Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble

GameBiz

While the addition of a second player character would have been cool had the co-op mode made the cut, without it Sylvia’s presence seems a bit pointless. Nevertheless, a strong outing for the only guy I know that can make pink and red lycra sexy.

Thunderbolt

Does such emphasis on multiplayer make it a bad game? Not necessarily. But solo gamers who’ve been spoiled with previous games may not appreciate the new gameplay style. Thus Viewtiful Joe’s epic saga continues, with justice and style for all.

GameZone

The game has some amazing graphics and a style that is hard to match. If you’ve never played a Viewtiful Joe game and you want a quick experience then RHR is a good place to start.

Gaming Target

Be warned, if you are looking for another adventure in the vein of the first two VJ titles you will come out of Red Hot Rumble a little bit disappointed.

Digital Entertainment News

Get more friends, get more controllers, get Red Hot Rumble. In that order only.

Game Informer

This tries to be Super Smash Bros. with some new bells and whistles, and much less-beloved characters. [Dec 2005, p.178]

Edge Magazine

Through the crush of it all, Viewtiful Joe's pedigree for fusing entertainment and quality is clearly visible throughout the chaos, even if it doesn't necessarily shine. [Dec 2005, p.100]

GamePro

The problem, however, is that there's simply too much going on. It's usually a mystery who's winning in any given level, or even where you are. The seemingly arbitrary point system means you can win all the levels, yet still ultimately lose.

GameSpot

The style and attitude are available in spades, but unfortunately the battles just feel sloppy and unsatisfying. There are some great singular mechanics in play here, but they're all just tossed together in a mess of flashy effects and shallow gameplay.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Essentially, it has the appeal of publisher Capcom's previous superdeformed novelty, "Pocket Fighter" (PS1): It's an awesome showcase for series cameos and artwork, but it doesn't work as well as a fighting game as it does a museum.

eToychest

The four-player game is impossible to enjoy, and in this genre, that may be the most important aspect of all.

Nintendojo

You'll sincerely want to accomplish goals, unlock characters, and share the experience with friends, but the game's got so much on its spinning plate there's no way to grow reasonably accustomed to any one aspect, and it's far too frenetic to be pick-up-and-play friendly.

Nintendo Power

There are enough neat ideas here that I'd like to see Clover try a sequel, but they need to work out somoe of the kinks. [Jan 2006, p.114]

Eurogamer

There's a mess of nerves that throb confusedly beneath its borrowed face. It looks about right, certainly, but you'll need more than immunosuppressants to stop your face exploding in outrage half the time.

G4 TV

To put it bluntly, anyone who values things like tight control and a fair challenge over button-mashing anarchy is going to have second thoughts about getting their hands dirty in Red Hot Rumble.

Games Radar

The goals, while repetitive, offer more than a typical four-way smasher, but damn, it's hard to keep things straight. For gamers who like things categorically insane, you're looking at a go-to, button-mashy party game.

Deeko

The gameplay itself is nothing more than a fancied up button mashing tournament with a sense of claustrophobia so apparent, you'll be looking to open a window after the first ten minutes, just for some fresh air. Maybe this game should have been entitled, Viewtiful Joe: Cabin Fever Combat.

Cheat Code Central

Loading the game into your machine is like unleashing Pandora's box. You'll either love it or loath it. Keep the aspirins handy in case of headaches.

GameSpy

Only those with 20-20 vision, muscular thumbs, weeks of free time, and patience in overlooking overloaded graphical offerings need apply.

Kombo

As a Viewtiful Joe fan, I’m pretty disappointed in Red Hot Rumble. The game isn’t bad, but it isn’t great, either. It’s average, when it gets down to it, really.

Yahoo! Games

For a game that manages to capture the look and personality of Viewtiful Joe, Red Hot Rumble is strangely demanding and uncompromising.

GameShark

Retains the style of Capcom's Viewtiful Joe series perfectly, but doesn't back it up with a very deep action experience.

NintendoWorldReport

All flash and no substance, something that the Viewtiful Joe franchise has never been about. Gone are the side-scrolling levels and intense action of the first two games; in their place is a bunch of mush that Capcom is trying to pass off as a Smash Bros. clone.

Gaming Age

The entire game can be played almost as well with frantic button presses as it can with careful use of the available moves and powerups.

IGN

As a four-player brawler, Red Hot Rumble is an incomprehensible mess of exploding objects, animated backdrops and disappearing fighters that will only disorient and confuse players before it bores them.

Game Revolution

If you really have to get down with some four-player bashing on the Gamecube, grab a used copy of "Super Smash." (Or go new; Nintendo could use the cash.) Even diehard Viewtiful Joe fans should think twice before spending the money on this madness.

GamerFeed

Lacks the fun and diversity of the Viewtiful games before it. Dare I say it's a Henshin-a-no-no, baby.