jutsu spamming nightmare.”
graphics
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
62%
4%
The graphics of "Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals and improvements over previous titles, particularly in character design and cutscenes. However, some players feel that the graphics do not represent a significant upgrade from earlier games, citing issues like stuttering and a lack of innovation despite the game's long development time. Overall, while the game showcases beautiful graphics and smoother gameplay, it has been criticized for not fully meeting expectations given its price and the legacy of the franchise.
- “The only good thing about the game is that it's definitely the most impressive and visually stunning when it comes to graphics.”
- “Beautiful graphics and colors.”
- “The graphics have been updated, and the particle effects and lighting make the game look amazing.”
- “At its core, it's nothing more than a $60 graphics update for Storm 4 with no tilt moves and a child-friendly mode that plays for you.”
- “The negative is that the quality of the graphics, such as the shapes of the characters and the arenas, is not upgraded as if it were a PS3 generation game.”
- “Bad graphics, bad story retelling, no private multiplayer, literally the worst Storm game ever to come out. What were we thinking putting this out? You're all a joke!”
optimization
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
63%
28%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, lag, and low frame rates, making it nearly unplayable online and offline. While some updates have addressed certain performance problems, the overall consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized, with many users expressing frustration over its inability to run smoothly even on high-end hardware. A few players noted better performance on specific devices like the Steam Deck, but these instances are not representative of the general experience.
- “Later updates fixed performance issues.”
- “Performance-wise, the game isn't buggy, so that's a plus in and of itself.”
- “Even though the cap is at 60 fps, it still looks really nice and runs smoothly.”
- “Game has severe performance issues.”
- “It is unplayable online; stuttering, input bugs, lag, and low fps are experienced in nearly every match.”
- “Unoptimized excuse for a game.”
stability
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
91%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with users reporting frequent lags, glitches, crashes, and softlocks, particularly when alt-tabbing or during online play. Many players express frustration over unbalanced matchmaking and persistent bugs that have remained unresolved despite the game's lengthy development time. While some users note that the game runs well performance-wise, the overall experience is marred by significant stability issues that hinder gameplay.
- “Performance-wise, the game isn't buggy, so that's a plus in and of itself.”
- “This game looks good and runs great, providing a smooth experience overall.”
- “The stability of the game enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
- “Additional issues include lags and glitches, coupled with a few crashes and softlocks, mainly when you alt-tab.”
- “Not recommended. Unfinished, very buggy, not balanced. Just another cash grab from Bandai Namco. My game won't even have audio dialogue for some reason; there's no solution on the internet. Tried everything.”
- “Infinite glitches, bad network connections, no ability to play with friends, no ability to select individual characters to play with, and a whole lot missing like inviting friends, creating own lobbies, tournament mode.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
71%
14%
The music aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with players expressing frustration over technical issues related to volume adjustments and the high cost of DLC that offers limited music options. While some appreciate the inclusion of nostalgic anime songs during battles, many feel that the overall soundtrack is lacking and does not live up to expectations, particularly in comparison to previous titles in the series. The sentiment is further marred by complaints about the quality of the menu music and the repetitive nature of the battle tracks.
- “The soundtrack is fine, though it's got a paid DLC for some of the best openings from the anime, and that's somewhat nice.”
- “Plus the option to have the anime intro songs playing in the fights is pretty cool.”
- “Music from the openings really matches in battles.”
- “Unbelievably, I have to go directly into the config file and change it myself, and even then, the game crashes each time I try to adjust anything; whether it be the music volume or the voice acting language, it doesn't matter, it crashes every single time.”
- “I was hoping for maybe actual background music from the anime that could play instead of the cheesy game music that we've heard throughout the Storm games.”
- “With the price tag that they put for just 5 songs ($20), I think it's absolutely ludicrous that there aren't more songs to go with it at least right off the bat.”
monetization
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, exploiting fans' nostalgia for the Ultimate Ninja Storm franchise without delivering a polished or complete experience. Many reviewers express disappointment over the rushed development and lack of substantial content, labeling it as a low-effort attempt to capitalize on the franchise rather than a genuine effort to honor its legacy. Overall, players feel that the game fails to justify its full price, leading to frustration among dedicated fans.
- “I bought this game out of love for the Ultimate Ninja Storm franchise, and now I realize they exploited that nostalgia to deliver a crappy, half-finished cash grab that seriously needs a total makeover of the story mode to honor the decency of its older versions.”
- “As a Naruto fan, it pains me to say this is the very definition of a cash grab.”
- “This seems like a disappointing cash grab at fans who have been waiting a long time for this game to release.”
grinding
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
15%
77%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to unlock items and progress, especially compared to previous titles. Many express frustration with the lack of options to streamline or bypass grinding, leading to a gameplay experience that feels more like a chore than enjoyable. Overall, the grinding system is seen as a major drawback, detracting from the overall fun and engagement of the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's too much money and a lot of grinding to complete your collection.”
- “I hope you like grinding against NPCs, because matchmaking is dead.”
- “Gameplay is not fun; it's more tedious and has a larger learning curve than previous titles.”
humor
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding amusement in character interactions and absurd matchups, such as using a weaker character to counter a stronger one. While some moments, like character creation, provide genuine laughs, others highlight the game's flaws, leading to a humorous frustration with performance issues and character design. Overall, the humor is often derived from the game's quirks and the players' experiences, making it a source of both enjoyment and critique.
- “Funny super armor Rasengan / invincibility frame Shinra Tensei go brrr.”
- “It's especially funny using a genin like Hinata to counter 6 Paths Naruto, for instance.”
- “The character creation adds some funny moments to the game, and after I had a bad time the first week, the game now starts to be really fun.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
88%
38%
Players appreciate the emotional depth of the single-player content in the Storm series, particularly praising the unique and moving narratives that stand apart from the anime. While some storylines, like Boruto's VR adventure, are criticized for being clichéd, the special story mode is highlighted for its ability to evoke strong emotions, with beautifully animated sequences that enhance the storytelling experience. Overall, the emotional impact of the narratives, especially in the special story, resonates deeply with players, often leaving them moved and satisfied.
- “I absolutely prefer single player content for the Storm series to have great unique and emotionally moving stories like this one rather than rehashing the anime in every game.”
- “Experience the emotional highs and intense battles with beautifully animated QTE cinematics, interlaced with anime stills and narration that elaborate on key story moments between each gripping confrontation.”
- “I absolutely love the new characters and the scenario presented in the new story, and definitely felt a lot of emotions playing through it (in a good way, it's a very touching story).”
- “The other story mode features a unique storyline with Boruto (post-karma, pre-Kawaki), where he's trying out a Naruto-based VR game. However, it devolves into an extremely bad and boring narrative filled with the usual tropes of redemption, and Boruto's unnecessary concern for others feels forced.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters is lacking, making it hard to connect with their struggles and triumphs.”
- “Despite the potential for a gripping story, the emotional moments fall flat and fail to resonate with the player.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game offers some replayability through its new story mode and additional playable anime songs, providing hours of gameplay. However, many users feel it falls short compared to previous titles in the series, lacking the excitement and replay value they expected.
- “The new story mode offers hours of gameplay and incredible replayability.”
- “With four anime songs playable during matches, each playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
- “The game isn't bad; it's just not great. Every other Storm game has been amazing thus far; however, this is severely lacking in replayability value and excitement.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the character designs and find the Boruto story engaging, highlighting that it features strong character development throughout the series.
- “What can I say, I like the character designs and this series has always been pretty enjoyable!”
- “The Boruto story is good, with nice character development.”