Viewtiful Joe VFX Battle E3 2005 Preshow Report

Capcom has officially announced Viewtiful Joe VFX Battle for the GameCube and PSP systems. VFX Battle will be the first game in the series to introduce competitive gameplay into the cel-shaded beat-'em-up franchise. The game will retain its 2D, side-scrolling look, but it will also include interactive environments, where players will be able to use enemies and background elements to attack. Characters from the previous games in the series, as well as some from the anime, will make appearances in VFX Battle. These include Sylvia, Alastor, Captain Blue Junior, and Sprocket, who has an icy stare that can halt opponents in their tracks.

The storyline of VFX Battle involves production on Captain Blue's newest movie. He's having a tough time deciding on the star of the show, so the various characters will fight one another for the honors. As far as gameplay modes, the campaign can be played with just one player, or two players can work together cooperatively. There will also be a head-to-head versus mode, which implies the game will be limited to two-player fights. The PSP version will also include some additional content, but as of press time, no details were available.

Viewtiful Joe VFX Battle is currently scheduled to ship in North America this winter for both the GameCube and PSP. Keep your eye on GameSpot for further details as they develop.