Due for release early next month, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) has finally given Namco Bandai Games and CyberConnect2's upcoming Naruto fighting game, Naruto Storm 3, a rating—tagging it a T for Teen in North America.
The ESRB is responsible for determining the age rating for games released in retail, which brick and mortar retailers largely abide by on a voluntary basis. Although the ratings are not enforced by law, they exist as a self-enforced industry standard and also serve as a purchasing guide for parents.
Here's what the ESRB has to say about Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3:
"This is an action-fighting game in which players engage in one-on-one battles against characters from the Naruto Shippuden franchise. Characters punch, kick, and use special moves (e.g., fireballs, swords, throwing weapons) to drain opponents’ life meters. Small blood-splatter effects occur when characters strike opponents with bladed weapons. One scene depicts a character slashing at a non-adversary and an enemy during a standoff; another cutscenes depicts two characters impaled on a creature’s claw—blood appears on the claw as well as the characters’ mouths."
It appears that the game isn't entirely blood-free as the anime usually is. The "blood splatter", notes Saiyanisland, could simply be referencing Hanzo's ultimate jutsu rather than an something you'd expect from Mortal Kombat.
Naruto Storm 3 is the fourth entry in the fighting game series and it's set for release on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on March 5 in North America. Europe and Australia will get it a few days later on March 8.