Direct sequel that extends the Viewtiful Joe formula. Two playable heroes, more varied levels and combined powers. Arguably as solid as the first, maybe less surprising but just as tasty. Excellent 2D action, a feast pad in hand.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player12+
Description
Joe battles Jet Black and enemies in this Clover Studio GameCube Viewtiful Joe 2. Published by Capcom, released in the United States in April 2005. 2D beat'em up with playable Viewtiful Joe and Sexy Silvia, new VFX powers, varied levels and spectacular sequel bosses.
Viewtiful Joe 2 review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
Denser and more inventive, the sequel's comic-book style pushes the vivid flat colours and cinematic staging effects even further. The VFX powers warp the screen into bursts of colour and heroic framing. This controlled graphic escalation brilliantly extends the brilliance of the original.
The NTSC release of Viewtiful Joe 2 is the US version of Clover Studio's sequel via Capcom.
Memorable bosses
More cartoonish than ever, this sequel's clashes enrich the arsenal with Replay, which replays the action to multiply your blows. Between deranged bosses and booby-trapped arenas, every duel is solved by juggling time and style. The same comic-book energy, paired with sharpened mechanics, carries on the first game's outsized fights with real flair.
Is Viewtiful Joe 2 still worth playing in 2026?
A direct enriched sequel, Viewtiful Joe 2 adds Joe's sister Silvia as a second playable character with her own VFX powers and a renewed enemy cast. The art direction stays brilliant, the difficulty remains demanding and the puzzles gain complexity through interaction between the two characters. For anyone who loved the first entry, this sequel is an ideal complement and keeps all of the singularity of the Clover Studio formula. A strong recommendation to fans of demanding beat'em ups today still here in this catalogue.
