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/Two/Next

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.

Miscellaneous staff

Recurring themes

A train on Tokyo's Yamanote Line with GameCenter CX livery

Music

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 ForceSuper Mario Bros. 2Atlantis no NazoGhosts'n GoblinsPrince of PersiaSuper Mario Bros. 3 Hankyu Daily Shoppers The Transformers: Mystery of Convoy
Vol. 2 23 June 2006 Super Mario WorldAdventure IslandTakeshi no ChōsenjōSolomon's KeyMega Man 2 Nigiwai Plaza/Nonbiri Onsen Ikki
Vol. 3 22 December 2006 Ninja Gaiden (Director's Cut)/Milon's Secret CastleFinal FightGhouls'n Ghosts (Director's Cut)/Quiz Tonosama no Yabou/Contra The Hot Spring Game Travelogue TwinBee
Vol. 4 21 December 2007 Yokai DochukiStreet Fighter IIMighty Bomb JackSeptentrionUmihara 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 KiRockmanSuper Fantasy Zone Shibamata Haikara Yokochou/Unirose/Denkiya Hall/Azuma Garden Leisure Center/Autobahn The Tower of Druaga
Vol. 6 18 December 2009 Wagyan LandThe Legend of the Mystical NinjaClock TowerYo! NoidThe Wing of Madoola (Director's Cut)/ChelnovYuuyu 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]

SegmentFeatured 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

External links

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