Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Fighting
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 28 Mar 06

Score 10 (Best) 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (Worst)

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Overview

The PSP has really been and still is in some dire need for some really great third party games, as that is something that the handheld has been unable to really grasp. The PS2 success can be heavily contributed to the great third party support with games like Metal Gear Solid and Grand Theft Auto, but the PSP just hasn't been shown the same kind of loving. Well I am sure Sony was hoping Capcom would come through with their latest Viewtiful Joe game, Red Hot Rumble for the PSP. So did Capcom create the winning formula for the series on the PSP? Read our full review to find out!

Gameplay

Well I know there are those of you who are out there and who have never heard of Viewtiful Joe, and that's ok because he hasn't been around for all that long. But some of you may be wondering if you have seen this game before? And the answer is yes, this game is actually first found on the Gamecube. But with the dying console, it really did not make all that big of a splash, and from what I could tell went rather unnoticed.

There is a story in Red Hot Rumble, which places you in an event in which Captain Blue has decided to retire from being a super hero (doesn't that sound like Superman Returns?) and he is basically holding a casting call for his new movie. So basically the whole idea behind the game is that you are going to go through a ton of different fights as part of the audition.

The gameplay itself is actually more of just a straight on fighting experience then what I expected to find. When I heard about this game, I was expecting more of an action experience but this is definitely not that. There are some basic jump and attack buttons and then you have the special attacks as well. The developers managed to keep the controls at an extremely easy to use level to make this game just a very easy and interesting experience.

The gameplay itself does struggle a bit from its simplicity and its lack of innovation. Some of the objectives in the game do vary a bit, but the core of the gameplay doesn't manage to spruce up a whole lot. The game itself just is one big fight and it's a fight that comes out in more of a draw in my mind. I wanted this game to be better than it was, because it has such vibrant characters and such cool special moves. But the gameplay is what I consider paper thin and doesn't really manage to bring anything overly interesting to the table. Though this game is a pretty good fighting game for a portable system, I still can't but help want more from Red Hot Rumble.

Graphics

Visually, just like in past Viewtiful Joe titles, this game once again look fantastic, with just a wonderful array of color and detail. One thing that is really great is just the amazing use of cel shading and the bright colors that really blend together to make some fantastic looking game. On the other end of the spectrum, the gameplay could look a bit better with some more animation and a bit less slowdown during some of the more intense action scenes. Still in the end, the visuals are great with most importantly the great use of color.

Fun Factor

I am a fan of the series, but I have to say that out of all of the games in the series this had to be the least entertaining. The developers just never managed to bring anything interesting into the mix, as the gameplay is just your standard fighting experience. For those that are hoping that Red Hot Rumble would add a lot of depth, and make for a great PSP game, but unfortunately that is just not the case. The game is overly simplistic and becomes very repetitive.

Overall

Although I am a big fan of the style of Red Hot Rumble, I am not sold on the whole experience as it seems a bit too simple and a tad underwhelming. For fans of the series, you might find some to like about this game as much of the cast is back in action in this game, but for the rest you are probably better off just passing this game up.

Gameplay
6.0

Graphics
8.0

Fun Factor
6.0

Overall
6.0

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