NAMCO BANDAI announced today that NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress will launch exclusively for the PSP system this summer in North America. Developed by CyberConnect2, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress continues the frantic, action packed one-on-one battles the series is known for. The game also introduces a new storyline based on the popular NARUTO animated series, rated T for Teens, from VIZ Media, as well as a roster of more than 20 characters and frantic head-to-head multiplayer action with game sharing capabilities.

The storyline of NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress revolves around a mysterious phantom castle that has suddenly appeared over the Hidden Leaf Village, draining the townspeople’s life energy. When Naruto infiltrates the castle to find out who is behind this terrible scheme, he finds himself confronted with threatening illusions, visions of the past and a strange masked woman with a vendetta against the Leaf Ninja. Joined by his friends, it will take all of Naruto’s courage to unravel the puzzle behind the castle and defeat this powerful new enemy.

In NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress, players take a custom party of four NARUTO characters through over 100 floors of the castle, experiencing fierce one-on-one battles, exciting mini-games and dramatic story twists in an all-out game of survival. Along the way, players will be able to power-up each party member in a new character customization system, equipping abilities and items to gain a decisive edge in battle. Updating the series’ trademark fast-paced combat system, players will be able to pull off acrobatic flying attacks, flashy combo strikes and unstoppable jutsu skills with ease. Additionally, players can customize their game experience by choosing to play through the full game with English or the original Japanese voices.

Players will also be able to hone their fighting spirit against their friends in the game’s intense multiplayer mode. An incredible variety of team configurations are available as players do battle to see who has the strongest ninja jutsu. NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress supports game sharing for multiplayer action on two PSP systems with just one copy of the game.