When animated series are successful enough, video game developers and publishers will try to cash in and create games that fans of the series will enjoy. While many of these games can fall under the shovelware umbrella, a few attempts stand out as truly entertaining and worthwhile endeavors.

This week’s installment of Important Importables is devoted to the best of the best, the anime games that were so good, even people who are unfamiliar with the original series seek them out. A few of them may seem incredibly familiar, as they even received worldwide releases. Rest assured though, the following 10 games and series are so good, you’ll enjoy them even if you’ve never even heard of the animes they’re based on.

PS3 Naruto fans are in for a treat – Namco Bandai has just announced that it will be releasing free downloadable content (dlc) for Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm from November, 2008 until March, 2009. Talk about adding on replay value. Each dlc update will include a new support character and a new single player mission.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm is scheduled to come out on November 4, 2008 in North America, November 7, 2008 in Europe and November 20, 2008 in Australia. The North American release will be available in a standard $59.99 verison, and a limited edition for $69.99. A preorder deal is available through GameStop and GameCrazy, where two different storm packs, with either the First Hokage with a mission or the Second Hokage with a different mission, will be able to be unlocked.

The schedule for free Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm downloadable content is as follows…

If you’re psyched about the upcoming Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, which won’t be out for the PS3 until Fall 2008, then there are some ways to get ninja fixes for free. Namco Bandai is going to be showing off the fighting game at some special events and will be releasing a free demo of the game through the Playstation Network.

People who happen to live in California may be fortunate enough to attend events where Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm will be appearing. The game will be at the July 3-6, 2008 Anime Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center and at the July 23-27 Comic-Con at the San Diego Convention Center. The game will be available for play there, and a tournament will be held where players can face-off for the chance to win stuff.

Click through for information on the free demo…