Game Center CX
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GameCenter CX is a Japanese television series where comedian Shinya Arino plays popular video games (a majority of which are Famicom games) and records his progress as he works through a time limit (usually 1 day per game... around 13 hours or so).
He also gets the chance to interview game designers and to play arcade games occasionally.
There are three DVD sets out so far in Japan. The show just finished up its sixth season. It is unclear if they will make a seventh. It has been going since 2003.
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[edit] Feel of the Show
Sometimes when he really gets stuck playing a game, one of the 'staff/interns' will offer their help to get him past a tough area. They usually stop immediately and let him continue on his own. Occasionally they will even ask if he 'gives up'.
The CX 'company' even 'promotes' the host depending on how well he does during the season.
| Season | Position | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Chief | |
| Season 1 | Deputy Manager | |
| Season 4 | Section Chief | After completing the whole 3rd Season |
| Season 4 | Deputy Manager | 4 losses in a row - Ultraman to Act Raiser |
| Season 4 | Chief | Demoted to prevent a fifth loss. Instructed to use his staff/interns more. |
| Season 4 | Section Chief | Promoted from a successful completion of Quiz Tonosama no Yabou |
To continue on with the 'Corporation' 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'... perhaps to inspire them to watch and encourage the host to do well.
[edit] Reoccurring Themes
- He often will apply adhesive 'cool pads' on his forehead. Sometimes he will write encouraging words on them to inspire him to do better.
- He has a large array of water bottles and really cheap-o junk food to his left to snack on. A 'true gamer experience' perhaps?
[edit] Games Featured
Japanese Spelling - Romanized - American Equivalent - System - Cleared or Failed?
[edit] 1st Season
(This season featured a game series or game company as its main focus with Arino's challenge game as a secondary feature)
- TAITO Corp. - たけしの挑戦状 - Takeshi no Chousenjou - Takeshi's Challenge (Fam) (game clear)
- KOEI CORP. - アンジェリーク トロワ - Angelic Trois (PS2) (fail)
- CAPCOM CORP. - 鉄騎 - Tekki - Steel Battalion (Xbox) (mission 1 clear)
- Sakura Taisen Series - ROOMMANIA#203 - Roommania #203 (PS2) (clear)
- Momotaro Densetsu Series - スターフォース - Star Force (Fam) (clear)
- Derby Stallion Series - アストロロボSASA - Astro Robo Sasa (Fam) (fail)
- NAMCO CORP. - ギャラガ - Galaga (Fam) (clear)
- CHUNSOFT CORP. - ドアドア - Door Door (Fam) (clear)
- KONAMI CORP.
- イーアルカンフー - Yie Ar Kung Fu (Fam) (fail set 1 of 3)
- グラディウス - Gradius (Fam) (fail set 2 of 3)
- ハイパーオリンピック - Hyper Olympic - Track & Field (Fam) (clear with help set 3 of 3)
- NINTENDO CORP.
- スーパーマリオブラザーズ - Super Mario Bros. (Fam) (fail)
- スーパーマリオブラザーズ2 - Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (the Japanese SMB2) (Fam) (failed first time/clear with help second time through)
[edit] 2nd Season
(episode numbering started with Arino's challenge games being the main feature)
- #1 - アトランチスの謎 - Atlantis no Nazo - Puzzle of Atlantis (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #2 - チャレンジャー - Challenger (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #3 - 魔界村- Makaimura - Ghosts & Goblins (Fam) (clear with help)
- #4 - コナミワイワイワールド - Konami Wai Wai World (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #5 - メトロイド - Metroid (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #6 - ソロモンの鍵 - Solomon no Kagi - Solomon's Key (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #7/8 - プリンスオブペルシャ - Prince of Persia (SFam) (cleared ending)
- #9 - ロックマン2 Dr.ワイリーの謎 - Rockman 2 Dr. Wiley's Revenge - Megaman 2 (Fam) (fail)
- #10 - スーパーマリオブラザーズ3 - Super Mario Bros. 3 (Fam) (fail)
[edit] 3rd Season
- #11 - カトちゃんケンちゃん - Kato Chan Ken Chan - JJ & Jeff (PC Engine) (cleared ending)
- #12 - 突撃!風雲たけし城 - Totsugeki! Fuuun Takeshi Shiro (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #13 - ときめきメモリアル - Tokimeki Memorial (PS) (cleared ending)
- #14 - ファミコンジャンプ英雄列伝 - Famicom Jump Eiyuu Retsuden (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #15 - 夢工場ドキドキパニック - Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #16 - 火の鳥 鳳凰編 我王の冒険 - Hi no Tori: Wagaou no Bouken (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #17/18 - スーパーマリオワールド - Super Mario World (SFam) (cleared ending)
- #19 - 迷宮組曲 - Meikyuu Kumikyoku - Milon's Secret Castle (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #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 (SFam) (cleared ending)
[edit] 4th Season
(the season changes from King to Queen)
- #21 - ウルトラマン - Ultraman (SFam) (fail to beat Z-Ton)
- #22 - ファイナルファイト - Final Fight (SFam) (fail)
- #23 - 高橋名人の冒険島 - Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Shima - Adventure Island (PC Engine) (fail to clear ending)
- #24 - アクトレイザー - Act Raiser (SFam) (fail to clear ending)
- #25 - クイズ殿様の野望 - Quiz Tonosama no Yabou (PC Engine CD) (cleared ending)
- #26 - ドラえもん - Doraemon (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #27/28 - スーパーマリオ64 - Super Mario 64 (N64) (cleared ending)
- #29 - 忍者龍剣伝 - Ninja Ryuukenden - Ninja Gaiden (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #30 - 光神話 パルテナの鏡 - Hikari shinwa: Parutena no Kagami - Kid Icarus (Fam) (cleared ending with 'mouse ending')
[edit] 5th Season
- #31 - 海腹川背 - Umihara Kawase - (SFam) (cleared to credits but failed to complete all levels)
- #32 - 魂斗羅 - Contra (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #33 - ボナンザブラザーズ - Bonanza Bros. (Master System) (cleared ending)
- #34 - 大魔界村 - Dai Makaimura - Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Genesis) (gave up/then was inspired to continue... and cleared ending)
- #35 - サラダの国のトマト姫- Salad no Kuni no Tomato Hime - Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #36 - 妖怪道中記 - Youkai Douchuki - Shadowland (PC Engine) (cleared ending)
[edit] 6th Season
(the season changes from Queen to Dark King)
- #37 - ストリートファイター2 - Street Fighter 2 (cleared ending with Dahlsim but went 2&3 vs staff)
- #38 - 悪魔城伝説 - Akumajō Densetsu - Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (Fam) (Password skipped level 7-5/failed to clear 3rd ending boss)
- #39 - マイティボンジャック - Mighty Bomb Jack (Fam) (failed to clear ending)
- #40 - レッドアリーマー2 - Red Alerma 2 - Gargoyle's Quest 2 (Fam) (fail to clear ending)
- #41 - マイティボンジャック - Mighty Bomb Jack (Fam) (cleared ending at this 12/23/2006 live show #41)
- #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 Hatena? no Daibouken (PC Engine CD) (cleared ending)
- #43 - セプテントリオン - Septentrion - (SFam) (failed to get 'good ending')
- #44 - バイオミラクルぼくってウパ - Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa - (Fam) (cleared ending)
[edit] DVDs
Three have been three DVD sets put out. Each one takes key episodes and are not a season compilation.
- DVD-Box Vol. 1 (released 12,23,2005)
- Games Featured
- DVD Exclusive For the DVD he played the Transformers game.
- DVD-Box Vol. 2 (released 6,23,2006)
- Games Featured
- DVD-Box Vol. 3 (released 12,22,2006)
- Games Featured
- Ninja Gaiden (Director's Cut)／Meikyuu Kumikyoku／Final Fight／Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Director's Cut)／Quiz Tonosama no Yabou／Contra
- DVD Exclusive For the DVD he played Twinbee (failed to get to ending).
[edit] Minor Games
These games were not played by the host, but were shown on their own with a short description and a video of gameplay (Separated by episode they were featured in). They are all Famicom or Famicom Disk games. If they are ever presented as a featured game in the show (like Mighty Bomb Jack was) then they will be removed here.
- Ikki, Toukaidou Gojuu-San Shi, Madara no Tsubasa, Mitokoumon, Hebereke
- Super Star Force, Argos no Senshi, Tsuppari Oozumou, Gekitou Pro Wrestling!! Toukon Densetsu, Tecmo Bowl, Radia Senki: Reimeihen, Gallop Racer*, Monster Farm* (*the only PS1 games featured)
- Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Mario Bros., Dr. Mario, Super Mario Kart* (*one of the only Super Famicom carts featured)
- Zippy Race, 10 Yard fight, Spelunker, Sqoon, Spelunker II: Yuushahe no Chousen, Kaiketsu Yancha Maru, Major League, Gekitotsu Shiku Battle, Super Express Satsujin Jiken, Meikyuu Shima, Pa-man
- Space Invaders, Championship Lode Runner, Antarctic Adventure, Chack'n Pop, Wrecking Crew, Elevator Action, Road Fighter
- Namida no Soukoban Special, Akumajou Dracula, Moero Twinbee - Cinnamon Hakase wo Sukue!, Hikari Shinwa - Palutena no Kagami, The Legend of Zelda 2: Link no Bouken, Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, Shin Onigashima: Kouhen/Shin Onigashima: Zenpen, Ice Hockey
- Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken, Deep Dungeon, Tobidase Daisakusen, Final Fantasy, Hanjuku Hero, Square no Tom Sawyer, SaGa 2 (the only GameBoy game so far)
- Gyrodyne, Hydlide Special, Nazo no Murasamejou, Argus, Gegege no Kitaro: Youkai Daimakyou, Kage no Densetsu
- Hyper Sports, Route 16 Turbo, Sky Destroyer, Kinnikuman: Muscle Tag Match, Pachicom
- Exerion, Formation Z, Field Combat, City Connection, Ninja Jajamaru Kun, Choplifter, Urusei Yatsura: Ram no Wedding Bell, Youkai Club, Moero!! Pro Tennis, Saiyuuki World, Moero!! Junior Basket, Moero!! Pro Soccer, Terao no Dosukoi Oozumou
- Tatakai no Banka, Dragon Quest 2
- Hiryu no Ken, Golf Japan Course, Pocket Zaurus: Ju Ouken no Nazo, Super Lode Runner, highway Star, Bomber King, Daimashikyou Galious
- Athena, Exciting Billiard, Moero!! Pro Yakyuu, Hokkaidou Rensa Satsujin: Ohotsuku ni Kiyu, Mirai Shinwa Jarvas, Hector 87
- Keisan Game: Sansuu 1 Toshi, Dragon Quest, Star Soldier, Toukaidou Gojuu-San Shi
- Yokai Douchuuki, Momotarou Densetsu, Hoshi no Miruhito, Dough Boy, Spy vs Spy, Jikuu (Toki) no Tabibito
- Superman, Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu, Zippy Race, Super Arabian
- Mississippi Satsujin Jiken, Aigina no Yogen: From the Legend of Balubalouk, Dragon Ball: Shenron no Nazo, Daiva
- Mashou, Fantasy Zone, Exciting Basket, Cleopatra no Mahou
- JJ, Rockman, Taito Grand Prix, Final Fantasy, Gegege no Kitaro 2, Metal Gear
- Romancia, Ucuusen Cosmo Carrier, Faxanadu
- Ripple Island, Gunsmoke, Jumbo Osaki no Hole In One
- Kamen Rider Club, Dragon Quest III, Napoleon Senki
- Nobunaga no Yabou: Zenkokuban, Omoikkiri Tanteidan Haado Gumi - Matenrou no Chousenjou, Golgo 13: Kamigami no Koukon, Fudo Myouoden, Dokuganryu Masamune, Double Dragon
- Sword of Kalin, Esper Boukentai, Minelvaton Saga
- Fuuun Shaolin Kyo - Ankoku no Maou, Saint Seiya 2, Kyuukyoku Harikiri Stadium, Rainbow Islands
[edit] Interviews
In the 2nd season he went to different companies and talked with producers and creators. Konami Corp.
- Talked with the creator of Ganbare Goemon
Game Republic, Inc.
- Talked with a game creator of SonSon.
Konami Corp.
- Talked with one of the creators of Metal Gear.
[edit] Moshi Moshi!
During this feature that ran during the 3rd season he played Super Monkey Daibouken and called people who wrote in for tips. He cleared the game.
[edit] Systems Featured
In the fifth season he played older systems.
Star Force, Girl's Garden, Hokuto no Ken, Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Outrun, Phantasy Star, Shinobi
- 3DO Real FZ-1
Jurassic Park interactive, Shock Wave
[edit] "Romantic Never Stops"
These are games featured in season 6 episodes where he plays a game with a female character in it, and then takes a picture of the character with his phone camera. The game is suggested by viewers who write in and the picture is usually 'revealing' but not necessarily 'H'. Usually the events are hidden or hard to find in a specific game and not expected.
- Magical * Taru Ruto-Kun: Fantastic World!!
- Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Shima
- Tsuppari Oozumou
- Momotaro Densetsu
[edit] Field Trips
Events where he goes out to either play the game or discuss the game with someone related to the game's creation.
The Tokyo Game Show
K-Game (an arcade machine dealer)
Super Potato
- Super Mario Bros. Special
Garden Parlor
- Roulette Man
DS Time (He is give 5,000 yen to shop with. The following are the games he buys for 5,200 yen)
- Taitai, Wario no Mori, Palamedes, Ninja Ra Hoi!, Home Run Night, Ucuusen Cosmo Carrier
Home Ground
- Family Jockey, Pac Land, Kinnikuman: Muscle Tag Match, Mario Bros.
Sugimoto
