Viewtiful Joe Double Trouble (DS) Review

It's about time! I've been waiting patiently for a new Viewtiful Joe game since I conquered Viewtiful Joe 2 for the GameCube the day after Christmas last year. And at long last, it here's. Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble for the Nintendo DS happily lives up to the legacy that Joe fans know and love, although some may be thrown off by the game's tempo. Those expecting a butt-kicking experience similar to the console efforts may be thrown off by the puzzle-based approach in some of the game. However, Joe purists are bound to find something to like.

Like in previous games, you take control of Joe as he once again combats enemies straight from the silver screen, utilizing the VFX powers to become a super hero with vast fighting and jumping abilities. Joe also manages to pack the power to slow down time, so he can dodge crucial attacks that would otherwise leave him in a critically injured position. That ability returns here, and comes in handy for when you face an enemy who otherwise appears impenetrable.

Clover continues to do good work when it comes to presentation. Although the game doesn't move at the silky smooth 60 frames per second rate the first two console games did, it still remains at a solid 30 and has incredible animation and level designs. The music is just as bouncy as it's always been, as well as the sound effects and voicework. It seems a little cut back, but, seeing as how the game's been crammed into a handheld such as the DS, I'll allow that cutback.

What makes Double Trouble different from its console compatriots is its focus on puzzles. The game still has butt-kicking action but relies just as heavily as using some new powers to get through some obstacles. For instance, the touch screen comes heavily into play for "cutting" the screen and moving around level areas to where items match up. For instance, one level won't let you progress until you get batteries put into place, and the only way to do that is to cut it in half and shift the scene carefully to where they match up. This may confuse amateur Joe players, but it really seems like an efficient new addition.

The touch screen also comes into play for interacting with items like switches, and also unleashing a "scratch" attack. This allows Joe to set up his enemies for a severe fall, and then, by rapidly scratching across the screen, unleash a devastating attack that clears the screen. It seems pretty limited, but it works pretty well when you find yourself surrounded.

The game's change in tempo may turn off some players, but don't be fooled. This is still the genuine Viewtiful Joe article, especially in the face of the somewhat limp GameCube Red Hot Rumble release. It features the kind of presentation that fits well on the DS, as well as gameplay tricks of the trade that proves the game isn't just a quickie port. This game of Double is most certainly worth the Trouble.