:Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble
{{Short description|2005 video game}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2009}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = RedHotRumble.jpg
| caption = North American GameCube box art
| developer = Clover Studio
| publisher = Capcom
| director = Masaaki Yamada
| producer = Atsushi Inaba
| designer = Ryo Fujii
Yuichi Niijima
| composer = Mizuhata Shuichi
Naoto Tanaka
| series = Viewtiful Joe
| released = {{Collapsible list|titlestyle=font-weight:normal;font-size:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left|title=September 29, 2005|GameCube{{vgrelease|JP|September 29, 2005{{cite web | author=IGN staff | date=July 18, 2005 | title=Japanese Release Dates | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/18/japanese-release-dates | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815224511/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/18/japanese-release-dates | archive-date=August 15, 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=December 18, 2024}}|NA|November 8, 2005{{cite web | author=Bloodworth, Daniel | date=November 8, 2005 | title=Two Viewtiful Joe Titles Ship | url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/pr/10929/two-viewtiful-joe-titles-ship | website=Nintendo World Report | publisher=NINWR, LLC | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901015532/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/pr/10929/two-viewtiful-joe-titles-ship | archive-date=September 1, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=December 18, 2024}}|EU|February 24, 2006{{cite web | date=December 5, 2005 | title=Nintendo - Press Release: It's Lights, Camera, Action as Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble Battles Its Way | url=http://www.gamershell.com/companies/nintendo/265917.html | website=GamersHell | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510201413/http://www.gamershell.com/companies/nintendo/265917.html | archive-date=May 10, 2007 | url-status=dead | access-date=December 18, 2024}}|AU|March 10, 2006}}PlayStation Portable{{vgrelease|NA|March 22, 2006|JP|March 23, 2006|PAL|May 26, 2006{{cite web | url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000EYCEME |title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble (PSP): PC & Video Games | website=Amazon UK | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605161927/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000EYCEME | archive-date=June 5, 2016 | url-status=live | access-date=December 18, 2024}}}}}}
| genre = Fighting, beat 'em up
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = {{cslist|GameCube|PlayStation Portable}}
}}
Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble, known in Japan as {{nihongo foot|Viewtiful Joe: Battle Carnival,|ビューティフル ジョー バトルカーニバル|Byūtifuru Jō Batoru Kānibaru|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a video game released by Capcom in 2005 for the GameCube and the PlayStation Portable. It combines platform fighter and beat 'em up gameplay, and features characters and elements from the Viewtiful Joe video game series and its accompanying animated series.
Plot
Captain Blue is working on his latest film, and decides to hold a battle tournament between those who are auditioning to determine who will get the lead role. As the tournament progresses, the cast begins noticing unauthorized equipment appearing unexpectedly and strange occurrences on set that put them in danger. At the tournament's conclusion, Rachel is possessed by spirits housed within the film equipment, which have been attempting to sabotage the film and eliminate the actors, and merges with the film equipment to become the ghostlike creature Tsukumo. The heroes defeat Tsukumo, turning Rachel back to normal, and the spirits lament through her that they only wanted to star in the movie instead of always being stuck behind the scenes. Joe and the others remind the equipment how important they are to the film's production, pleasing and reassuring them. To everyone's surprise, Captain Blue decides to make Tsukumo the hero of his next film.
Development
The game was originally announced under the title Viewtiful Joe: VFX Battle, and early rumors stated that it was to be released for the PlayStation 2, before the confusion was cleared up due to a translation error.{{cite web | author=Dunham, Jeremy | date=April 6, 2005 | title=A Viewtiful Return | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/04/07/a-viewtiful-return | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218165601/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/04/07/a-viewtiful-return | archive-date=December 18, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=December 18, 2024}} Producer Atsushi Inaba noted that the game was inspired heavily by Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Melee. Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble was originally developed as a two-player game rather than a four-player game.{{cite web | author=Morcos, Antoine | date=January 23, 2006 | title=Viewtiful Joe Interview | url=https://www.gamekyo.com/feature244_interview-viewtiful-joe.html | language=fr | website=GameKyo | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605161845/https://www.gamekyo.com/feature244_interview-viewtiful-joe.html | archive-date=June 5, 2016 | url-status=live | access-date=December 18, 2024}} The PlayStation Portable version of the game features Dante from the Devil May Cry series as a playable character, along with several additional costumes based on characters from Devil May Cry and Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble.
In Japan, the game featured a bonus stage set in the offices of V Jump magazine, which published the concurrently-produced Viewtiful Joe manga. In North America, the GameCube version featured in-game advertising promoting the Johnny Rockets restaurant chain.{{cite web | date=October 21, 2005 | title=Johnny Rockets Takes The Bacon Cheddar Challenge With Super Hero Viewtiful Joe | url=https://thefranchisemall.com/news/articles/12391-0.htm | website=The Franchise Mall | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122042051/https://thefranchisemall.com/news/articles/12391-0.htm | archive-date=January 22, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=December 18, 2024}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| align = right
| NGC = true
| PSP = true
| na = true
| MC_NGC = 62/100{{cite web | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble critic reviews (GC) | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/viewtiful-joe-red-hot-rumble/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube | website=Metacritic | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930005040/https://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/viewtiful-joe-red-hot-rumble | archive-date=September 30, 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=December 18, 2024}}
| EGM_NGC = 6.5/10{{cite magazine | author1=Sanders, Kathleen | author2=Ashley, Robert | author3=Chandronait, Matt | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble (GC) | url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/ca/EGM_US_198.pdf | magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=198 | date=December 2005 | page=166 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703110655/https://retrocdn.net/images/c/ca/EGM_US_198.pdf | archive-date=July 3, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=December 19, 2024}}{{efn|Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the GameCube version each a score of 4.5/10, 9/10, and 6/10.}}
| EuroG_NGC = 6/10{{cite web | author=Bramwell, Tom | date=January 3, 2006 | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble (GameCube; US Import) | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-viewtifuljoerhr-gc | website=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628090557/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_viewtifuljoerhr_gc | archive-date=June 28, 2010 | url-status=live | access-date=December 19, 2024}}
| Fam_NGC = 29/40{{cite web | date=September 20, 2005 | title=Famitsu Scores (Viewtiful Joe) | url=https://www.neogaf.com/threads/famitsu-scores-viewtiful-joe.63901/ | website=NeoGAF | publisher=NeoGaf.com, LLC | archive-url=https://archive.today/20241218171309/https://www.neogaf.com/threads/famitsu-scores-viewtiful-joe.63901/ | archive-date=December 18, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=December 18, 2024}}
| GI_NGC = 7/10{{cite magazine | author=Miller, Matt | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble (GC) | url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-152-december-2005/page/179/mode/2up | magazine=Game Informer | publisher=GameStop | issue=152 | date=December 2005 | page=178 | access-date=December 18, 2024}}
| GameRev_NGC = C−{{cite web | author=Fischer, Russ | date=December 6, 2005 | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble Review (GC) | url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/36289-viewtiful-joe-vf-review | website=GameRevolution | publisher=CraveOnline | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921203912/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/viewtiful-joe-vf | archive-date=September 21, 2015 | url-status=live | access-date=December 19, 2024}}
| GSpot_NGC = 6.9/10{{cite web | author=Mueller, Greg | date=November 7, 2005 | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble Review (GC) | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/viewtiful-joe-red-hot-rumble-review/1900-6139336/ | website=GameSpot | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201223431/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/viewtifuljoevfxbattle/review.html | archive-date=December 1, 2005 | url-status=live | access-date=December 18, 2024}}
| GSpy_NGC = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web | author=Guzman, Hector | date=November 11, 2005 | title=GameSpy: Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble (GCN) | url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/viewtiful-joe-vfx-battle/666146p1.html | website=GameSpy | publisher=IGN Entertainment | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070628010910/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/viewtiful-joe-vfx-battle/666146p1.html | archive-date=June 28, 2007 | url-status=live | access-date=December 19, 2024}}
| GT_PSP = 6/10{{cite AV media | author=HJ's Corner | date=March 27, 2023 | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble (Gametrailers Review) (PSP) [April 5, 2006] | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-MvKk4WDdY | website=YouTube | publisher=Google | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/f-MvKk4WDdY | archive-date=December 19, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=December 19, 2024}}
| HCG_NGC = 2.75/5{{cite magazine | author1=Hulegaard, Dave "Shoegazer" | author2=Pavlacka, Adam "Syriel" | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble (GC) | url=https://archive.org/details/hardcore-gamer-magazine-v1i6/page/n31/mode/2up | magazine=Hardcore Gamer | publisher=Prima Games | volume=1 | issue=6 | date=December 2005 | page=62 | access-date=December 19, 2024}}
| NP_NGC = 6.5/10{{cite magazine | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble | magazine=Nintendo Power | publisher=Nintendo of America | volume=199 | date=January 2006 | page=114}}
| OPM_PSP = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble | magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=104 | date=May 2006 | page=92}}
| PG_PSP = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web | author=Sanches, Joao Diniz | date=May 27, 2006 | title=Viewtiful Joe Red Hot Rumble | url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/viewtiful-joe-red-hot-rumble/viewtiful-joe-red-hot-rumble/ | website=Pocket Gamer | publisher=Steel Media Ltd | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722175457/https://www.pocketgamer.com/viewtiful-joe-red-hot-rumble/viewtiful-joe-red-hot-rumble/ | archive-date=July 22, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=December 19, 2024}}
}}
The game received "mixed" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one eight and three sevens for the GameCube version, and one eight, two sevens, and one eight for the PSP version.
Aceinet of GameZone gave the GameCube version 7.2 out of 10, saying, "The game has some amazing graphics and a style that is hard to match. If you've never played a Viewtiful Joe game and you want a quick experience then RHR is a good place to start."{{cite web | author=Aceinet | date=December 1, 2005 | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble – GC – Review | url=https://gamezone.com/reviews/viewtiful_joe_red_hot_rumble_gc_review/ | website=GameZone | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518134647/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r26876.htm | archive-date=May 18, 2009 | url-status=live | access-date=December 19, 2024}} Later, however, John Wrentmore gave the PSP version 7.3 out of 10, calling it "an out-of-control fighter experience never before seen on the PSP, but problems in the game design may confuse and irritate gamers."{{cite web | author=Wrentmore, John | date=April 10, 2006 | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble – PSP – Review | url=https://gamezone.com/reviews/viewtiful_joe_red_hot_rumble_psp_review/ | website=GameZone | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603175555/http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r26876.htm | archive-date=June 3, 2009 | url-status=live | access-date=December 19, 2024}} Edge gave the former console version's Japanese import seven out of ten, saying, "Through the crush of it all, Viewtiful Joe's pedigree for fusing entertainment and quality is clearly visible throughout the chaos, even if it doesn't necessarily shine."{{cite magazine | author=Edge staff | title=Viewtiful Joe: Battle Carnival (GC) [JP Import] | magazine=Edge | publisher=Future Publishing | issue=156 | date=December 2005 | page=100}} Funky Zealot of GamePro said in its December 2005 issue that the same console version "will likely be remembered as an amusing, if not inconsequential, fighting game detour of the franchise. Of course, you can expect Capcom to respond with more platformer installments."{{cite magazine | author=Funky Zealot | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble (GC) | url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/49735.shtml | magazine=GamePro | publisher=IDG | issue=207 | date=December 2005 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060103131457/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/49735.shtml | archive-date=January 3, 2006 | url-status=dead | access-date=December 19, 2024}}{{efn|GamePro gave the GameCube version 4/5 for graphics, 3/5 for sound, and two 3.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.}} Six issues later, Johnny K said of the latter, "Despite my annoyances with the controls and hit detection, there's plenty to enjoy in Red Hot Rumble, particularly if you're a huge fan of the show or the game series. The deep roster of characters is impressive, as is each one's unique attacks and abilities."{{cite magazine | author=Johnny K | title=Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble (PSP) | url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psp/games/reviews/52913.shtml | magazine=GamePro | publisher=IDG | issue=213 | date=June 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523094203/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psp/games/reviews/52913.shtml | archive-date=May 23, 2006 | url-status=dead | access-date=December 19, 2024}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PSP version 4/5 for graphics, two 3.5/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 3/5 for control.}} However, Robert Workman of GameDaily gave the GameCube version a score of four out of ten, calling it "a clear example of a game that has its say on the planning stages and yet comes out completely different on the other, as it just never reaches the enjoyment level of the first two chapters in the series."{{cite web | author=Workman, Robert | date=December 19, 2005 | title=Viewtiful Joe Red Hot Rumble Review (GCN) | url=http://www.gamedaily.com/games/viewtiful-joe-red-hot-rumble/gamecube/game-reviews/review/4765/1014/ | website=GameDaily | publisher=AOL | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907061901/http://www.gamedaily.com/games/viewtiful-joe-red-hot-rumble/gamecube/game-reviews/review/4765/1014/ | archive-date=September 7, 2008 | url-status=dead | access-date=December 19, 2024}}
{{clear}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Japan|Video games}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090225080615/http://www.capcom.co.jp/vj/vj_battle/index.html Official website] {{in lang|ja}} (Wayback Machine copy)
- {{moby game|id=/35779/viewtiful-joe-red-hot-rumble/}}
- {{IMDb title|id=0796372}}
{{Viewtiful Joe}}
{{Clover Studio}}
Category:Cooperative video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:PlayStation Portable games
Category:Side-scrolling beat 'em ups
Category:Superhero video games
Category:Video games based on anime and manga
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games featuring female protagonists
Category:Video games with cel-shaded animation