when this game was released by cyberconnect 2 they had already decided to add transformations like any other naruto game. after ninja heroes 1 was released cyberconnect 2 already had some plans for ninja heroes 2 and by then ultimate ninja*3 wasn't released in japan or america. also please note that namcobandai only translates the japanese version of the game and the voice actors of the japanese version gets replaced by the american voice actor/actress but the game detail stays there. I also know that in ultimate ninj 2 they kept out the clash in the land of snow part beacuse release date arguements if it had been released a bit later in june or early july then they'd have land of snow arc.