Viewtiful Joe

The Basics:
Platform: Nintendo GameCube
Developer: Capcom
Price: $40-50
ESRB rating: T-Teen (13+)

Summary: Viewtiful Joe infuses comic book storytelling with high-octane action. As the hero, you are Joe, an average guy with a passion for superhero movies and your girlfriend Sylvia. But one day, fiction becomes reality as Sylvia is kidnapped and pulled through the movie screen into a different reality. Leaping to her rescue, you are pulled into the movie as well. Saving her will not be easy, but you are aided by the training of Joe's favorite hero, Captain Blue, who encourages you to fight for justice and good.

Note: Although this is a popular game and fun-to-play game, parents should be aware of the significant amounts of violence and the suggestive material contained in the game. Background images on some levels include ads for XXX shows etc.

Further Breakdown:

Overall rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Best for ages: 13+
Playability: Very Good
Graphics: Unique in style and well done
Entertainment value: Very Good
Educational value: Minimal
Reading Level: 5+
KidScore Rating

Ages 3-7: Red
Ages 8-12: Red
Ages 13-17: Yellow
Violence Amount: Yellow
Fear: Yellow
Illegal/harmful: Green
Language: Green
Nudity: Yellow
Sex: Yellow

Review:
Viewtiful Joe infuses comic book storytelling with high-octane action. As the hero, you are Joe, an average guy with a passion for superhero movies and your girlfriend Sylvia. But one day, fiction becomes reality as Sylvia is kidnapped and pulled through the movie screen into a different reality. Leaping to her rescue, you are pulled into the movie as well. Saving her will not be easy, but you are aided by the training of Joe's favorite hero, Captain Blue, who encourages you to fight for justice and good.

As you progress through the early levels of the game, Captain Blue helps you develop your superhuman powers, called "VFX" power. Slow down and speed up time to deliver powerful combinations against your enemies. And there are a lot of enemies-battles become more and more intense as the game develops. Later levels have non-stop button mashing as one enemy after the next comes after you. Although the game does utilize puzzles and has some unique ways of involving combat into solving these puzzles, there is a significant amount of fighting. The enemies are distinctly not human, and blood is not a factor. Instead, most enemies appear as half-built robotic creatures. As they are attacked they begin to disintegrate into different parts and pieces. In a way this could be a little disturbing, but it isn't as raw as blood and guts.

One aspect that parents may want to watch out for is the almost sub-conscious suggestive themes that can be found in the game. The game starts with some very minor suggestive material as Joe and his girlfriend are at the cinema, but more concern rests with later levels. In the background of the second level are advertisements for strippers and XXX clubs. Nearly topless women are presented on billboards. Granted, it is in the background-but is still noticeable. Possibly the game designers wanted to make this part of the game appear more "seedy" for the atmosphere of the game, or they were hoping to appeal to an older audience. Either way, kids can't help but notice it.

On a technical level Viewtiful Joe is inventive and classy. Blending a unique style of animation, along with a great sound track, Joe looks good and plays well. However, at times the strobe-like flashing effects and the style of the animation may be difficult to watch-parents will definitely want to read the precautions listed for players prone to seizures. The game controls are well thought out and are easy to learn. In addition, the game employs "in game" tutorials that allow players to learn the controls as they play.

Viewtiful Joe has won a lot of accolades from gaming magazines, and is being billed as one of the must-have games for the Nintendo GameCube. Without a doubt, the game has a lot of things going for it, with good looks, great sound, and engaging action. Nonetheless, parents should be aware of the amounts of violence and the suggestive material contained in the game.