Namco's Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes Coming This Summer

Namco announced on Wednesday plans to bring the first Naruto title to the PSP. They have already announced plans to release Naruto: Clash of Ninja for the Nintendo Wii later this year, and Naruto has already become an established brand on the Game Cube back in 2006.

Based on the hit anime series SHONEN JUMP NARUTO, here is what the press release has to say:

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced that the popular animated TV series SHONEN JUMPTM NARUTOTM, from VIZ Media, will invade the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system for the first time in NARUTOTM: Ultimate Ninja HeroesTM. Available late summer 2007, the latest edition of the series will offer a furious fighting game experience with up to 3-on-3 team-based gameplay, intense single-player action, and a wireless multiplayer versus mode for up to two users, all within the Naruto universe. With eight interactive stages and 20 playable characters to choose from, gamers can take the battle outside the perimeters of the home to become the ultimate Hokage.

"We are thrilled to be bringing the unique NARUTO style of fighting exclusively to the PSP system," said Makoto Iwai, Senior Vice President and COO, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. "Fans of both the show and franchise will be able to create and play as their favorite ninja dream team, and we are excited about introducing the NARUTO brand to a whole new batch of gamers."

Developed by CyberConnect2 exclusively for the U.S. and Europe, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes is the highly anticipated fighting game that gives gamers the ability to sharpen their ninja skills with intense single and multiplayer team-based fighting. In a new addition to the franchise, gamers will also have the ability to create and customize their own ninja dream squads to battle opponents or trade players' profiles via wireless connectivity. To further maximize the character power-up feature, players can form different team combinations to awaken hidden skills that lie within each group. Depending on the combinations, special team-based skills can be unleashed. Gamers can also earn power-up points toward upgrading each character's attack, defense, chakra, speed, and even special abilities.

NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes boasts the following features:
- First 3-on-3 Naruto team-based gameplay - Players can fight alone or form their favorite Naruto ninja dream team with up to three characters. Form squad combinations from the show or create an original team to unleash special skills.
- Ad hoc multiplayer - Engage in intense wireless battles anywhere and anytime via the PSP system's ad hoc capability. Power up squad members and battle against a friend's team.
- Game sharing - Play against a friend using a single UMD.
- Upgradeable characters - Level up your ninja rank that appears in the player's profile by completing different classes of missions using your favorite character.

For more information on NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes, visit www.namcobandaigames.com