Tomy Corporation and D3PA have announced the upcoming release of Naruto: Path of the Ninja (working title) exclusively for the Nintendo DS. Anticipated to ship in the Spring, Path of the Ninja will be the first Western RPG for Naruto and will offer original content and scenarios that have never been seen before.

Based on episodes from Viz Media’s hit anime series Shonen Jump Naruto, the new game will feature a time based combat system in which players must determine each character's strengths and use them accurately to help them defeat the enemy.

“The Naruto RPG games have proven to be very popular in Japan,” said Mark Shinohara, executive vice president, Tomy Corporation. “The upcoming RPG title... will bring a completely new style of gameplay to Naruto games, and the fans will love it!”

“Some of the best elements from all the Japanese NARUTO RPG releases will be utilized to create an exclusive and unique game that no one has ever seen,” said Careen Yapp, vice president of licensing and business development, D3PA.

Choosing from six available characters, players will be able to explore the Village Hidden in the Leaves and the world of Naruto as they roam across forests, fields, rivers and mountains. Along the way players will encounter bosses and enemies against which they must use their special techniques for victory.