Viewtiful Joe Review | A PS2 & GameCube Forgotten Gem

Viewtiful Joe is a beat ’em up platformer from Capcom. This video game was released for Nintendo GameCube in 2003 and PlayStation 2 in 2004.

Viewtiful Joe has become a hidden gem because Capcom has forgotten about it! Forgotten gem is maybe the better phrase to call it as no HD Remaster or Remake has ever been released.

I became reintroduced to Viewtiful Joe when I recently went through a retro video game haul -- "unboxing" the first bin of a stash of many PS2, GameCube, and original Xbox games that had been in storage for years (Blog & Video if you're interested). I decided to try out Viewtiful Joe over the other games in that pile because completion time was only around 8 hours, plus, it just seemed cool.

The game plays out more than just running from A to B to C with a boss at the end. There is platforming, puzzle-solving, and even some light Metroidvania-esq backtracking. Not to mention the unique combo system that includes both a button to slow down the action and one to speed it up.

Viewtiful Joe has a lot to offer. Multiple characters to unlock; including Dante from Devil May Cry! These aren't just palette swaps either, every unlockable character includes their own: playstyle, moves, and abilities, and shop unlocks.

My full review and thoughts as well as some similar games (I probably should have included PlatinumGames) are in a video review I created -- posted above.

I have to give Viewtiful Joe a 5 out of 5.

I had a ton of fun with Viewtiful Joe while working on this review. Honestly, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this forgotten beat ‘em up platformer. It’s so good that I’m torn about going into Viewtiful Joe 2 or seeing how I fare on higher difficulties/giving Dante a whirl.

I'm curious if anyone else has played Viewtiful Joe and if there are other beat 'em up style games I should check out? All feedback on my review video is welcome as well.

Originally taken from my blog, Current Kick - please stop by!