'Viewtiful Joe' is great platformer -- and more

Side-scrolling platform games no longer are as common as they once were. But that doesn't mean the genre is dead.

In fact, one of the best games I've played this year, "Viewtiful Joe," fits neatly into the category, although there is a lot more to it than a simple "Mario" knockoff.

The story is a simple and timeless tale of lost love. Our hero, Joe, takes his girlfriend to the movies to see one of his favorite films, a Japanese-style superhero flick starring the notorious Captain Blue.

Suddenly, one of the movie villains drags poor Sylvia into the film, with Joe hot on their trail.

Let the battle begin.

Capcom has put a lot of effort into the game, and it shows from the moment you slip it into your GameCube and turn on the juice.

Look at the delightful cel-shaded graphics. Check the ease of control, despite all the things you have to do to succeed. And best of all, fall in love with the "bullet time" slow-motion superpower that's crucial to completing each section.

Other powers include a speed-up mode, and a zoom mode that shows Joe in close-up and hikes the damage your attacks do. Zoom and punch, for instance, and watch Joe's fists speed up into a lethal blur.

While slow motion is just one of Joe's superpowers, you'll find it's the one you turn to most often. Joe's attacks are stronger, and he can solve puzzles and use it to get to places he might otherwise miss.

Use it to get to platforms you can't otherwise reach; the platform propellers will spin so slowly the platforms will drop to the ground. Hop on, get out of slo-mo, the props rev up and away you go.

The energy fueling the superpowers is limited by the VFX meter, which is drained as you slip into super mode. It refills if you stop using it, but keep a close eye on the gauge, because you can become mortal again at the worst times.

There's also a power-up screen that appears from time to time, which accepts v-points, currency you earn by defeating enemies. You can purchase additional weapons and other items, including a quicker recharge time for your VFX meter.

In the great tradition of side-scrollers, Joe must defeat a wide variety of enemies before meeting a boss at the end of each section. Your enemies are tough but don't despair; they can be beaten with practice and a judicious use of your superpowers.

Graphics get an enthusiastic A. Gorgeous colors, excellent animation and spectacular special effects make "Viewtiful Joe" a major treat for the eyes.

Control gets another A. The controls are easy to pick up and always function as advertised. There's a lot to learn, but once you get it all sorted out, the controls are just a delight to use.

Sound is a B+. Sound effects are excellent, as is the pounding sound track. I got a little tired of the voice acting after a while, but overall the game is almost as much fun to listen to as it is to play.

"Viewtiful Joe" is a pleasant surprise and earns an A for being one of the year's most unusual and entertaining titles. It's a must-have for GameCube owners.