Bleach: The Blade of Fate (2006). Play online

Summary

Bleach: The Blade of Fate brings the high‑octane spirit of the series to the DS, letting you pick from 28 heroes and master their Bankai, Zanpakuto, and flashy RF moves. The game’s two‑plane arenas let you dodge between foreground and background while the touch‑screen fires off special attacks, creating a feel that’s both classic treasure‑style and uniquely handheld.

Four‑player battles are a core hook; up to three friends can join via Nintendo’s Wi‑Fi or local DS Wireless, each controlling an ally or opponent in any team mix. The anti‑air system, an addition over its Japanese counterpart, means ground‑based strikes can’t be blocked while airborne, opening fresh trap combos.

Critics responded favorably: Metacritic aggregates praise, Famitsu scored it 31/40, and IGN crowned it Best Fighting Game of 2007. Its opening theme, "Ichirin no Hana" by High and Mighty Color, rounds out the experience and underscores the game’s blend of anime flair and tactical fighting.

Storyline

Bleach: The Blade of Fate follows Ichigo Kurosaki as he races to rescue Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki, who faces execution for handing him her powers so he could protect his family from a Hollow. The game’s story mode puts the player through Ichigo’s desperate quest, emphasizing the stakes of Rukia’s impending death.

Each playable character receives a distinct story mode, and after completing the initial Rescue Rukia segment, an additional 22 episodes become unlockable. A 23rd episode expands the narrative to the Soul Society arc, beginning with Ichigo’s clash against Ganju Shiba and culminating in Sousuke Aizen’s betrayal.