Fighting games are a rarity on the Nintendo DS, despite the fact that it seems an ideal platform. The D-pad of the DS is one of the friendliest among all consoles, and the touchscreen can add a lot of new elements to a fighting game. So while there have been Ultimate Mortal Kombat and Guilty Gear Dust Strikers on the DS, they were merely recreations of their previous alterations.
Bleach on the other hand is not only one of the finest ways to put anime on a handheld console, it's also a brilliant and original fighting game.
The story is taken straight from the first story arc of the animated TV show – the part where the Shinigami Kuchiki Rukia is captured back to Soul Society for execution, and Kurosaki Ichigo heads there with his friends, fighting everyone who stands in his way until he finally faces off against Kuchiki Byakuya.
But this one's only the beginning. Each character in the roster has his or her own particular story mode. Completing them all not only gets you familiar with all the characters, but also gives you enough practice with them so you can be prepared when you face off against your mates later.
Fighting consists of two modes: manual and auto. The former uses a combination of D-pad maneuvers and button presses to pull off special moves. Noobs can go with the auto mode, which gives all the special moves on the touchscreen as buttons for easy access. The auto mode is a convenient technique and even though you'd beat the story mode in no time, you'd probably not enjoy the game as much.
That said, having an auto mode opens the game up to inexperienced players who tend to be a bit phobic about taking on someone who's already mastered the controls. In that way the game will definitely open the game to a much wider audience.
For anyone interested in picking this up, the sequel, Bleach: Dark Souls, will be released momentarily. It boasts some new characters and game balances, and a much more interesting single-player mode. Get Blade of Fate only if you find it cheap.
