The sequel to Namco Bandai's game based on the adventures of Masashi Kishimoto's loud mouthed Ninja super star returns with more of the same gameplay, and a number of cool enhancements and extras that make it worth giving a shot. Most notably, the game delivers 35 playable characters into the mix - which means that fans of the show get a lot more options in who they can play. The worst part of the game is probably Naruto's dialogue, which makes you wish someone somewhere would write a storyline where he gets throat cancer and can no longer talk..

But ultra grating voice-work aside, Naruto is a great franchise that is perfect for gaming because it features ultra powerful fighters battling each other at breakneck speeds using ridiculously super powered attacks. It's like Dragon Ball Z only there's less romance and an abundance of yelling.. okay it's a lot like DBZ.

UN2 doesn't skimp on the action, and surprisingly, learning to play is pretty straightforward. While some of the advanced techniques you'll need to learn can be hard to handle at first, fastidious beat 'em up fans will have very little trouble learning the ropes quickly.

The main mode in UN2 is the appropriately named Ultimate Road, which replaces the previous game's Scenario mode. In this mode you'll get plenty of plot, along with an interesting character enhancement system and the ability to purchase items. This mode is important because it is how you unlock a ton of content including extra characters, bonus videos, cards, music, and a whole bunch of other shiny Naruto trinkets and baubles.

The control scheme for UN2 is very easy to grasp and easy to pick up and play in very little time; you'll use the circle button to attack, the X button to jump (which in turn positions you for some cool aerial attacks), the square button to use items (that you obtain from drops during combat), R2 and L2 block and holding down the d-pad stores chakra for special super secret techniques - which you can unleash with a combination of triangle and circle button pushes.

Combat in the game is the antithesis of Naruto's voice; smooth as silk. Combat takes place on a 2D field where you can double jump in the air and then lunge at your opponent, or drop down low for a brief breather, or dash toward a wall and walk it rapidly. The animation is fast paced and yet graceful in its execution as you kick and punch your opponent into submissions. Kicking and punching fills up your chakra meter, which can then be used to dole out some devastation attacks. These special attacks really change the flow of the game from fast paced to frantic, but once you've figured out how it all works it can be a lot of fun – albeit a challenge.

Secret techniques are one of the elements in the game that really make it shine. You execute these special attacks activating it with some button presses, which takes you to a scene that plays out as a mini-game where you do things like press buttons rapidly, or rotating the analog sticks. While these are fun and exciting when you can pull them off, it's not always an easy thing to do - the challenge is really more about personal endurance than anything else..