There can be little denying that there have been huge strides forward from animation teams across both gaming and film, and that we as consumers are now reaping the benefits. It is almost impossible to imagine that the breathtaking graphics showcased across the revamped ‘Uncharted’ series for the PS4 are simply the latest offering on a scale that started with 1972’s ‘Pong’.
Whilst the industry may have come along in leaps and bounds since the days of two virtual paddles batting a pixilated ball from one side of the screen to the other, the level of enjoyment that we experience as consumers is always relative to the time that the game was released – a factor which means that cult releases didn’t necessarily require photograph-quality graphics in order to earn a place for themselves within our conscious.
It’s hard to believe that it has been 13 years since the release of ‘Viewtiful Joe’ – a game so brilliantly simple and that boasted such striking visuals that it was always likely to stand the test of time. Focussing around the adventures of our protagonist Joe as he battles to retrieve his gorgeous girlfriend (Silvia) from the clutches of shadowy organization, Jadow, the game is a traditional 2D platform-style game in the same vein as a ‘Super Mario World’, but with the additional tokusatsu-style gameplay which became the game’s trademark.
Nominated for three BAFTAs – including Best Game Design, Best Gamecube Game and Best Animation or Intro – as well as a VGX Award from ‘Most Addictive Game of 2004’, the game was as much a hit with critics as it was with fans, and as a result, sequels across the PSP and Nintendo DS were inevitable, as well as a 51-episode animated TV show aired in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
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So if you’re on the look-out for a new personal favorite game – and one that carries the added bonus of giving you the opportunity to make yourself a few quid on the side – then why not be a hero like Viewtiful Joe? Check out EuroPalace’s award-winning mobile-friendly site to play poker, roulette, blackjack and slots on the go – and with your winnings you can even splash out on your real-life Silvia!
