There are very few games I would deem “perfect.” Tetris definitely falls into that category. Probably Super Mario World as well. But most games have some niggling flaw that knocks them out of perfect range. Well, Capcom really hit one out of the park with Viewtiful Joe. Even 3 years after release, it still holds up to the perfect test.

VJ is an unabashed, old school fighting game. The graphics are certainly beautiful and stylized, but this is a very basic game design. This is a pattern-based brawler and it is done in simply glorious fashion.

The beauty in this game is hard to ignore when everything is moving in unison. Being able to slow down time at the perfect moment, dodge enemy attacks while laying on some of your own, is a symphony of video game delights. The rhythm of the fight is all that matters and it is wonderful.

If only they had killed the franchise immediately. After a me-too sequel and a couple baffling spin offs (does anyone even remember the ill-advised Smash Bros. rip-off?), the series was put to a premature death. I can only dream what a next generation version of this already classic beat ‘em up would be like.

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