Bandai Namco Explains Delay for Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Bandai Namco provided an explanation for the delay of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4. The publisher moved the game’s release from its original Fall 2015 window to early 2016, citing a desire to meet high fan expectations for the fourth mainline installment in the fighting game series.

In a press release, the company confirmed the new dates. The game was scheduled to launch on February 5, 2016, in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australasia. The North American release was set for February 9, 2016. The title was planned for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Rationale for the Delay

The publisher stated that the delay would give developer CyberConnect2 more time to refine the experience. The goal was to deliver a product that reflected the quality the series is known for while also incorporating recent developments from the source material.

“In order to ensure that NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4 delivers the experience our fans have come to expect…This move will allow the talented development team at CyberConnect2 to push the limits of the game, delivering the most authentic and up-to-date content ever seen in an Ultimate Ninja STORM series game,” the statement read.

This commitment to being “up-to-date” was significant, as the Naruto Shippuden manga had concluded its run, and the game was set to cover the final arc of the Fourth Great Ninja War. Granting the development team additional months was intended to ensure this finale was adapted with the polish and spectacle fans anticipated. As the first title in the series developed specifically for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, expectations for graphical and technical improvements were particularly high.

New Characters Revealed at Gamescom

Coinciding with the delay announcement, Bandai Namco released a new set of screenshots for the game at Gamescom 2015. These images provided a first look at playable versions of Boruto Uzumaki and Sarada Uchiha, the children of the original series’ principal characters. Their inclusion represented the most current material from the franchise, tying into the story of Boruto: Naruto the Movie, which was also releasing around that time.

The screenshots showcased Boruto and Sarada in combat, highlighting their unique move sets and combination Ultimate Jutsu techniques. These next-generation characters were confirmed to be available as early unlocks for players who pre-ordered the game, serving as an incentive and a direct reflection of the publisher’s goal to keep the game’s content current with the evolving Naruto universe.