Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen! 4 for the GameCube in Two Weeks!

News from Lik Sang

While US gamers still await the release of the first Naruto title, we importers are years ahead, about to enjoy Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen! 4. So it should come as no surprise that the four player anime fighter is at the top of our pre-order charts, and while we wait for the last two short weeks before its release, let’s see what's going to make this the best Naruto yet.

• Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen! 4 TV Commercial (1.2mb, 0:15, WMV)

Gameplay wise the action is hotter and more balanced than ever before with new features like everyone being able to side step while running, new and unique team specific super moves, and the ability for Naruto to unleash his demon fox from within any time he has a full chakra meter. Speaking of which, with an all new 3-man tag team mode, if you're in trouble just switch to one of your partners and while that character is off resting they'll regain their chakra.

Three of the new stages revealed so far include the roof of Konoha Hospital (Ep. 107), Orochimaru's Secret Lair (Ep. 135), and the plains from the Lee vs Kimimaro battle (Ep. 123-127). At the time of writing too, seven new characters have been announced. These start with the 14 year old members of Sound 4 like Jirobo, whom with unbelievable physical strength can actually tear boulder-sized chunks of dirt from the ground and slam them into his opponents! Then there's Kidomaru, packing six arms and the ability to create spider like webs, who loves toying with enemies before finishing them off. Sakon/Ukon are next, two brothers not just strong and quick on their feet, but also both inside the same one body. Trust me; you don't want to be on the receiving end of a punch if both of them are putting their strength into it! Last for the team is Tayuya, a foul mouthed ill tempered girl, but whose main weapon is a flute used to summon powerful demons and to create illusions.

Also fighting this round is Kaguya Kimimaro, who at 15 years of age is the last living member of the Kaguya Clan, famous for being able to manipulate their own skeleton frame. Then there's Yakushi Kabuto, 20 years old and by failing exams on purpose is secretly a much greater fighter than his Genin level ninja would lead opponents to believe. Finally Hoshigaki Kisame joins in, a 23 year old deadly terrorist Shinobi trained for evil purposes, and is well feared with very good reasons.

Beyond the seven newcomers above, here are 27 characters that just wouldn't turn down returning for a good fight in Naruto 4:

• Uzumaki Naruto
• Uchiha Sasuke
• Haruno Sakura
• Hatake Kakashi
• Umino Iruka
• Rock Lee
• Hyuuga Neji
• Tenten
• Maito Gai
• Nara Shikamaru
• Yamanaka Ino
• Akimichi Chouji
• Inuzuka Kiba
• Hyuuga Hinata
• Aburame Shino
• Gaara
• Kankuro
• Temari
• Jiraiya
• Orochimaru
• Tsunade
• Sarutobi - 3rd Hokage (Sandaime)
• Mitarashi Anko
• Uchiha Itachi
• Haku
• Momochi Zabuza
• Mizuki

While there's no doubt fans of the anime and manga will get more out of Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen! 4 than anyone else, there's also no denying the title can't be beaten as a full on four player fighter with far more unique and individually styled characters than anything else out there. Whether or not you know why Naruto can summon a bunshin clone of himself in battle, or turn into a giant nine tailed fox, doesn't make the moves any less cool

For those who haven't pre-ordered Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen! 4 yet, new orders are welcome anytime, and due Nov 21st, the game is of course eligible for our Free Shipping Worldwide promotion as well.