The presentation also runs into a few problems. While the game features comprehensive (and sometimes imaginative) character design by Bleach creator Tite Kubo and a few interesting backdrops, the whole thing looks fuzzy. The Bleach game for the Nintendo DS, the Treasure-developed Blade of Fate, has more in its visual package than this. Furthermore, the charged-up Bankai super-attacks don't show any variety whatsoever – they're merely the same animations over and over again. As for sound, the voice cast from the TV show does first-class work, as they fill their roles respectively. The music's not bad either. However, the characters grunt with every attack and that quickly gets annoying.

What keeps this Blade from losing its edge is its simple, clear-cut gameplay. Rather than slap together a fighting system made up of random hack and slash movements, you dodge incoming attacks and move around with the analog stick on the Nunchuk while performing general combat maneuvers with the Wii remote. Heave the remote upward and you achieve an effective upward slash. Move your arm downward and your character swings down. Quick jabs and other moves are chainable into combos, which build Zanpaku-to energy to activate the more powerful Bankai attacks. The game also has an entertaining Versus mode, as you brawl against friends with thirty-plus fighters to select from. It's just a shame that Sega didn't consider online matchmaking options against Wii owners across the globe.

Although Bleach: Shattered Blade probably won't go down as one of the best anime games ever, it at least avoids the pratfalls of being the worst. Sure, the graphics could've been better and the audio less repetitive. Yes, the mode selection is minimal at best. However, the gameplay is fun and easy to get into, making it an ideal must-have for fans of the show and a solid rental for everyone else.