Naruto Shippuden Clash of Ninja Revolution 3

Each Clash of Ninja installment brings either drastic or subtle changes. For instance, the Japan-only Clash of Ninja 3 introduced transformation modes, and Clash of Ninja 2 Revolution brought in-hand seals performed with the Wii Remote to increase health or chakra. In Naruto Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3, the franchise's fifth installment, players are treated to a new tag mechanic that instantly switches teammates in combat, and, to the delight of the community, online matchmaking play. CONR3 sets out to be one of the best in the franchise, but several shortcomings frustrate the overall experience.

The combat remains largely untouched from its predecessors. The fundamentals center around players jockeying for position on a 3D plane, with sidestepping crucial for avoiding linear attacks and tricky teleport set-ups. Combos can be as simple as mashing a single button, while harder combos involve delicate timing and careful character placement. Canceling, a mechanic that interrupts a move at the cost of your chakra meter, can lead to some fantastic, long combos. However, long combos are kept balanced by the substitution jutsu mechanic (teleporting as an instant escape out of a combo), and the game's accelerated gravity system on airborne characters gradually pulls them towards the ground.