Following Naruto Online (entering official launch on 8 May), Tencent Games officially revealed Naruto Mobile for the China gamers. Officially licensed from Shueisha, the Japanese IP owner, Naruto Mobile will enter its first limited test on 15 April, with a launch scheduled later this year. A side-scroll action mobile game, it was mentioned that players will be able to play as all different characters.
Even thought Naruto Online works pretty well as a turn-based browser game, I am glad the mobile version did not go down the same route. Tencent actually holds the IP rights to almost everything Naruto now in China, including merchandise, games, movies, stage shows, musicals and manga, and will be holding a “Naruto Birthday Party” soon to attract all China fans to gather.