You’ve seen the reviews. You’ve probably read the angry Reddit threads. People love to call Naruto x Boruto Storm Connections a "glorified DLC" or a "lazy cash grab."
Honestly? I get it. When you’ve been waiting since 2016 for a proper sequel to Storm 4, seeing recycled assets feels like a Chidori to the chest. But here’s the thing: now that we’re well into 2026, the dust has settled, and the conversation around this game is changing.
It isn't just a sequel. It’s a platform. It's basically the "Smash Ultimate" of the Naruto world, and if you're still judging it based on the day-one launch drama, you're missing the bigger picture.
The Special Story Mode is the Real Hidden Leaf
Most people jumped into the "History Mode" first and felt cheated. Yeah, it's just a slideshow of old battles with some weirdly stiff narration. Skip it. The real heart of Naruto x Boruto Storm Connections is the Special Story mode centered on Boruto and the game-original characters, Nanashi and Merz.
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I’m going to be real with you—I didn't expect to care about a girl named Nanashi (later revealed as Hikari Uchiha). But the writing here is actually... good? It captures that old-school Naruto "cycle of hatred" vibe better than some of the actual Boruto anime arcs. Hikari is a "warring states" era Uchiha who was used as a weapon, and her relationship with Boruto gives us a version of the protagonist that feels much more like his father.
It’s tragic, it’s emotional, and by the time you reach the end, you’ll realize this wasn't just filler. It was a love letter to the themes of the original series.
Gameplay Tweaks That Changed the Meta
If you played the older games, you probably remember the "Tilt" mechanic. In Naruto x Boruto Storm Connections, that's gone. Replacing it with a second Ninjutsu was a controversial move, but it has made the combat way more dynamic.
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- Two Ninjutsu: You can now chain abilities in ways that were impossible before.
- The Simple Control Mode: Great for your little brother or someone who just wants to see the pretty lights, but it’s a death sentence in high-level ranked play.
- Recovering Chakra: It charges faster now, meaning the pace of matches is basically on 2x speed compared to Storm 3 or 4.
The biggest win, though? The roster. We’re talking over 130 characters. Getting to play as Indra and Ashura Otsutsuki or Baryon Mode Naruto feels like the power trip we’ve been waiting for. And let's talk about the DLC. Characters like Hagoromo, Isshiki, and Kurenai (finally!) filled the gaps that fans complained about for years.
The Online Struggle is Real
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the netcode is still a bit of a headache. In a world where every fighting game is moving to rollback netcode, Bandai Namco sticking with delay-based for Naruto x Boruto Storm Connections was a massive whiff.
You’ll still run into those matches where your input takes three business days to register. It sucks. But for those with a stable connection, the introduction of custom matchmaking and the "Ninja Battle" events—where you pick a side (like Rasengan vs. Chidori) and fight for points—gave the community a reason to keep logging in.
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Is It Worth It in 2026?
If you can find it on sale—and let’s be honest, it’s almost always on sale now—it’s a no-brainer for a Naruto fan. You aren't buying it for a groundbreaking new engine. You're buying it because it is the most complete library of Naruto combat ever assembled.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Skip History Mode: Don't waste your time if you've seen the anime. Go straight to the Special Story for the Nanashi/Hikari arc.
- Check the Patch Notes: If you're a returning player, look at the 1.60 update. They've done some serious balancing on "counter-dash" spamming that used to ruin the game.
- Farm Ninja Points: Use the "Survival" mode in Free Battle to quickly unlock the custom costumes. Some of the 20th-anniversary outfits are actually pretty sleek.
- Invest in the Season Pass: If you want the "real" experience, the Otsutsuki clan members added via DLC are essentially the most broken (and fun) characters in the game.
The game isn't perfect, but as a celebration of twenty years of ninja history, it eventually found its footing. Just don't expect it to reinvent the wheel. It's a Storm game, through and through.