What came of Viewtiful Joe could possibly be described as one of Capcom's finest outings in quite a while, and certainly a giant redeemer for the GCN. I can almost assuredly say this game is the best since Super Smash Bros. Melee.
The game takes something away from SSBM's formula - the game feels and plays like the Adventure mode of old from Melee and strings it out. Of course, the battles are much more interesting and frequent, but this game does feel like Melee at times. And that is certainly a good thing.
While the graphics may not blow you away, they certainly fit the game well (notice the "bad editing" of the screen when Viewtiful Joe turns into Average Joe) and are a major draw. The sound is quite good, as well; the effects are non-intrusive, and the voice acting is surprisingly good (albeit a bit quiet sometimes).
Where this game truly shines is in the different "modes": Mach, Slow, & Zoom. Each adds a different element to both the fighting and puzzle systems of the game. They can aid you greatly in the battle, and nothing is more satisfying than kicking a boss's rump using both Zoom and Slow; my, oh my.
The "shop" system also encourages the combos created by the aforementioned skills, and adds a nice touch to the game. Certainly, collecting "V-Points" as they are called should be a priority, and the grading system throughout the different scenes of the stages give it just that much more depth.
And, of course, the bosses are quite exhilirating. Some of the bosses can be quite difficult, and quite annoying. Yet, they are all fun. And entertaining (that shark, oh my, he is dumb).
All in all, this is THE must-buy for the quarter for any GCN owner. Anyone who has ever liked platforming or fighting (which should be most of us) will find something to shout about in this game. The fighting works, the level designs work, and the forumlas work. This game shines on every aspect, and consider it your next purchase on the GCN list.
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