Viewtiful Joe

When you take a friend to the movies, you don't expect the film's baddies to crash through the screen and steal your buddy from right beneath your eyes. But that's just what happened to Joe. Catapulted from ordinary movie freak to girlfriend-rescuing superhero in a matter of minutes, Joe is thrust into the world of the movies - where the laws of physics can be bent or even broken.

At its heart, Viewtiful Joe is an old-school side-scrolling beat 'em up. But it's been given a 21st century boost by the addition of special effects that would make Hollywood jealous. Joe's task is simple: punch and kick his way through level after level of cartoon-style baddies and some very wacky bosses. But at critical moments, Joe can call on the magic of the movies, known as VFX power, to aid him. If Joe is fired upon, a quick press of the L Button slows down time, allowing Joe to dodge the bullet or punch it back from where it came.

Once Joe learns how to speed up time, he can perform a flurry of furiously fast punches. And you can even zoom in and out of the action, using the C Stick, to pull off unstoppable special moves. VFX power isn't just for show, either. The more spectacular your attacks are, the more points you get. But beware because VFX power doesn't last forever. Use up too much and Joe reverts to his weak, ordinary self.

With its combination of smart cel-shaded graphics and over-the-top action sequences, Viewtiful Joe is like a cartoon that you control. But don't be lulled into a false sense of security by its cute looks. Like its old-school ancestors, Viewtiful Joe is tough. Die at the end of a level, for instance, and you're forced to restart all the way back at the beginning. But Capcom have thoughtfully included two difficulty modes - 'Kids' and 'Adult' - to help less experienced gamers get to grips with it.

All in all, Viewtiful Joe is a sight to behold and a joy to play. And it's a Nintendo GameCube exclusive, so you can make all your rival console-owning friends very jealous indeed.