Game Center CX

[DarknessSavior]

If you all haven't heard of this show already, that's a shame. Essentially, a Japanese comedian by the name of Shinya Arino (usually referred to as "Chief Arino") spends an entire day (usually 12 hours) playing a retro game, with the typical objective of beating the game and seeing the ending. And they don't hold back. They pick some really hard titles, too: Gradius, Ghosts 'n Goblins (the whole series), Mega Man, Actraiser, all kinds of really hard retro titles.

Arino also has a staff of ADs (assistant directors) who help him out. Typically one per season (they're up to season 16 now), but former ADs come back and some become APs (assistant producers) and whatnot. For instance, I've seen ADs make him home-made strategy guides. He's gone "Man, I want to eat (food x)", and some AD will go grab him some. ADs often draw him diagrams on his whiteboard to help him get past particularly tough situations. Or they'll tell him cheat codes that he can use. Stuff like that.

And the best part is, the guy isn't that great at most games. So it's really fun to watch him suffer through certain parts, but also really fun when he finally makes the right move and gets through. I think he's better than he puts on sometimes.

Here's a link so you can watch some of them on YouTube: http://www.gamingcx.com/

Also, some shameless self promotion: I translate a little bit myself. So far, I've translated three "Nintendo Channel" episodes (Excitebike 3D, Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem, and Super Metroid), but I'm currently working on a fourth (as you may be able to see from the topic in the Script Help forum) and my first full 60 minute episode.

Here's links to those:

Excitebike 3D

Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem

Super Metroid, Part 1

It was asked of me in my Script Help thread what my favorite episode(s) were:

Personally, I like seeing Arino face off against games that I loved. So that means I really appreciate his Mega Man challenges, as well as the Actraiser one. I also like seeing games that he winds up doing well at, so things like Super Fantasy Zone (DVD only, you can buy it on Amazon), Legacy of the Wizard and whatnot are fun as well. I also like seeing him play puzzle/adventure games, so Clock Tower (also on the DVD) is one of my top favorites.

Discuss!

~DS

[Garoth Moulinoski]

Because of this show, I decided to pick some titles up, or wanting to play some titles. Because of it, I played Megaman 2 (for iOS) all the way to the end. It also fired me up for another round of Metroid (I figured, if Arino could do it, so could I). I ended up having to use the same tricks he used.

Games I've wanted to play after watching this: Prince of Persia, Clock Tower. Probably a few others, but I forget which episodes I've watched.

[SargeSmash]

My only real familiarity as of now is with Retro Game Challenge.  We clearly need the sequel translated! 

I might start checking this out, though, because I need some interesting stuff to watch, when I need to veg out.

[Garoth Moulinoski]

If XSeed had done better marketing and the show was more publicized, then there would have been more interest in the first game. I think they billed it as a collection of old school arcade games. That's no way to sell this game!

[DankPanties]

We clearly need the sequel translated!

Agreed.

[DarknessSavior]

My only real familiarity as of now is with Retro Game Challenge.  We clearly need the sequel translated! 

I might start checking this out, though, because I need some interesting stuff to watch, when I need to veg out.

If you like that game, you will love the show. Arino plays games of all kinds, and that's actually where they got the idea for RGC. Arino was actually involved in the game-making process, and helped come up with all of the ideas for these games (his favorite is Rally King, btw). There's actually an episode of GCCX (that was supposed to be included in the special edition of the second game) of him playing through the first game. It's pretty hilarious.

~DS

[Garoth Moulinoski]

I watched it the other day (you're the one who told me about it). He was surprisingly good at it.

Spoiler

He only failed one challenge, but then again, it was the one challenge I couldn't understand what goal was

[close]

The games in the GCCX game aren't that tough, though. Although now I know how to complete that first game... Oh, and they all suck at Rally King. :/

[DarknessSavior]

I watched it the other day (you're the one who told me about it). He was surprisingly good at it.

Spoiler

He only failed one challenge, but then again, it was the one challenge I couldn't understand what goal was

[close]

The games in the GCCX game aren't that tough, though. Although now I know how to complete that first game... Oh, and they all suck at Rally King. :/

Spoiler

The goal was the same as the other Haggleman game. You had to get a secret character to show up. But in this case, the way you do it is so difficult, and you have to beat the ENTIRE game that way, Arino couldn't do it.

[close]

~DS

[Garoth Moulinoski]

I had a feeling the goal was the first part but when he kept failing, I started getting confused over what it was. Thanks for clearing that up.

[fairdenizen]

Favorite episodes are Battletoads and Another World. Seen'em all, but tend to stay away from the smaller 10-20 minute episodes.

[DarknessSavior]

Seen'em all, but tend to stay away from the smaller 10-20 minute episodes.

Oh? What for?

And yes. Battletoads was amazing. Though the Japanese version of the game is much easier.

~DS

[SargeSmash]

I never knew that about Battletoads.  Fascinating.

[geishaboy]

The DVD boxed sets are crazy expensive and have only have a few episodes per disc

I still want the  though

[DarknessSavior]

The DVD boxed sets are crazy expensive and have only have a few episodes per disc

I still want the  though

How much, how many discs and how many episodes per disc? 'Cuz the one we got in English is four discs, with 2-4 episodes per disc. $60.

~DS

[Garoth Moulinoski]

On Rakuten, each each is around $60. Their running time is ~125 minutes. Considering that our only English set is 800 minutes, yeah, they're expensive.

[DarknessSavior]

On Rakuten, each each is around $60. Their running time is ~125 minutes. Considering that our only English set is 800 minutes, yeah, they're expensive.

That can't be right. Wikipedia says they get 7 challenge segments and an Arcade trip. That's about half of what we got. Which is still expensive as hell. But still.

~DS

[Garoth Moulinoski]

You're right. Each set has two volumes. They're ~125 minutes each. Therefore, in total, ~250 minutes in total. Still less than our version.

[DSwizzy145]

so far my favorite episodes i've adored were Umihara Kawasa, Ultraman, Ultra Seven, Septerion (i say the Japanese version is better) and a few others i can't remember atm :p lol


P.S forgot and Clock Tower were my top favorites too

[Lariria]

Yeah, GCCX is just godly TV.

[granz]

What? No ActRaiser 2? No Dark Souls? Maybe he's close enough to the edge already.