GameCube Viewtiful once again

One of last year's top-rated GameCube titles was the surreal, cel-shaded beat-'em-up Viewtiful Joe. The game's high praise and financial success guaranteed a sequel, and today Capcom shipped it. Unlike the first Joe, the self-developed follow-up will be released for both the PlayStation 2 and GameCube around the same time. (The original VJ PS2 came nearly a year after the original.) However, Capcom is giving the GameCube title a two-week head start on its PS2 cousin. Both Games are rated "T" for Teen and will retail for $39.99.

Viewtiful Joe 2 picks up where its forebear left off by following Joe, a regular guy who has a superhero alter ego. Along with his girlfriend Silvia, who is now a superheroine that is playable from the beginning of the game, Joe will battle more than 40 new types of enemies in several new environments, including a jungle, underground ruins, ancient Japan, snowy mountains, and outer space. The caped hero will also receive a new VFX power, "Replay," which will let him triple the effect of attacks or power-ups.

If you need more information immediately on Viewtiful Joe 2, bust on over to our previous coverage. However, for a complete rundown on this hotly anticipated sequel, GameSpot's full review of the game is due tomorrow.