Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections 1.70 Update Adds Uchiha Nanashi as a Free Playable Characterv

The Surprise Version 1.70 Update Brings Nanashi Uchiha Into Battle Along With Balance Changes, Special Challenges and New Events

For a game that has already built one of the largest rosters in the Ultimate Ninja Storm franchise, turning Nanashi into a playable fighter is an interesting move because she was originally connected to the game's special story rather than being one of the franchise's traditional headline characters.

The result is a surprisingly substantial free update that gives both competitive players and longtime Naruto fans something new to explore.

Uchiha Nanashi Is Finally Playable

The biggest attraction in Version 1.70 is Nanashi Uchiha.

Nanashi is not a completely new character to Storm Connections. She already played an important role in the game's original Special Story Mode, where Boruto encounters her through the fictional online game Ninja Heroes.

The original story was designed specifically for Storm Connections and introduced Nanashi alongside the mysterious antagonist Merz. Bandai Namco previously described the story as a new adventure centered around Boruto and the threat of another major conflict in the shinobi world.

Now, Nanashi has moved beyond her story role and joined the playable roster.

The update also adds costumes for the character, giving players additional ways to customize her appearance.

For fans who enjoyed the game's original story, this is more than another roster addition. It allows players to take a character who was previously important mainly because of her narrative role and use her directly in battles.

Version 1.70 Is More Than a Character Update

Although Nanashi is the headline feature, Version 1.70 contains several other changes.

Bandai Namco and the developers have also adjusted the game's combat systems.

One of the most notable changes concerns guard durability.

Guards have been strengthened, making them somewhat harder to break when defending against Ninjutsu and similar attacks. To compensate for that change, damage against guards from dash-based attacks has also been adjusted.

Throw damage has been increased as well.

These changes are designed to influence the rhythm of battles rather than simply making one character stronger or weaker.

That could make Version 1.70 particularly interesting for competitive players because defensive strategies and guard-breaking techniques may now require different timing.

Ninja Dash and Chakra Dash Receive Attention

Movement is another important part of the patch.

The developers have adjusted dash-related guard damage so that breaking an opponent's guard does not become unnecessarily difficult after the increased guard durability.

That includes adjustments affecting Ninja Dash, Chakra Dash and Charged Chakra Dash mechanics.

The goal appears to be maintaining the usefulness of aggressive movement while preventing the new defensive changes from slowing battles down too much.

This is important because Storm Connections depends heavily on fast movement, substitution techniques, chakra management and quick attacks.

If defensive systems become too powerful, matches can become slower and less aggressive.

The update therefore attempts to strengthen guarding without completely removing the offensive tools players use to pressure opponents.

Several Characters Receive Balance Adjustments

Version 1.70 also contains character-specific balance changes.

One example involves Kabuto Yakushi in Sage Mode.

The recovery time for his Ninjutsu 1 and Ninjutsu 2 attacks when used as Support has been increased.

The patch also includes changes affecting Kankuro's different versions.

These changes are part of a larger attempt to improve battle balance across the roster.

With Storm Connections featuring a huge number of playable ninjas, maintaining competitive balance is a difficult task.

A character that performs well in one matchup can become much stronger when combined with specific Support characters or techniques.

That makes regular balance updates particularly important for players who continue competing online.

New Special Challenges Give Players More to Do

Another addition in Version 1.70 is the new Special Challenge mode.

Players can complete different challenges to earn titles.

This gives the update an additional progression system for players who want something beyond standard battles.

Rather than simply adding another character and leaving the rest of the game unchanged, the update provides objectives that can encourage players to return regularly.

The patch also adds new titles and other items that players can earn.

That could be especially useful for players who have already spent a significant amount of time completing the game's existing progression systems.

Ninja World Face-Off and Proficiency Events Return Periodically

Version 1.70 also changes how certain online activities operate.

Ninja World Face-Off and Proficiency Events will now be held periodically.

The Ninja World Face-Off mode also introduces Wanted Poster Players.

This adds another reason for players to check back into the game instead of treating the update as a one-time download.

For an established fighting game, recurring activities can help maintain an active online player base.

The system also gives players more opportunities to work toward progression and earn additional rewards.

Proficiency Level Cap Increased to 130

Players who have already invested heavily in Storm Connections also receive a progression increase.

The maximum Proficiency Level has been raised to 130.

The higher cap gives experienced players another long-term target.

Proficiency progression is particularly useful for players who want to demonstrate how much they have played with different characters and systems.

Increasing the cap therefore fits naturally with the new events and Special Challenge mode.

Instead of ending progression at the previous ceiling, Version 1.70 gives dedicated players more room to continue building their profiles.

The Update Is Free

One of the most important aspects of the Nanashi addition is that the character is being added through a free update.

Players do not need to purchase a separate DLC character pack to access the new fighter.

The Version 1.70 update is available across the game's supported platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.

That makes the update particularly appealing for returning players.

Someone who has not played Storm Connections recently can download the latest version and immediately have new content to investigate without buying an expansion.

It also helps keep the online player base together because a major new character is not separated behind another paid purchase.

Why Nanashi Is an Interesting Choice

Storm Connections already has an enormous roster, so adding another familiar Naruto or Boruto character would not necessarily have been surprising.

Nanashi is different.

She is strongly connected to the game's own original story.

That means Version 1.70 gives players a reason to revisit content that was created specifically for Storm Connections.

The game's Special Story Mode introduced Nanashi as part of Boruto's adventure inside the Ninja Heroes storyline. Bandai Namco's original material established her as one of the central original characters created for the game's story.

Making her playable effectively connects the game's narrative and battle content more closely.

Players who remember her from the story can now explore how her abilities translate into the game's fast-paced combat.

What the Update Means for Storm Connections

Version 1.70 is a useful reminder that Storm Connections is still receiving meaningful support.

The game originally launched with an exceptionally large roster and combined classic Naruto and Naruto Shippuden moments with Boruto-era content. Its Special Story Mode also introduced original characters and a separate storyline.

The latest update builds on that foundation rather than simply adding cosmetic content.

A new playable character, balance adjustments, recurring events, progression changes and a new challenge mode provide several different reasons for players to return.

For competitive players, the balance changes may be the most important part.

For story fans, Nanashi is the headline.

And for completionists, the new Proficiency cap and challenges offer additional progression.

What Players Should Try First

Players returning after a long break should probably start with Nanashi before diving into competitive matches.

Testing her abilities in practice mode can help players understand how her moves fit into the game's existing combat system.

After that, the new Special Challenges provide an easy way to explore the update while earning additional rewards.

Competitive players should also pay attention to the revised guard mechanics.

The increased guard durability and changes to dash-related guard damage could alter familiar strategies.

That means old approaches may not work exactly the same way after Version 1.70.

Conclusion

Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections has received one of its more interesting updates with Version 1.70.

The biggest addition is Uchiha Nanashi, who has gone from an original story character to a fully playable fighter.

But the update is much larger than the new character.

Players also receive battle balance changes, improved guard mechanics, new Special Challenges, recurring Ninja World Face-Off and Proficiency Events, additional titles and items, and a Proficiency Level cap increased to 130.

Most importantly, Nanashi is available through the free update.

For longtime Storm Connections players, this provides a new character to master and fresh progression to chase. For Naruto fans who stopped playing earlier, Version 1.70 could be a good reason to return and see how the game has evolved.

The update does not reinvent Storm Connections, but it adds enough meaningful content to make August 2026 an interesting time to jump back into the ninja arena.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is new in Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections Version 1.70?

The update adds Uchiha Nanashi as a playable character, new costumes, Special Challenges, recurring events, additional titles and items, and various combat balance adjustments.