Viewtiful Joe

Viewtiful Joe is a video game series developed by Clover Studio of Capcom. The first game was developed exclusively for the GameCube in 2003 amd was part of the Capcom Five, but was later ported to the PlayStation 2 in 2004 after Nintendo made a deal with Capcom to make Resident Evil 4 a GameCube exclusive. The Japanese PlayStation 2 release is titled Viewtiful Joe: A New Hope (a reference to the movie Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope). Viewtiful Joe 2 was released for both the GameCube and PlayStation 2 in November 2004. An anime version of the game is currently airing on the Japanese television station TV Tokyo and has been licensed for US distribution by Geneon.

While Joe and his girlfriend Silvia are watching a henshin drama during a date, Silvia is kidnapped by the movie's antagonist and taken into the world of the movies, Movieland. Joe is able to follow Silvia after being picked up and taken into Movieland by Captain Blue, the movie's protagonist, who has taken the form of a giant robot. Inside the movie, Joe must rescue Silvia from the evil Jadow, the game's network of villains. To help him, Captain Blue entrusts him with a V-Watch, telling Joe to transform into Viewtiful Joe upon saying "Henshin", but Joe made it into his personal catchphrase, "Henshin a go-go, baby!"

Gameplay

Viewtiful Joe's gameplay is very unique and draws inspiration from classic side-scrolling brawlers such as River City Ransom and Double Dragon. Joe has three 'VFX' {Visual Effects} powers, which are designed to emulate camera tricks seen in movies such as The Matrix:

• Slow causes Joe's attacks to be more powerful, as well as increasing his reflexes and giving him the ability to dodge most attacks.
• Mach speed allows Joe to run at incredible speed and can cause his attacks to light a foe on fire.
• Zoom gives Joe access to a new group of attacks and will power up his normal attacks.

All of these are used in combat and to solve the game's puzzles. Two of Joe's attack powers can be used at the same time, either Slow and Zoom or Mach Speed and Zoom. One of the most powerful attacks in the game is done by enabling Slow-Mo and Zooming and then punching your enemy. All of the VFX powers are required to get past at least one area in the game. Joe has a VFX meter which empties as he uses his powers. If it runs out, Joe reverts to his normal state until the first bar of the meter refills. In his normal state, Joe takes double damage, has weaker attacks, and loses the double jump ability.

Cast

• Joe: The hero, a superhero fanboy who gets to live his dream as Viewtiful Joe while he saves Silvia from the Jadow.
• Silvia: The heroine, she was abducted by the Jadow for their evil plan to succeed. She teams up with Joe in the sequel.
• Captain Blue: Joe's idol and guru. He gave Joe the V-Watch which enables him to use his VFX powers.
• Alastor: An agent of the Jadow, code-name "Black Thunder". He considers himself Joe's rival. Is somewhat of a cameo from Devil May Cry
• Charles the 3rd: A bat-like agent of the Jadow, codenamed "Dark Fiend".
• Hulk Davidson: A dino-like agent of the Jadow, codenamed "Iron Ogre". He scarred Capt. Blue during previous battle they had. Wields a Battle axe.
• Gran Bruce: A shark-like agent of the Jadow, codenamed "Aquatic Terror". Never finishes his sentences.

Playable characters

In addition to Joe, the game has several other playable characters:

• Silvia – Unlocked by clearing Adult mode. She is the fastest runner in the game but takes double damage when hit.
• Alastor – Unlocked by clearing V-Rated mode. He has the strongest attacks in the game, he has the ability to double jump in normal mode, and can use all of the VFX powers with depleting his meter. However, being in Viewtiful mode causes an auto drain effect on his meter.
• Captain Blue – Unlocked by clearing Ultra V-Rated mode. He has the highest single jump in the game but he doesn't have a double jump. He also has the ability to fly for short periods of time, but he cannot see the skulls that indicate where an enemy is going to attack.
• Dante – Unlocked only in PlayStation 2 version by playing any mode.

Sequels and re-releases

• Viewtiful Joe. PlayStation 2 re-release has a new playable character: Dante.
• Viewtiful Joe 2. Released for both PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube.
• Viewtiful Joe has also been announced for the PlayStation Portable and the Nintendo DS.

See also

• Devil May Cry
• Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening