With the d-pad, players can use preset items during a match that either damage the opponent or provide various status effects like increasing attack power, or lowering the opponent's defense. A few of the characters in the game gain entirely new movesets after transforming. Once activated, the character gains new abilities, speed, and stronger attacks. The health requirement for each character differs based on how powerful the transformation is.
One of the new features introduced to the series in Ultimate Ninja Storm is 'Awakening Mode', a transformation that can be activated when a player loses a certain amount of health during a match. However, Ultimate Ninja Storm allows players to fight in three-dimensional environments, as opposed to the two-dimensional planes in previous games. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm retains many of the gameplay elements from earlier installments of the Ultimate Ninja series. See also: Naruto: Ultimate Ninja § Gameplay
