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WiiNintendo (along with a few other gaming outlets) were invited to a phone conference with Laura Yoshioka, Director, Consumer Software at Tomy Corporation and Glenn Stotz, Product Specialist at Tomy Corporation.

WN: What have the devlopers learned from the first “Path of the Ninja” to make this game better?
TOMY: Path of the Ninja 2 was originally developed for the DS [oppose to the first one being a GBA port] and we we’re able to take full advantage of the DS technology. There is also more space, so there is 30 characters now, each character is really fleshed out, its got full battle and action sequences. Everything is very fine tuned to work with the DS.

WN: Any plans to bring Path of the Ninja 2 to other consoles?
TOMY: We really think that the Nintendo DS is the best platform for RPG’s, so as of right now that’s all we’re working on.

WN: What are some concrete story details?
TOMY: A group upset Rouge Ninja’s want to release an ancient beast from its bindings and by doing so they poison the area around the beast, so it’s up to Naruto and all the characters to stop the poison and defeat the enemy. What’s really nice about this story is that it’s very close to the television series, but it’s completely original.

WN: What is the soundtrack like?
TOMY: We try to keep the action packed sound found in the TV series in the game. During battle sequences we feel the soundtrack encapsulates what Naruto is all about and we’re happy with it.

WN: Will each of the 30 characters mentioned in the press release be playable?
TOMY: Yes, you’ll be able to play with 30 characters, but only 20 on one game save. This is because you have to choose between characters at the end of the story.

WN: What does the DS touch screen do?
TOMY: You can move your character around with it, explore, during battle you can use the stylus to make your attacks more effective, also if you substitute during an attack there is a small window to use your stylus to avoid damage.

WN: What is the new squad leader and ninja attack system?
TOMY: The squad leader is one of the four of your group, each squad leader has a “leader bonus”, like healing, strength. Each character has a “ninja attribute”, which you collect through out the game. The ninja attack system uses these attributes resist jutsu, use multi shot jutsu, instant shot with shadow clones in battle, tons more and completely customizable.

WN: What makes Path of the Ninja 2 different from all the other RPGs?
TOMY: With all the battle and strategic elements it’s like a game of chess. Not only do you have to know what to do while in battle you have to know how to prepare for battle. Also, with Wi-Fi, the original story, new locations, all the new different kinds of jutsu, you need to prepare more.

WN: Does Wi-Fi have co-op play?
TOMY: No, it’s your 4 man squad vs. another 4 man squad

WN: How many game play hours does this game take?
TOMY: It’s not easy to quantify. The story mode is all new, so it’s not something you can just walk through. Because it’s new, Naruto fans and new comers will have to find out where to go next. Also, with the Wi-Fi it can essentially last forever.

WN: Is Path of the Ninja 2 a direct localization of Naruto RPG 3? Are there plans to bring RPG 2 to North America?
TOMY: Yes, it’s a straight localization of Naruto RPG 3. There are no plans to develop Naruto RPG 2.

WN: One average, how many jutsu’s will each character have?
TOMY: About 10, but with the ninja attack system you can really customize it anyway you want.

WN: Do you think path of the ninja 2 will appeal to non Naruto fans and why?
TOMY: Yeah, definitely. The strategy and battle system are immense and really fun. Also, because the characters are so accessible it’s really fun to find out who you’re favorite characters are. If you’re not a fan you really get a sense of each characters uniqueness.

WN: Do you think path of the ninja 2 will appeal to non Naruto fans and why?
TOMY: Yeah, definitely. The strategy and battle system are immense and really fun. Also, because the characters are so accessible it’s really fun to find out who you’re favorite characters are. If you’re not a fan you really get a sense of each characters uniqueness.

WN: How was this new story developed? Was it written by the original creators of the series or was it written by game developers?
TOMY: It was written by a freelance writer from Japan, he is very close to the Naruto story and we’ve used him on a number of projects. It’s still very true to the Naruto experience.

WN: With Wi-Fi battle, do you need friend codes?
TOMY: Yeah, there is friend codes, match making, and random match making.

WN: Can you play against Japanese gamers with Naruto RPG3 or European gamers when Path of the Ninja is released there?
TOMY: Not at this point, we’re just managing the North American region.

WN: Will there be a demo available, either through a download station or the Wii’s Nintendo channel?
TOMY: At this point it’s not confirmed, but there are game share demos built into the game will be a big part of that.

WN: What was the reason to skip over the Naruto RPG 2 localization and just bring RPG 3 to N. America?
TOMY: I think it’s just the relevance to the storyline. At this point in time people who watch the TV show are already past what happens in RPG 2. I think what’s apparent to us is that American Naruto fans operate on a different level compared to Japanese fans where they have access to books and the show as soon as it comes out. American fans are already privy to what’s going on and I think having an original storyline is sort of exciting most people again, especially Naruto fans.

WN: Are there statistic tracking utilities built into Wi-Fi, like wins/loses? Also, will you be able to bring your characters (say at level 100) directly into Wi-Fi or do you start at with a level playing field
TOMY: We’re still trying to figure the details on those, we’re working with Nintendo on that one right now.

Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2, press release (PDF)

Release Date: September, 2008

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