GameCenter CX
| GameCenter CX | |
|---|---|
 Cover for the 11th DVD Boxset, depicting the Family Computer, controller and cartridge. The use of the Famicom on the cover was approved by Nintendo. | |
| Genre |
Retrogaming Comedy Variety show |
| Starring | Shinya Arino |
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Original language(s) | Japanese |
| No. of episodes | 217 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Kan Tsuyoshi |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
Fuji Television Gascoin Company |
| Distributor | Discotek Media (Selected Episodes only) |
| Release | |
| Original network | Fuji TV One |
| Original release | Nov 4, 2003 – present |
| External links | |
|
Official website at Fuji TV One | |
GameCenter CX (ゲームセンターCX Gēmu Sentā Shī Ekkusu), also known as Retro Game Master in other regions, is a Japanese Gaming-Variety show television program produced by Fuji Television and Gascoin Company. It stars Shinya Arino, a member of comedy duo Yoiko, who plays home console video games from previous decades and usually attempts to get the game's ending within a single day. The show has been on-air since November 4, 2003 with a new episode airing bi-weekly at Thursday midnight on Fuji TV One. There are currently 11 DVD sets released in Japan. In 2008 Fuji TV was looking for international distributors for subtitled DVDs.[1][2]
Premise
The show is presented as a gaming variety show which follows a commentary-based longplay format. Shinya Arino challenges several games from previous eras, presented by his producers in order to get each ending. He is supported by the show's assistant directors (referred to as ADs) and sometimes other staff, both via moral support and actual gameplay. He also is featured in segments interspersed throughout the episodes where he goes to local arcade centers, as well as segments where he does a variety of things, such as interviews with game designers, showcasing classic console hardware or games, or a made up game show where the staff participate.
GameCenter CX as a company
Arino is presented as an employee of the GameCenter CX company, which exists solely inside the GameCenter CX universe. His jumpsuit attire adorns the GameCenter CX logo, which with the second season onward lost the original brackets around the "CX". Arino formally greets anyone of status by serving him/her a business card. The CX company even promotes Arino depending on how well he does during the season. The phrase Arino says right before turning on the console, "Kachō on!", signifies his role as chief of the aforementioned company.
| Season | Position | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Senior Staff (Shunin) | |
| Season 2 | Acting Chief (Kachō Dairi) | |
| Season 3 | Chief (Kachō) | After clearing every game in the 3rd Season |
| Season 4 | Acting Chief (Kachō Dairi) | 4 losses in a row - Ultraman to ActRaiser |
| Season 4 | Senior Staff (Shunin) | Demoted due to a second final boss failure in ActRaiser |
| Season 4 | Chief (Kachō) | Promoted due to a successful completion of Quiz Tonosama no Yabou |
To continue on with the corporate theme of the show, a stock certificate was included with the second DVD collection to have the buyers feel like they owned stock in the company. In the last episode of season 7, Bandai Namco Entertainment president Ishikawa made Arino an honorary employee and presented him with a company card.
ADs
The assistant directors help provide creative input, construct settings, and work as camera crew at times, especially when on location. Their on-screen presence is typically precipitated by Arino struggling with a spot in a game. They will offer help of a varying degree, enough to dislodge Arino from his despair, but not so much as to raise questions about whether he beat the game on his own. These members of staff start as interns, and often they are promoted to various paid positions surrounding the show's production. Many have moved on to other Japanese TV shows.
- Naoki Yamada (山田直喜) - Season 1
- Shinichirou Toujima (東島真一郎) - Seasons 1 & 2(first episode only)
- Hiroshi Sasano (笹野大司) - Season 2
- Shun Urakawa (浦川瞬) - Seasons 3 & 4
- Yuuya Inoue (井上侑也), a.k.a. Inoko MAX (イノコMAX) - Seasons 5 & 6, later promoted to Trainee Director in the end of season 13
- Sachi Takahashi (高橋佐知), a.k.a. Meijin,Sensei (名人,先生) - Season 7
- Takeshi Tsuruoka (鶴岡丈志) - Season 8
- Tomoaki Nakayama (中山智明) - Seasons 9 & 10, left the staff in the 12th season.
- Hiroyuki Emoto (江本紘之), a.k.a. Emoyan (エモヤン) - Seasons 11 & 12, left the staff in the end of the 12th season.
- Akane Itou (伊藤茜) - Seasons 11 & 12 & 13
- Yuuki Katayama (片山雄貴), a.k.a. Katakin-kun (片きんくん) - Seasons 13 & 14 & 15, now only appears in the "TamaGe" segments starting the 15th Season.
- Junpei Takahashi (高橋純平) Seasons 13 & 14 & 15
- Atsushi Itou (伊東篤志) - Season 16
- Gen Matsui (松井現) - Seasons 16 & 17 & 18, left the staff in the 18th season.
- Hideaki Yanai - Season 18
Miscellaneous staff
- Kouichi Abe (阿部浩一) - Cameraman
- Masayuki Kibe (岐部昌幸) - Art Director, Writer
- Tsuyoshi Kan (菅剛史) - Producer, Narrator
- Yuuichirou Suda (須田祐一郎) - Video Editor
- Muneaki Tanizawa (谷澤宗明), a.k.a. Tanii (タニー) - Voice Mixing
- Kensaku Sakai (酒井健作) - Planner
- Yuko Watanabe (渡邊優子) - Assistant Director, left the staff in the 12th season. Came back as Director in 17th season.
Recurring themes
- He often will apply reikyaku sheets (adhesive cooling pads intended to decrease temperatures and inhibit fevers) on his forehead. During earlier seasons, he exclusively used Hiepita-brand reikyaku. Occasionally he'll write encouraging words on them as a form of self-inspiration.
- He has a large array of water bottles and junk food to his left to snack on. The snacks are 'nostalgic' sweets Arino recalls eating in his youth, the purpose of which is both to maintain his energy, and to keep with the show's theme of carefree childhood reminiscence.
- Many of the food items in later episodes are sent in from fans. Arino really enjoys kusashisuika, which are skewered vinegar-soaked squid.
- Whenever Arino plays an arcade machine and makes a top scorer's list (or plays a home console game with a top scorer's list), he enters the letters "SEX" as his name (or "SEXY" if four characters can be entered). However, since this has become expected, Arino has occasionally switched to using "SET" instead.
- Arino will often comment on his strengths and weaknesses as a gamer as he is playing. The narrator often reminds viewers how bad he is at shoot 'em up games, but Arino takes pride in how good he is at puzzle games.
- Often after a difficult section or at the end of a game, Arino will raise his arms in victory or clap in celebration, only to find that something else remains to be done (and with his hands not holding the controller, may sometimes not react in time). Usually this involves multiple forms of a final boss, or, in the case of Konami Wai Wai World and Metroid, having to escape.
- Arino often forgets to continue in older games that require a cheat code to do so, and ultimately winds up having to start the game from the beginning losing many hours of game play.
Music
- Audio clips from the videogame Kid Icarus (光神話 パルテナの鏡) are often used to intro segments with The King.
- The song used during Arino's arcade field trip adventures is called 異国のしらべ from HEAT WAVE.
- The song during his trip north is "Between the expansive sky and large land" by Chiharu Matsuyama.
- The second and third seasons made extensive use of the soundtracks from the games Headhunter and Headhunter Redemption to highlight the show's dramatic segments.
- The show also frequently features popular music by contemporary artists such as Phil Collins, Jesse McCartney and Madonna, as well as music from film scores like "Jurassic Park" and Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame".
Game challenges
Main games
NOTE: An asterisk (*) is noted beside the episode number to indicate the episode's localization and release on Kotaku. Western titles in "quotes" are unofficial names Kotaku uses to refer to Japan-only games.
- 1st season
(This season featured a game series or game company as its main focus with Arino's challenge game as a secondary feature)
| Featured company | Game Challenge | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed | |
| Taito | たけしの挑戦状 | Takeshi no Chōsenjō | n/a | Famicom | cleared |
| Koei | アンジェリーク トロワ | Angelique Trois | n/a | PlayStation 2 | failed (bad ending) |
| Capcom | 鉄騎 | Tekki | Steel Battalion | Xbox | cleared mission 3 |
| Sega | ROOMMANIA#203 | ROOMMANIA#203 | n/a | Dreamcast | cleared, after pausing footage to read the ending |
| Hudson Soft | スターフォース | Star Force | Star Force | Famicom | cleared |
| ASCII Entertainment | アストロロボSASA | Astro Robo Sasa | n/a | Famicom | failed |
| Namco | ギャラガ | Galaga | Galaga | PlayStation | cleared |
| Chunsoft | ドアドア | Door Door | n/a | Famicom | cleared with help |
| Konami | イーアルカンフー グラディウス ハイパーオリンピック |
Yie Ar Kung-Fu Gradius Hyper Olympic |
Yie Ar Kung-Fu Gradius Track & Field |
Famicom Famicom Famicom |
failed failed cleared with help |
| Nintendo | スーパーマリオブラザーズ スーパーマリオブラザーズ2 |
Super Mario Bros. Super Mario Bros. 2 |
Super Mario Bros. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels |
Famicom FDS |
failed failed (later ruled a draw) |
- 2nd season
(episode numbering started with Arino's challenge games being the main feature)
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 * | アトランチスの謎 | Atlantis no Nazo | "Mystery of Atlantis" | Famicom | cleared |
| 2 | チャレンジャー | Challenger | n/a | Famicom | cleared |
| 3 | 魔界村 | Makaimura | Ghosts'n Goblins | Famicom | failed (only beat game once) |
| 4 | コナミワイワイワールド | Konami Wai Wai World | n/a | Famicom | cleared |
| 5 | メトロイド | Metroid | Metroid | FDS | cleared, but did not get "unmasked Samus" ending |
| 6 * | ソロモンの鍵 | Solomon no Kagi | Solomon's Key | Famicom | cleared |
| 7/8 | プリンスオブペルシャ | Prince of Persia | Prince of Persia | Super Famicom | cleared |
| 9 | ロックマン2 Dr.ワイリーの謎 | Rockman 2: Dr. Wily no Nazo | Mega Man 2 | Famicom | failed |
| 10 | スーパーマリオブラザーズ3 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Famicom | failed |
- 3rd season
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | カトちゃんケンちゃん | Kato Chan Ken Chan | J.J. & Jeff | PC Engine | cleared |
| 12 | 突撃!風雲たけし城 | Takeshi's Castle | n/a | Famicom | cleared |
| 13 | ときめきメモリアル | Tokimeki Memorial | n/a | PlayStation | cleared |
| 14 | ファミコンジャンプ英雄列伝 | Famicom Jump Eiyuu Retsuden | n/a | Famicom | cleared |
| 15 | 夢工場ドキドキパニック | Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic | Super Mario Bros. 2 | FDS | partial clear |
| 16 | 火の鳥 鳳凰編 我王の冒険 | Hi no Tori Hououhen: Gaou no Bouken | n/a | Famicom | cleared |
| 17/18 | スーパーマリオワールド | Super Mario World | Super Mario World | Super Famicom | cleared |
| 19 | 迷宮組曲 | Meikyuu Kumikyoku | Milon's Secret Castle | Famicom | cleared |
| 20 | ゼルダの伝説 神々のトライフォース | Zelda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Tri-Force | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Super Famicom | cleared |
- 4th season
(The season mascot changes from King to Queen)
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | ウルトラマン | Ultraman | n/a | Super Famicom | failed |
| 22 | ファイナルファイト | Final Fight | Final Fight | Super Famicom | failed |
| 23 | 高橋名人の冒険島 | Takahashi Meijin no Boukenjima | Adventure Island | Famicom | failed |
| 24 | アクトレイザ | ActRaiser | ActRaiser | Super Famicom | failed (demoted two ranks to Senior Staff) |
| 25 | クイズ殿様の野望 | Quiz Tonosama no Yabou | n/a | PC Engine CD | cleared (promoted two ranks to Chief) |
| 26 | ドラえもん | Doraemon | n/a | Famicom | cleared |
| 27/28 | スーパーマリオ64 | Super Mario 64 | Super Mario 64 | Nintendo 64 | cleared |
| 29 * | 忍者龍剣伝 | Ninja Ryuukenden | Ninja Gaiden | Famicom | cleared |
| 30 | 光神話 パルテナの鏡 | Hikari Shinwa: Palutena no Kagami | Kid Icarus | FDS | cleared (got worst ending) |
- 5th season
(Season was shortened due to birth of Arino's daughter)
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 海腹川背 | Umihara Kawase | n/a | Super Famicom | incomplete clear (called a draw by Urakawa) |
| 32 | 魂斗羅 | Kontora | Contra / Probotector | Famicom | cleared |
| 33 * | ボナンザブラザーズ | Bonanza Brothers | Bonanza Bros. | Mega Drive | cleared |
| 34 | 大魔界村 | Dai Makaimura | Ghouls'n Ghosts | Mega Drive | cleared |
| 35 | サラダの国のトマト姫 | Salad no Kuni no Tomato Hime | Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom | Famicom | cleared |
| 36 | 妖怪道中記 | Yokai Dochuki | n/a | PC Engine | cleared (got 2nd worst ending) |
- 6th season
(The season mascot changes from Queen to Dark King)
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | ストリートファイター2 | Street Fighter 2 | Street Fighter II | Super Famicom | Cleared single-player with Dhalsim (2-3 Vs. Staff, deemed a loss) |
| 38 | 悪魔城伝説 | Akumajou Densetsu | Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse | Famicom | Password Skipped Level 7-5, failed 3rd ending boss |
| 39* | マイティボンジャック | Mighty Bomb Jack | Mighty Bomb Jack | Famicom | Failed, Rematch requested |
| 40 | レッドアリーマー2 | Red Arimer 2 | Gargoyle's Quest II | Famicom | Failed |
| 41 | マイティボンジャック | Mighty Bomb Jack (Live show, 12/23/06) | Mighty Bomb Jack | Famicom | Cleared |
| 42 | アドベンチャークイズ・カプコンワールド/ハテナ?の大冒険 | Adventure Quiz: Capcom World / Hatena Hatena no Daibouken | n/a | PC Engine CD | Cleared |
| 43 * | セプテントリオン | Septentrion | SOS | Super Famicom | Failed to get "good ending," but ruled clear by Arino |
| 44 | バイオミラクルぼくってウパ | Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa | Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa | FDS | Cleared |
- 7th season
(the season changes from Dark King to King. The Dark King makes a brief reappearance in #53)
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | ウルトラセブン | Ultraseven | n/a | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 46 | ロックマン | Rockman | Mega Man | Famicom | Cleared |
| 47 | ワギャンランド | Wagan Land | n/a | Famicom | Cleared |
| 48 | アウターワールド | Outer World | Another World (Europe) Out Of This World (North America) |
Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 49 | がんばれゴエモンゆき姫救出絵巻 | Ganbare Goemon: Yukihime Kyuushutsu Emaki | The Legend of the Mystical Ninja | Super Famicom | Failed, Revenge Challenge Requested |
| 50 | Trip to Korea by Economy Class | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 51 | 六三四の剣 ただいま修行中 | Musashi no Ken – Tadaima Shugyō Chu | n/a | Famicom | Cleared (3-2 Vs. Staff) |
| 52 | 超魔界村 | Chō Makaimura | Super Ghouls'n Ghosts | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 53* | クロックタワー | Clock Tower | Clock Tower | Super Famicom | Cleared (S Best Ending) |
| 54 | カイの冒険 | Kai no Bouken: The Quest of Ki | n/a | Famicom | Failed (Reached 79th level) |
- 8th season
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | カイの冒険 | Kai no Bouken: The Quest of Ki | n/a | Famicom | Failed (Reached 98th level) |
| 56 | フラッシュバック | Flashback | Flashback: The Quest for Identity | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 57 | ビックリマンワールド | Bikkuriman World | Wonder Boy in Monster Land | PC Engine | Cleared |
| 58 | 仮面の忍者 花丸 | Kamen no Ninja Hanamaru | Yo! Noid | Famicom | Cleared |
| 59 * | スーパーファンタジーゾーン | Super Fantasy Zone | Super Fantasy Zone | Mega Drive | Failed |
| Christmas Eve Live 2007 | カイの冒険 | Kai no Bouken: The Quest of Ki | n/a | Famicom | Cleared |
| 60 | PC原人 | PC-Genjin | Bonk's Adventure / BC Kid | PC Engine | Cleared |
| 61 * | 東海道五十三次 | Tōkaidō Gojūsan-tsugi | "53 Stations of the Tōkaidō" | Famicom | Failed |
| 62 | 悪魔城すぺしゃる ぼくドラキュラくん | Akumajō Special: Boku Dracula-kun | Kid Dracula | Famicom | Cleared |
| 63 | クインティ | Quinty | Mendel Palace | Famicom | Cleared |
- 9th season
(Season was shortened due to Arino being hospitalized)
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ | Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic the Hedgehog | Mega Drive | Cleared (without all chaos emeralds) |
| 65 | 課長の海外出張inカンヌ映画祭 | Kachou no Kaigai Shucchou in Cannes Eigaisai | The Kacho Goes to the Cannes Film Festival | N/A | Aired while Arino was in hospital |
| 66 | おかえり！課長リターンズスペシャル | Okaeri! Kachou Returns Special | Super Mario Bros. Dr. Mario |
Famicom | Warped to World 3, but failed to clear challenge Win vs. Nakayama |
| 67 | 暴れん坊天狗 | Abarenbou Tengu | Zombie Nation | Famicom | Cleared |
| 68 * | マドゥーラの翼 | Maduura no Tsubasa | The Wing of Madoola | Famicom | Cleared |
| 69 | ドラゴンスレイヤーIV | Dragon Slayer IV | Legacy of the Wizard | Famicom | Cleared |
- 10th season
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | ドラゴンボール神龍の謎 | Dragon Ball Shenron no Nazo | Dragon Power (NA) DragonBall (EU) |
Famicom | Failed |
| 71 | チェルノブ | Chelnov | Atomic Runner | Mega Drive | Cleared |
| 72 | ゆうゆのクイズでGO！GO! | Yuuyu no Quiz de GO! GO! | N/A | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 73 | レミングス | Lemmings | Lemmings | Super Famicom | Cleared on Tricky difficulty |
| 74 | ファーストサムライ | First Samurai | First Samurai | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 75/76 | スーパードンキーコング | Super Donkey Kong | Donkey Kong Country | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 77 | 餓狼伝説スペシャル | Garōu Densetsu Special | Fatal Fury Special | Neo Geo | Cleared |
- 11th season
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | 福岡里帰りスペシャル | Fukuoka Hometown Special | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 79 | レイラ | Layla | N/A | Famicom | Failed |
| 80 | 星のカービィ夢の泉の物語 | Hoshi no Kābī: Yume no Izumi no Monogatari | Kirby's Adventure | Famicom | Cleared |
| 81 * | バトルゴルファー唯 | Battle Golfer Yui | Battle Golfer Yui | Mega Drive | Cleared, (2-0 Vs. Staff) |
| 82/83 | ロックマン3 Dr.ワイリーの最期!? | Rockman 3 Dr. Wily no Saigo!? | Mega Man 3 | Famicom | Cleared |
| 84 | すーぱーぐっすんおよよ | Super Gussun Oyoyo | N/A | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 85 | 源平討魔伝 | Genpei Tōma Den | The Genji and the Heike Clans | PC Engine | Failed, Revenge Challenge Requested |
| 86 | パンチアウト!! | Punch-Out!! | Punch-Out!! | Famicom | Failed |
| 87 * | ゴールデンアックス | Golden Axe | Golden Axe | Mega Drive | Cleared |
| 88 | ディグダグII | Dig Dug II | Dig Dug II | Famicom | Cleared |
| 89 (24-hour challenge) | レミングス | Lemmings | Lemmings | Super Famicom | Cleared on Taxing Difficulty |
- 12th season
(The season mascot changes from King to Fallen Warrior)
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | ドラゴンバスター | Dragon Buster | N/A | Famicom | Cleared |
| 91 | カケフくんのジャンプ天国 スピード地獄 | Kakefu Kun no Jump Tengoku: Speed Jigoku | Kid Kool | Famicom | Failed |
| 92/93 | 不思議のダンジョン2 風来のシレン | Fushigi no Dungeon 2: Fūrai no Shiren | Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 94 | 電車でGO! | Densha de Go! | Go by Train! | PlayStation | Failed (Got bad Ending) |
| 95 | 2010 ストリートファイター | 2010 Street Fighter | Street Fighter 2010: The Final Fight | Famicom | Failed |
| 96/97 | 忍者龍剣伝II 暗黒の邪神剣 | Ninja Ryūkenden II: Ankoku no Jashinken | Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos | Famicom | Cleared |
| 98 | パイロットウイングス | Pilotwings | Pilotwings | Super Famicom | Failed |
| 99 | レインボーアイランド | Rainbow Island | Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 | Famicom | Failed |
| 100 | レッキングクルー | Wrecking Crew | Wrecking Crew | Famicom | Cleared |
- 13th season
(The season mascot changes from Fallen Warrior to King)
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | ゴルゴ13 第一章 神々の黄昏 | Golgo 13: Kamigami no Tasogare | Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode | Famicom | Cleared |
| 102 | す〜ぱ〜ぷよぷよ | Supa Puyo Puyo | Kirby's Avalanche (NA) Kirby's Ghost Trap (EU) |
Super Famicom | Failed to clear challenge and against staff in a vs battle |
| 103 | 甲子園 | Koushien | N/A | Famicom | Failed |
| 104 | ゲゲゲの鬼太郎 復活! 天魔大王 | Gegege No Kitarō: Fukkatsu! Tenma Daiou | N/A | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 105 | 北海道連鎖殺人 オホーツクに消ゆ | Hokkaido Rensa Satsujin: Ohotsuku ni Kiyu | N/A | Famicom | Cleared |
| 106 | Yuji Horii Interview Special (no game) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
- 14th season
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107 | パリ・ダカールラリー・スペシャル | Paris-Dakar Rally Special | N/A | Famicom | Cleared (but did not get good ending) |
| 108 | ジェリーボーイ | Jerry Boy | Smart Ball | Super Famicom | Cleared in 9 hours |
| 109/110 | ゼルダの伝説 時のオカリナ | Zeruda no Densetsu: Toki no Okarina | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | Nintendo 64 | Cleared in 3 days |
| 111 | スーパースターフォース | Super Star Force: Jikūreki no Himitsu | Super Star Force | Famicom | Failed |
| 112 | 最後の忍道 | Saigo no Nindou: Ninja Spirit | Ninja Spirit | PC Engine | Cleared in 2 hours, 10 minutes (at the time the fastest clear ever) |
| 113 | かまいたちの夜 | Kamaitachi no Yoru | N/A | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 114/115 | ロックマン4 新たなる野望！！ | Rockman 4 Arata Naru Yabō!! | Mega Man 4 | Famicom | Cleared |
| 116 | バベルの塔 | Tower of Babel | N/A | Famicom | Failed |
- 15th season
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 117 | ギミック！ | Gimmick! | Mr. Gimmick! | Famicom | Cleared (but got bad ending) |
| 118/119 | F-ZERO | F-ZERO | F-ZERO | Super Famicom | Cleared (on standard difficulty instead of expert) with AD Takahashi's help |
| 120 | タントアール | Tant-R | N/A | Mega Drive | Cleared |
| 121 | バイオ戦士DAN | Bio Senshi DAN | N/A | Famicom | Cleared |
| 122 | コミックスゾーン | Comix Zone | Comix Zone | Mega Drive | Cleared (but got bad ending) |
| 123 | カービィボウル | Kirby Bowl | Kirby's Dream Course | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 124 | メタルストーム | Metal Storm | Metal Storm | Famicom | Failed |
| 125 | 子育てクイズ マイエンジェル | Kosodate Quiz My Angel | N/A | PlayStation | Cleared |
| 126 | バトルフォーミュラ | Battle Formula | Super Spy Hunter | Famicom | Failed |
| 127 | ハロー!パックマン | Hello! Pac-Man | Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 2 Hour Special | GameCenter CX in USA/RoboCop | RoboCop | RoboCop | Famicom | Cleared |
| 128 | ストライダー飛竜 | Strider Hiryu | Strider | Mega Drive | Cleared |
| 129 | 飛龍の拳 奥義の書 | Hiryū no Ken: Ougi no Sho | Flying Dragon: The Secret Scroll | Famicom | Failed (only beat game once) |
| 130 | 聖闘士星矢 黄金伝説 | Saint Seiya: Ougon Densetsu | N/A | Famicom | Cleared |
| 131 | 天下のご意見番 水戸黄門 | Tenka no Goikenban: Mito Koumon | N/A | Famicom | Failed |
| 132/133 | バトルトード | Battletoads | Battletoads | Famicom | Cleared (Japanese release, with lower difficulty) |
| 134 | 探偵神宮寺三郎 新宿中央公園殺人事件 | Tantei Jinguuji Saburou: Shinjuku Chuuou Kouen Satsujin Jiken | N/A | FDS | Cleared |
| 135 | アレックスキッドのミラクルワールド | Alex Kidd in Miracle World | Alex Kidd in Miracle World | Master System | Failed |
| Birthday Live 2012 | パイロットウイングス | Pilotwings | Pilotwings | Super Famicom | Failed |
| 136 | グラディウス | Gradius | Gradius | Famicom | Cleared |
- 16th season
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 137 | スーパーチャイニーズ | Super Chinese | Kung Fu Heroes | Famicom | Failed |
| 138/139 | ダイナマイト・ヘッディー | Dynamite Headdy | Dynamite Headdy | Mega Drive | Cleared |
| 140 | カットビ！宅配くん | Kattobi! Takuhai-kun | N/A | PC Engine | Failed |
| 141/142 | キャプテン翼 | Captain Tsubasa | Tecmo Cup Soccer Game | Famicom | Cleared |
| 143 | 岩手出張スペシャル「パイロットウイングス」完結!? | Iwate Special: Pilotwings Revenge | Pilotwings | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 144 | ガンデック | Gun-Dec | Vice: Project Doom | Famicom | Cleared |
| 145 | ファミコン探偵倶楽部 消えた後継者 | Famicom Tantei Club: Kieta Kōkeisha | N/A | FDS | Cleared |
| 146 | カルノフ | Karnov | Karnov | Famicom | Cleared |
| 147 | 川のぬし釣り2 | Kawa no Nushi Tsuri 2 | N/A | Super Famicom | Failed |
| 2 Hour Special | GameCenter CX in Asia/スーパーマリオカート | Super Mario Kart | Super Mario Kart | Super Famicom | Failed to clear the challenge, but won 3-2 Vs. Staff |
| 148 | パルスマン | Pulseman | N/A | Mega Drive | Cleared |
| 149 | 迷宮島 | Meikyūjima | Kickle Cubicle | Famicom | Cleared |
| 150 | パラッパラッパー | Parappa Rappa | PaRappa the Rapper | PlayStation | Cleared |
| 151 | 夢見屋形の物語 | Yumemi Yakata no Monogatari | Mansion of Hidden Souls | Mega CD | Cleared |
| 152/153 | スーパーマリオ ヨッシーアイランド | Super Mario: Yoshi's Island | Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 154/155 | メトロクロス | Metro-Cross | Metro-Cross | Famicom | Cleared |
| 156 | スペースハンター | Space Hunter | N/A | Famicom | Cleared |
- 17th season
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 157 | ミッキーのマジカルアドベンチャー | Mickey no Magical Adventure | The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 158 | ファミリートレーナー ジョギングレース | Family Trainer Jogging Race | N/A | Famicom | Cleared (Got 2nd Place with help from AD Katayama) |
| 159 | トム・ソーヤーの冒険 | Tomu Sōyā no Bōken | The Adventures of Tom Sawyer | Famicom | Cleared |
| 160 | 超惑星戦記メタファイト | Chô Wakusei Senki Metafight | Blaster Master | Famicom | Failed |
| 161 | ベスト競馬 ダービースタリオン | Best Keiba Derby Stallion | N/A | Famicom | Failed |
| 162/163/164 | スーパードンキーコング2 ディクシー＆ディディー | Super Donkey Kong 2 Dixie & Diddy | Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 2 Hour Special | Famicom 30th Anniversary Live Special/ファミコン30周年生放送SP | Rockman 2: Dr. Wily no Nazo | Mega Man 2 | Famicom | Failed |
| 165 | ドラゴンボールZ 超武闘伝 | Dragon Ball Z Super Butōden | Dragon Ball Z | Super Famicom | Cleared (Normal Ending), lost 1-4 Vs. Staff |
| 166 | 闇の仕事人 KAGE | Yami no Shigotonin Kage | Shadow of the Ninja (NA) Blue Shadow (EU) |
Famicom | Cleared |
| 167 | スカイキッド | Sky Kid | Sky Kid | Famicom | Failed |
| 2 Hour Special | GameCenter CX In Paris / マリオとワリオ | Mario & Wario | N/A | Super Famicom | Failed |
| 168 | 幽★遊★白書 魔強統一戦 | Yū Yū Hakusho: Makyō Tōitsusen | N/A | Mega Drive | Failed (Got Bad Ending in Super Mode), Lost in 2 x 2 battle against staff |
| 169 | ニトロパンクス マイトヘッズ | Nitropunks: Mightheads | Rocky Rodent | Super Famicom | Failed |
| 2 Hour Special | Arino's Challenge in Budokan | Punch-Out!! / Makaimura / Super Mario Bros. / Street Fighter 2 / Best Keiba Derby Stallion | Punch-Out!! / Ghosts'n Goblins / Super Mario Bros. / Street Fighter II / Derby Stallion | Famicom / Super Famicom | Punch-Out!!: Failed (Did not defeat Soda Popinski) Ghosts'n Goblins: Cleared (Defeated 1st-stage Red Arremer) Super Mario Bros.: Cleared (World 8-4) Derby Stallion: Cleared (Got Nippon Derby Champion) Street Fighter II: Failed (Did not defeat the staff in VS mode) |
| 170/171 | アイギーナの予言 バルバルークの伝説より | Aigīna no Yogen: Barubarūku no Densetsu Yori | Aigina's Prophecy | Famicom | Cleared |
| 172 | Budokan Documentary | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 173 | 美味しんぼ 究極のメニュー三本勝負 | Oishinbo: Kyūkyoku no menyū sanbon shōbu | N/A | Famicom | Cleared |
| 174 | うっでいぽこ | Woody Poko | N/A | Famicom | Cleared |
| 175/176 | ノスフェラトゥ | Nosferatu | Nosferatu | Super Famicom | Failed (bad ending) |
- 18th season
(The season mascot changes from the King to Elephant King)
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 177 | 竜の子ファイター | Tatsu no Ko Fighter | N/A | PC Engine | Cleared |
| 178/179 | ロックマンX | Rockman X | Mega Man X | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 180 | 殺意の階層 パワーソフト連続殺人事件 | Satsui no Kaisou: Power Soft Renzoku Satsujin Jiken | N/A | Famicom | Failed (Worst Ending) |
| 181 | ガンスターヒーローズ | Gunstar Heroes | Gunstar Heroes | Mega Drive | Cleared |
| 182 | 天下一武士 ケルナグール | Tenkaichi Bushi Keru Nagūru | N/A | Famicom | Cleared (Normal Ending) |
| 183 | 超ゴジラ | Chō-Gojira | Super Godzilla | Super Famicom | Cleared |
| 184 | スーパーマリオランド | Super Mario Land | Super Mario Land | Game Boy | Cleared |
| 185/186 | ファミリージョッキー | Family Jockey | N/A | Famicom | Cleared |
| 187 | シャドー・ダンサー | Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi | Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi | Mega Drive | Cleared |
| 188 | 平成天才バカボン | Tensai Bakabon | N/A | Famicom | Cleared |
| 189 | マジックソード | Magic Sword | Magic Sword | Super Famicom | Cleared (Good Ending) |
| 190 | Dの食卓 | Dī no Shokutaku | D | Saturn | Cleared |
| 191 | クレイジー・クライマー | Crazy Climber | Crazy Climber | Famicom | Failed |
| 192 | 超絶倫人ベラボーマン | Chō Zetsurin Jin: Berabōman | Bravoman | PC Engine | Failed |
| 193 | R-TYPE I R-TYPE II |
N/A | R-Type | PC Engine | Cleared Failed |
| 194 | 伝説の騎士エルロンド | Densetsu no Kishi Elrond | Wizards & Warriors | Famicom | Cleared |
| 195 | 戦場の狼 | Senjō no Ōkami | Commando | Famicom | Cleared |
| 196 | 謎の村雨城 | Nazo no Murasame Jō | The Mysterious Murasame Castle | FDS | Failed |
- 19th season
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 197/198 | I.Q インテリジェントキューブ | I.Q Intelligent Qube | Intelligent Qube | PlayStation | Cleared |
| 199 | QUIZなないろDREAMS 虹色町の奇跡 | Quiz Nanairo Dreams: Nijiiro Machi no Kiseki | N/A | PlayStation | Failed (bad ending) |
| 200 | 全日本プロレス | Zen-Nippon Pro Wrestling | N/A | Super Famicom | Cleared, (2-1 Vs. Staff) |
| 201 | ダブルドラゴン | Double Dragon | Double Dragon | Famicom | Failed |
| 202/203 | 忍者くん 阿修羅ノ章 | Ninja-kun Ashura no Shō | Ninja-Kid II | Famicom | Cleared |
| 2 Hour Special | GameCenter CX in Vietnam/ナムコミュージアム Vol.4: イシターの復活 | Namuko Myūjiamu Vol.4: Ishitā no Fukkatsu | Namco Museum Vol.4: The Return of Ishtar | PlayStation | Failed |
| 204 | 山村美紗サスペンス 京都龍の寺殺人事件 | Yamamura Misa Suspense: Kyōto Ryuu no Tera Satsujin | N/A | Famicom | Cleared |
| 205 | モグラ〜ニャ | Mogurā~nya | Mole Mania | Game Boy | Failed |
| 206 | 闘いの挽歌 | Tatakai no Banka | Trojan | Famicom | Cleared |
| 207 | サイバーポリス イースワット | Cyber Police ESWAT | ESWAT: City under Siege | Mega Drive | Cleared |
| 208 | 改造町人シュビビンマン | Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman | N/A | PC Engine | Cleared |
| 209/210 | THE LEGEND OF ZELDA 2 リンクの冒険 | THE LEGEND OF ZELDA 2 Link no Bouken | Zelda II: The Adventure of Link | FDS | Failed |
| 211 | TAITO CHASE H.Q. | Taito Chase H.Q. | Chase H.Q. | PC Engine | Cleared |
| 212 | オリビアのミステリー | Olivia no Mystery | N/A | Super Famicom | Cleared (Bad Ending) |
| 213 | THE 功夫 | The Kung Fu | China Warrior | PC Engine | Cleared |
| 214 | 夢ペンギン物語 | Yume Penguin Monogatari | N/A | Famicom | Cleared in 1 hour, 35 minutes (the fastest clear ever) |
| 215 | セクロス | Seicross | Seicross | Famicom | Failed |
| 216 | スーパーマリオランド２ ６つの金貨 | Super Mario Land 2 Muttsu no Kinka | Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins | Game Boy | Cleared |
- 20th season
| Ep # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 217/218 | サルゲッチュ | Saru Getchu | Ape Escape | PlayStation | TBA |
DVD-Exclusive Challenges
Each DVD-Box set released includes a game challenge exclusive to the DVD set. Most of these challenges were famicom games.
| DVD # | Japanese Spelling | Romanized | Western Title | System | Cleared or Failed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 戦え! 超ロボット生命体トランスフォーマー コンボイの謎 | The Transformers: Mystery of Convoy | N/A | Famicom | Failed |
| 2 | いっき | Ikki | N/A | Famicom | Failed (Game had no verifiable ending, Arino managed to get the 8 hidden letters) |
| 3 | ツインビー | TwinBee | N/A | Famicom | Failed |
| 4 | ボンバーマン | Bomberman | Bomberman | Famicom | Cleared |
| 5 | ドルアーガの塔 | The Tower of Druaga | The Tower of Druaga | Famicom | Cleared |
| 6 | イー・アル・カンフー | Yie Ar Kung Fu | Yie Ar Kung-Fu | Famicom | Failed |
| 7 | バイナリィランド | Binary Land | N/A | Famicom | Cleared |
| Arino's Challenge 2 Special DVD | ゲームセンターCX 有野の挑戦状 | GameCenter CX: Arino no Chōsenjō | Retro Game Challenge | Nintendo DS | Cleared, Except for the Haggleman 2 Challenge |
| 8 | シティコネクション | City Connection | City Connection | Famicom | Cleared |
| 9 | スペランカー | Spelunker | Spelunker | Famicom | Cleared |
| 10 | プーヤン | Pooyan | Pooyan | Famicom | Cleared |
| 11 | 悪魔城ドラキュラ | Akumajō Dracula | Castlevania | Famicom | Cleared |
| 12 | バイオハザード ディレクターズカット | Bio Hazard: Director's Cut | Resident Evil: Director's Cut | Sony PlayStation | Upcoming |
Video Releases
On June 23, 2011, gaming website Kotaku started streaming English translated episodes of the series.[3] On January 13, 2012, Kotaku announced that their agreement to broadcast the show had ended; there will be no second season, and existing episodes will be removed when the rights expire.[4] However, on February 28, 2012, Discotek Media announced via their Facebook page that they had acquired the rights to the 12 episodes shown on Kotaku and will release them on DVD. They are hoping for a summer release and the sales of the DVD set will determine whether more episodes will be released in the future. On April 24, Discotek Media announced on their Facebook page that the episode count will be fourteen. On May 17, Discotek Media set September 18, 2012 as the release date.
So far there have been eleven DVD sets put out with the latest released in December 2014. Each one contains key episodes, game center visits and a game challenge exclusive to the DVD set. They are not season compilations.
| DVD-Box # | Release date | Games Featured | Game Center Visits Featured | DVD Exclusive Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vol. 1 | December 2005 | Star Force／Super Mario Bros. 2／Atlantis no Nazo／Ghosts'n Goblins／Prince of Persia／Super Mario Bros. 3 | Hankyu Daily Shoppers | The Transformers: Mystery of Convoy |
| Vol. 2 | 23 June 2006 | Super Mario World／Adventure Island／Takeshi no Chōsenjō／Solomon's Key／Mega Man 2 | Nigiwai Plaza／Nonbiri Onsen | Ikki |
| Vol. 3 | 22 December 2006 | Ninja Gaiden (Director's Cut)／Milon's Secret Castle／Final Fight／Ghouls'n Ghosts (Director's Cut)／Quiz Tonosama no Yabou／Contra | The Hot Spring Game Travelogue | TwinBee |
| Vol. 4 | 21 December 2007 | Yokai Dochuki／Street Fighter II／Mighty Bomb Jack／Septentrion／Umihara Kawase | Hana Yashiki/Tanigawa Stationery Shop/Ayase Batting Center/Ishida/The Far North Game Travelogue | Bomberman |
| Vol. 5 | 21 December 2008 | Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Director’s Cut)／The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido／The Quest of Ki／Rockman／Super Fantasy Zone | Shibamata Haikara Yokochou／Unirose／Denkiya Hall／Azuma Garden Leisure Center／Autobahn | The Tower of Druaga |
| Vol. 6 | 18 December 2009 | Wagyan Land／The Legend of the Mystical Ninja／Clock Tower／Yo! Noid／The Wing of Madoola (Director's Cut)／Chelnov／Yuuyu no Quiz de GO! GO! (Director's Cut)／Fatal Fury Special | Daily Mart Imaya／Takasagoya／Fun Yee Super in South Korea／Kisarazu Central／Omocha no Fukushima／Nokogiriyama Ropeway | Yie Ar Kung Fu |
| Vol. 7 | 24 December 2010 | Super Mario 64 / Door Door / Doki Doki Panic / Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse / Donkey Kong Country / Mega Man 3 / Battle Golfer Yui (Dir. Cut) | Daiba Icchome Shotengai / Kineya Suzuki / Inagaki Pastry Shop / Dazaifu Amusement Park / Starlanes Plaza / Tokyo Tower / 10-Yen Game Shop / Warehouse Kawasaki | Binary Land |
| Vol. 8 | 22 December 2011 | Mendel Palace / Densha de Go! / Paris-Dakar Rally Special / The Genji and Heike Clans / Kamaitachi no Yoru (Director's Cut) / Mega Man 4 (Full Version) | Komaya Toy Store / Honpo Smiling / Ikebukuro Batting Cages / Adachi Super Fishing / Juichiya Candy Forest | City Connection |
| Vol. 9 | 21 December 2012 | Dragon Buster / F-Zero (Full Version) / Battletoads (Full Version) / Tant-R (Director's Cut) / Dig Dug II / Ninja Spirit / Flying Dragon: The Secret Scroll | Okawa Shoten-Hen / Starlight Takayama Hen / Nakaya Yōgashiten-Hen | Spelunker |
| Vol. 10 | 20 December 2013 | Super Mario Kart / Sonic The Hedgehog / Gradius (Director's Cut) / Tokimeki Memorial -Forever with You- / Kirby Bowl / Bonk's Adventure / Tantei Jinguuji Saburou: Shinjuku Chuuou Kouen Satsujin Jiken / Super Gussun Oyoyo | Game in Mekuman / Shakujii Station Center / Rokobouru / Tōbudōbutsukōen / Ogasawara bungu-ten / Yamamoto shōten / Natsukashi yokochō / Games Cosmos / Kodomo no mise miharashi ya kashi-ten / Hiyoko | Pooyan |
| Vol. 11 | 9 December 2014 | Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island / Super Chinese / Gargoyle's Quest II / Metro-Cross / Space Hunter / Famicom Trainer Jogging Race | G-Front / Tokyo Germany Village / Iseki / Natsuge Museum / Harada Ya | Castlevania |
| Vol. 12 | 18 December 2015 | Super Mario Land / Parappa the Rapper / Family Jockey / Sky Kid / Mega Man X / R-Type (Director's Cut) | Try Amusement Tower / Game in Asobiba 20 / Honjo kaeru honpo / Net Cafe Charade / Toshimaen / Cosmo | Resident Evil: Director's Cut |
DVD-Box Vol. 5 also includes;
- Tamage In South Korea
DVD-Box Vol. 6 also includes;
- Game Center CX Museum Report／Cannes Infiltration Report
- Revenge Challenge
- Legend of the Mystical Ninja
DVD-Box Vol. 8 also includes;
- Revenge Challenge
- The Genji and Heike Clans
DVD-Box Vol. 9 also includes;
- Southernmost Gaming Travelogue
- Revenge Challenge
- F-Zero
DVD-Box Vol. 11 also includes;
- Revenge Challenge
- Famicom Trainer Jogging Race
- Tamage In ASIA: Director's Cut Edition
DVD-Box Vol. 12 also includes;
- Tamage In Paris: Director's Cut Edition
Segments
Each episode of Game Center CX is made up of a number of different segments. The only segment which appears in every episode is Arino's Challenge. The other segments vary by episode and season. However, the episodes that appear on Kotaku omit these segments, instead focusing only on the challenge of the week.[5]
| Segment | Featured in; | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Arino’s Challenge | All seasons |
In the segment Arino is challenged with beating or performing a certain task in a classic video game. He is seated in a small office within the Fuji Television building at a table covered in various snack foods and drinks. In front of him is a small TV and the challenge game with accompanying console. In order to aid his progress he is allowed to call upon the various staff members who work on the show for assistance. He is often presented with various materials which will help his progress such as strategy guides and maps. The challenge usually runs for one day although exceptions can be made at the discretion of the producer and if Arino has the will to go on. If Arino fails at a challenge then the task is handed over to the ADs who must now complete the challenge. This segment originated as a companion to the extensive interview segments found in the first season of the show before becoming the focus of the show in the second season although the basic premise has remained the same throughout. |
| I’d Like to Meet This Man | 1st and 2nd season |
In this segment Arino visited and talked to various people from the Japanese gaming industry ranging from creators of blockbuster games to obscure cult classics. In the first season he mainly talked to various people within a company as opposed to the second season in which he spoke to individuals. The final segment was a compilation of previous segments featuring some new footage. |
| Game Collections/Game Collections GB | 2nd through 9th, and 11th season |
Interstitials shown during episodes which show a brief description of the Family Computer game along with some gameplay footage of it. Each game collections segment usually features games which were released during a certain time period as specified at the beginning to the segment or fall within a certain theme of the episode. Starting Season 16, the segment now covers Game Boy games in each year they were released. |
| You Should Visit this Game Center Sometime (TamaGe) | All seasons starting 2nd season |
Each segment begins with Arino reading a suggestion from a viewer regarding a game centers, shop or other such amusement center where there are good games to be found before entering the location mentioned in the letter. Arino visits locations throughout Japan and plays a variety of different games often with the goal of winning prizes to be given away as prizes to the viewers. |
| Ring-Ring Tactics! | 3rd season |
During this segment which ran throughout season three Arino was tasked with completing the (notoriously bad) Famicom game Super Monkey Daibouken. The segment name comes from the fact he would call viewers who sent in postcards for advice or encouragement. He eventually cleared the game in the last episode of season three. |
| Urawaza Jet Stream | 4th season |
A short segment which begins with Arino stepping into a soundbooth in a recording studio and reading fond recollections from the viewers of their favorite games. The segment ends with a request for a well known secret or cheat from the game subsequently followed by footage of the trick or cheat being performed. |
| The Aces of Hardware Won’t Appear | 5th season |
During this segment Arino tries out various "hidden gems" among classic gaming consoles, that were overshadowed in popularity by their competitors. Some systems that appeared in this segment were the 3DO, the Master System and the Tomy Tutor. The title is a play on words of an old Japanese pop song entitled "Heart no Ace ga Detekonai". |
| The Romance Never Ends | 6th season |
A very tongue in cheek segment in which Arino plays various Famicom games in the search for salacious scenes featuring women. Once he has found such a scene he takes a picture of it using his phone. The title of this segment is taken from the pop song of the same name, Romantic Ga Tomaranai (Romanticが止まらない), performed by C-C-B. |
| Game & Watch, I Can’t Leave You Alone | 7th season |
This focus of this segment was the Nintendo Game & Watch. Each segment would focus on a different series of the Game & Watch with Arino playing some of the games in that particular series. Once he was done playing the games he was told the prices of each game to see the shocked look on his face at the absurdly high prices. The pop song played at the beginning of the segment is ほっとけないよ by 楠瀬誠志郎. |
| The Game Center CX Game-itization Project | 7th and 8th season |
These segments which ran over two seasons followed the development process of the first Game Center CX game, Retro Game Challenge. It featured Arino talking to many people involved with the development as well as him and other staff members pitching ideas for the game. |
| The Return of Ring-Ring Tactics! | 8th season |
The return of the original Ring-Ring Tactics segment this time with a different game. The game featured in this segment is Championship Lode Runner. With the help of the viewers he cleared the game. |
| The Xevious Observation Diary | 8th season |
These short segments filmed as a silent film began with Arino entering the invincibility code into Xevious for the Famicom before fastening a clip onto the controller and leaving the game to run throughout the season. The purpose of this is to see what will happen to the game seeing as the stages in Xevious loop indefinitely. Half way through the season a box was placed over the system and TV to conceal the potential result until the end of the season. At the end of the season the box was removed and the Famicom was turned off. There are indications that a planned power outage on July 6 was the cause. |
| The Famicom Manga Café | 9th season |
This segment takes place in a small café where Arino is seen sitting at a table reading a newspaper. He is then brought an 80s manga series focused on the Famicom and a cup of tea. He tends to read a chapter of the first volume and the skips to the last chapter of the last volume to see how the series ends, He reads out loud and adds color commentary as well as his own thoughts about the series. |
| Singing About Whatever the Hell You Want | 10th season |
In this segment Arino is provided with a viewer selected music clip from a game and also brief lyrics to sing along with it. |
| The Game Center CX Game-itization Project 2 | 10th season |
With the announcement of the second Game Center CX game this segment returns now following the development of the second game. |
| Everything Important in Life I Learned From Video Game Strategy Guides | 11th season |
A Buddhist priest reads a particularly inspiring/profound passage from a video game strategy guide to the assembled staff. He then elaborates on the passage comparing it to real life. The staff chant the advice, with Arino providing some humorous final thoughts. |
| A Waste of Color | 12th season |
Arino tries out a handful of black & white Game Boy games, supplied by Kibe. He then (usually) chooses one that he'd like to see remade in color, and provides an illustration of how he thinks the remake might look. |
| Shocking Videos MAX | 13th season |
Former AD Inoue invites Arino into his apartment to watch a series of videos of gruesome accidents in video games. Innocuous mistakes like crashing your bike in Excitebike are over dramatized with slow-mo, intense music, and countdowns to the carnage. |
| To Catch a Catch Copy | 14th season |
Arino and two former GCCX staffers, Tojima and Nakayama, convene in a traditional home with a table of games blanketed in front of them. The show’s female announcer, Ms. Takeda, reads a game’s catch copy (ad tagline), and the three men pick what game they think it is, and why, with the goal being simply to see who gets the most right. |
| Retro Read-Aloud | 15th season |
Arino and news announcer Ms. Nishiyama do dramatic readings of key scenes from various games, such as the melodramatic Fire Emblem. |
| Project CX: Peripherals | 15th season |
Arino and crew try out various Famicom accessories, ranging from standard pads and joysticks to the more infamous Robot and Power Glove. The title and opening sequence are a reference to documentary series "Project X: Chōsenshatachi." |
| Famicom Living National Treasures | 16th season |
Arino, now 90 years old, is presented with fake Famicom games, and imagines what they must be like. |
| Barcode Gambler | 16th season |
Arino and crew use a barcode battling device to scan the barcodes of two games, and Arino places a bet on which game will come out on top. |
| Family Computer Sniper | 17th season |
Parodying Golgo 13, Arino tries to identify games featured from past episodes using a pair of binoculars attached to an SNES Super Scope in a sniper like scenario. |
| The Game Center CX Game-itization Project 3 | 17th season |
With the announcement of the third and latest Game Center CX game this segment returns now following the development of the game game. |
| When I looked back, He was there | 17th season |
In celebration on the 30th anniversary of the Sega SG-1000, Arino and Kibe looked back at the games that were released for the console. |
| Famicom Box | 18th season |
Arino’s at a hot spring resort playing with the Famicom Box, which has 30+ games to challenge. |
| GameCenter MSX | 18th season |
Arino and Kibe looked back at the games that were released for the MSX computer system. |
| DJ Monster | 19th season |
In a similar style to the Barcode Gambler segment, Arino and crew use the PlayStation game Monster Farm and two J-Pop CDs to create two different monsters to battle, and Arino places a bet on which CD/monster will come out on top. |
| Chief Arino's Bonus Assessment | 19th season |
For Arino to get a raise on his salary, he himself must beat all the Bonus Stages on several video games possible. |
Media
Video games
At the end of the 6th Season, it was announced that there were plans to make a GameCenter CX video game. The game, entitled GameCenter CX: Arino's Challenge, is for the Nintendo DS and was produced in a collaborative effort by Fuji TV and Bandai Namco Games. During the 7th Season, certain parts of the show featured the development process of the game. The game was released in Japan on November 15, 2007,[6] and in North America by Xseed Games on February 10, 2009, under the title Retro Game Challenge. A second game, GameCenter CX: Arino's Challenge 2 was released in Japan on February 26, 2009. Xseed Games has stated that US release of the game is unlikely, due to its predecessor's not catching enough attention from the North American gaming community. A third game, "Game Center CX: 3-Choume no Arino" was released in Japan on March 20, 2015 and is the first installment in the series to come to the Nintendo 3DS.
Arino appears as a Mystery Mushroom figure in Super Mario Maker, which is unlocked by clearing one of his Event Courses added to the game on November 4, 2015.
Theatrical Film
GameCenter CX: The Movie - 1986 Mighty Bomb Jack was released on February 22, 2014 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the show.
Spin-Offs & Advertising
GameCenter DX starring a younger challenger (Masaru Hamaguchi, the other half of star Arino Kacho’s comedy duo “Yoiko”), and featuring many staff of the original, began in 2015 to showcase contemporary Nintendo titles, such as the latest entries in the Mario Bros. and Starfox series.
References
- ↑ Game Center CX debuts in New York City
- ↑ Subtitled Retro Game Master DVDs seek distributor
- ↑ McWhertor, Michael. "Kotaku Presents Retro Game Master, Japan's Cult Hit Video Game Show, Airing Exclusively Right Here". Kotaku.
- ↑ Fahey, Mike. "This Could Be Your Last Chance to See Retro Game Master". Kotaku.
- ↑ Crunk Games Game Center CX Episode Guide
- ↑ ゲームセンターCX 有野の挑戦状