Introduction: My Journey Into the Hidden Leaf on a DS Screen
I still remember the first time I popped Naruto: Ninja Council 3 into my old silver Nintendo DS Lite. I was expecting another quick anime cash-grab — you know, the type where you button-mash through a half-baked story just to see a few familiar faces. But this game? This one hooked me.
From the moment the intro theme kicked in — with voice clips from the anime and colorful Hidden Leaf Village backdrops — I knew this wasn’t just filler content. It had heart. It had style. And most importantly, it had jutsu.
If you’ve played the earlier entries like Naruto: Ninja Council 1 and 2, you already know the formula: side-scrolling ninja action, fast-paced platforming levels, and anime storylines condensed into bite-sized DS missions. But Ninja Council 3 brought new things to the table — better jutsu mechanics, a bigger character roster, touchscreen controls for unleashing attacks, and a storyline that actually followed the Chūnin Exam arc in a satisfying way.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to play, how to unlock content, the game’s place in Naruto history, and why it still deserves a spot in your DS collection — whether you’re a die-hard fan or just someone who enjoys a good action video game.
Overview of the Naruto Video Game Series
Before diving deeper into Ninja Council 3, it’s worth understanding the Naruto video game series as a whole. Over the years, we’ve seen Naruto games morph from pixelated Game Boy Advance adventures to cinematic PlayStation epics like Ultimate Ninja Storm. The anime-based gameplay formula changes depending on the platform — but the heart of it is always the same: you step into the sandals of a shinobi, master character abilities, and face off in a mix of boss battles and mission-driven stages.
What makes Ninja Council 3 stand out is its balance. It’s not just combat, and it’s not just platforming — it blends unlockable missions, jutsu mechanics, and even bits of exploration to make each stage feel like its own challenge.
Why Naruto: Ninja Council 3 is a DS Exclusive Gem
When I say “DS exclusive,” I don’t just mean “you can only play it on the DS” — I mean this game feels like it was built for the DS. The touchscreen controls aren’t just a gimmick. You can actually draw on the screen to trigger certain jutsu, and while it might sound clunky on paper, in practice it makes you feel like you’re really weaving chakra into your attacks.
Pair that with dual-screen storytelling — cutscenes on top, gameplay below — and you’ve got an experience that could only happen on the Nintendo DS game library. It’s also got that nice “pick-up-and-play” pacing: short missions, quick retries, and enough variation in enemies to keep things interesting.
How to Play Naruto: Ninja Council 3 – Step-by-Step Guide
Starting the Story Mode
Your adventure kicks off in the Chūnin Exam arc. Each mission ties back to scenes from the anime, but condensed into playable mission objectives. You’ll start with Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, but by completing certain levels and challenges, you can unlock additional characters like Neji, Rock Lee, and even Gaara.
The story progression is linear, but there’s replay value — you can revisit missions to improve your rank, collect items, and uncover hidden areas. Pro tip: don’t rush through. Some levels hide in-game collectibles in places you won’t find if you’re just running to the exit.
Mastering Jutsu Mechanics
Here’s where Ninja Council 3 shines. Jutsu isn’t just a special attack button — it’s tied to chakra management. To execute them, you’ll either perform a button combo or use the stylus on the touchscreen controls to “draw” the hand signs.
For example, pulling off narutosenkiapk.net Rasengan involves holding down the attack button to charge, then swiping across the bottom screen in a specific pattern. Mess it up, and you waste chakra. Nail it, and you get that sweet anime-style hit effect that makes you grin like an idiot.
Unlockable Missions and Side Quests
While the story mode gameplay is straightforward, the game hides extra side quests and unlockable content for those willing to explore. Some missions require specific characters — meaning you’ll need to replay earlier levels after unlocking them.
Collectibles aren’t just for show, either. Gathering all scrolls or hidden items can open up special challenge stages. These are harder, often involving timed objectives or survival-style waves of enemies.
Multiplayer Ninja Battles
Yes, this game has multiplayer — and it’s local wireless, DS-style. That means you and a friend can face off without needing two copies of the game (a huge win for broke middle-school me back in the day).
The multiplayer isn’t as deep as something like Smash Bros., but it’s fun for quick matches. You’ll choose from your unlocked character roster, pick an arena, and go all-out.
FAQs – Answering the Most Asked Questions
Q1: How do I unlock all characters in Naruto: Ninja Council 3?
A: You’ll unlock most by progressing through story mode, but some require completing hidden missions or achieving high ranks. Gaara, for example, isn’t handed to you — you’ve got to work for him.
Q2: Is Naruto: Ninja Council 3 the best Naruto DS game?
A: Depends who you ask. Some fans prefer the RPG-style Naruto Shippuden: Path of the Ninja, but for pure platformer game action, this is my top pick.
Q3: Can I play it on an emulator?
A: Technically yes — people often search for “Naruto Ninja Council 3 ROM download” — but I recommend hunting down a physical copy if you can. The tactile DS controls are part of the magic.
Q4: Is it connected to Ninja Council 4?
A: Story-wise, no. But mechanically, Ninja Council 4 borrows a lot of this game’s combat mechanics.
Q5: Does it follow the anime exactly?
A: Not exactly — it condenses events and skips filler. It’s an anime adaptation, not a scene-by-scene copy.
Conclusion – Why Naruto: Ninja Council 3 Still Holds Up Today
Nearly two decades later, Naruto: Ninja Council 3 still punches above its weight. It’s fast, colorful, and faithful enough to satisfy fans — but also mechanically solid enough to hook newcomers.
It’s part of the Naruto DS trilogy, nestled in the Naruto franchise, and a proud entry in Bandai Namco’s anime games catalog. Whether you’re replaying it for nostalgia or discovering it for the first time, it’s worth every scroll, kunai, and chakra point you’ll spend.
And trust me — when you finally pull off that perfect Rasengan with the stylus, you’ll remember why handheld games like this are worth keeping around.
