Aratanaru Kibou is the Japanese name of Viewtiful Joe A New Hope. Same 2D masterpiece, same Capcom intensity and same offbeat cinephile charm. Essential.
Your verdict
Category
Action1 player12+
Description
A Clover Studio and Capcom action game released in 2004, the original Japanese edition of Viewtiful Joe Aratanaru Kibou (New Hope). Initial Japanese version of the Hideki Kamiya-signed masterpiece, released two months before the Western versions. Joe traverses six levels to save Silvia with innovative VFX mechanics (slow-motion, mach speed, zoom). Signature spectacular cel-shaded comic-book aesthetics. Original Japanese edition.
Viewtiful Joe - Aratanaru Kibou review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
A flamboyant tribute to superhero cinema, the game blends razor-sharp cel-shading, saturated colours and film-reel effects into a jubilant tokusatsu style. Slow-downs and speed-ups warp the image into a non-stop spectacle. This graphic audacity, unique and electric, keeps its freshness intact.
The soundtrack resurrects the sound codes of sentai series. True to its Japanese tokusatsu roots, this game punctuates the action with ritual jingles: a transformation cry as Joe dons his costume, a victory fanfare at each stage cleared, title stingers that carve the adventure into television episodes. These signals inherited from the Japanese superhero pace the progression more than the background melody.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
A 2.5D beat 'em up of unheard-of cinematic style, where the hero triggers action-movie special effects — slow motion, zoom, fast-forward — to floor his enemies and solve puzzles. This brilliant idea delivers unique sensations and a stylish release. Colourful, snappy and zany, an adventure of crazy inventiveness that looks like nothing else.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
Compare prices
Loading eBay listings…
Alert active — budget
$
Collector interest
The original Japanese version of Viewtiful Joe, released under the title Aratanaru Kibou (New Hope) ahead of the Western releases, the original pressing of a Kamiya classic in its native language. It appeals to those wanting the initial run and the distinct title of a stylish action peak, closest to the studio's intent. Its interest lies in this regional first-edition status and a distinct packaging rather than extreme scarcity.
Memorable bosses
Colorful and built for spectacle, the bosses of this stylized beat'em up are undone by manipulating time: slow-motion to dodge, Mach Speed to strike. From the shark Gran Bruce to the fiery Fire Leo, each demands marrying reflexes with cinematic powers. Their over-the-top comic-book design and theatrical staging make these duels as funny as they are hard-hitting.
Is Viewtiful Joe - Aratanaru Kibou still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2004 on PS2, Clover Studio's project signed Hideki Kamiya reinvents the scrolling brawler with a TV superhero art direction of wild audacity. The VFX powers, which let you slow down, speed up or zoom the action to solve puzzles and combos, found a system as original as it is deep. The vivid cel shading, the parodic humour and the formidable difficulty forge a unique identity. The demanding style puts off casual players. A singular and cult gem, recommended for fans of inventive two dimensional action and of old school challenge that rewards mastery.
