Viewtiful Joe E3 2003 Preshow Report

While it's been confirmed as a Japanese release for quite some time, Viewtiful Joe has finally been announced for North American release. The GameCube title is currently scheduled to come to the US later this year.

Viewtiful Joe tells the story of an average, everyday man named Joe and his girlfriend, Sylvia. One day, when catching a Captain Blue film down at the local movie theater, Sylvia is warped into the movie world and captured. Joe naturally follows, and earns superhero powers along the way. The game's powers are very cinematic in nature, such as the ability to slow down time and dodge bullets, perform quick zooms for effect, and use a speed-up technique called mach speed that gives Joe the ability to attack very quickly. Use of these overpowering special techniques is governed by a special move meter that extends as you play and refills slowly when it's not being used.

Viewtiful Joe takes a very stylistic approach to its presentation, bringing together cel-shaded polygonal graphics and classic 2D side-scrolling gameplay. The game also conveys its effects nicely, right down to comic-book-style explosions and general flashiness.

Viewtiful Joe is currently scheduled for North American release in October.