Review by: Brian Rowe

Anime series in the US have a tendency to peak and sputter with yearly regularity, but the Naruto obsession is still plowing forward with relentless vigor. At this rate, there will be more video game adaptations of the franchise than actual episodes. If you don’t understand the appeal, Revolution III won’t suck you into the fold. It might even repel you. For fans of the anime and Revolution series, this is the chance to take the grown-up characters of Shippuden into battle with a new set of moves.

There is subtle humor in Tomy’s declaration, “The best fighter on Wii,” in all caps, of course. It’s easy being on top when you don’t have much for competition, so don’t mistake Revolution III for a serious fighter, ala Tekken or Street Fighter. This is a straight-up brawler in which mashing buttons makes cool ninja-moves happen. We’ve all seen and scoffed at movie characters haphazardly hammering away at a controller. This is probably the game being played.

There are combos, special attacks, and super-powered Jutsu-attacks recreated with cel-shaded accuracy and intensity. Memorizing them is almost pointless, but not at the fault of the spotless controls. Revolution III is too fast and flashy for its own good. There is no time to read opponents and react accordingly, leaving most fights to the mercy of constant sidestepping/substitution (a teleporting counterattack). Watching ninjas bounce back and forth in puffs of smoke and flying kunai is a fantastic sight, but one that’s incredibly easy to duplicate by rapidly slapping two buttons.

Story mode is a convoluted mess of characters and motivations. Character-choice is negligible, and you’ll rarely occupy the same persona for more than two matches as the two-hour (on a perfect run) plot unfolds. Detachment quickly morphs into pure aggravation as the difficulty spikes with cruelty, and you’re left to learn an entirely new character on the spot. Sometimes you can get by with the two-button mash, but most fights have a goal, and one that isn’t always clear. For example: I was thrown into Kakashi’s shoes and told to finish my opponent with his “Secret Technique after Sharingan,” but neither Secret Techniques nor Sharingan are explained in the manual. It is only because of my familiarity with Naruto that I knew what to do.

Multiplayer is the only way to go, and Revolution III almost earns its name for once. Whether playing alone or with a full party, you can set up straight one-on-one battles, two-on-two tag-matches, or hectic free-for-alls. Players can also hop online this time around, although the fights can be stuttered. I imagine that Revolution III could make an excellent party game, as it’s all about high thrills with minimal practice. Don’t forget the necessary evil of Story mode though, unless you’re fine having eight out of 37 characters.

Diehard Naruto fans might find a little joy in taking their favorite characters into the ring (again), but the payoff for the effort of trudging through Story mode is adequate at best. Revolution III is a button-masher in the truest sense; high on action and lacking the tactical edge that made brawlers like Super Smash Bros. and Revolution’s competitive sibling, Ultimate Ninja, so endearing and entertaining.