Game Center CX
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
GameCenter CX (ゲームセンターCX) is a Japanese television series where Shinya Arino, a member of comedy duo Yoiko, plays Japan's most 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's supported by his Assistant Directors (herein referred to as ADs) and Staff, both via moral support and actual gameplay.
He also gets the chance to interview game designers and to play arcade games occasionally.
There are four DVD sets out so far in Japan. The show is currently halfway through its 8th season. It has been going since 2003.
Contents |
[edit] Feel of the show
Arino is presented as an employee of the Game Center CX Company.
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. The phrase Arino says right before turning on the console, kachou ON!, is actually referring to his status as section manager of the (albeit fictional) aforementioned "company."
| 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.
In the last episode of season 7, Bandai Namco President Ishikawa made Arino an honorary employee of BNG and presented Arino with a Company card.
[edit] ADs
- 東島真一郎 - Toujima Shinichirou - Season 1
- 笹野大司 - Sasano Hiroshi - Season 2
- 浦川瞬 - Urakawa Shun - Seasons 3-4
- 井上侑也 - Inoue Yuuya, a.k.a. イノコMAX (Inoko MAX) - Seasons 5-6
- 高橋佐知 - Takahashi Sachi a.k.a. 名人 (Meijin) - Season 7
- 鶴岡丈志 - Tsuruoka Takeshi - Season 8
[edit] Miscellaneous staff
- 阿部浩一 - Abe Kouichi - Cameraman
- 岐部昌幸 - Kibe Masayuki - Art Director
- 菅剛史 - Kan Takashi - Producer, Narrator
[edit] 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 really cheap-o junk food to his left to snack on. A 'true gamer experience' perhaps?
- Many of the food items in later episodes are sent in from fans. Arino really enjoys kusashisuika, which are skewered vinegar-soaked squid.
[edit] Music
- The song used during Arino's arcade field trip adventures is called 異国のしらべ from HEAT WAVE.
[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 Chōsenjō - 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. 2 (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 Zetton)
- #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 (Fam) (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 - Yokai Douchuuki - 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 (SFam) (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 - SOS - (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] 7th Season
(the season changes from Dark King to King. The Dark King makes a brief reappearance in #53)
- #45 - ウルトラセブン - Ultraseven - (SFam) (cleared ending)
- #46 - ロックマン - Rockman - Megaman - (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #47 - ワギャランド - Wagyan Land - (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #48 - アウターワールド - Outer World - Out Of This World - (SFam) (cleared ending)
- #49 - がんばれゴエモンゆき姫救出絵巻 - Ganbare Goemon: Yukihime Kyuushutsu Emaki - Legend of the Mystical Ninja - (SFam) (failed to clear 7th level)
- #50 - Trip to Korea (no particular game this week)
- #51 - 六三四の剣 ただいま修行中 - Musashi no Ken - Tadaima Shugyou Chuu - (Fam) (cleared ending and 3/2 win on vs)
- #52 - 超魔界村 - Chō Makaimura - Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts - (SFam) (cleared ending)
- #53 - クロックタワー - Clock Tower: The First Fear - (SFam) (cleared 'S' "best" ending)
- #54 - カイの冒険 - Kai no Bouken: The Quest of Ki - (Fam) (reached the 79th level//game to be continued at the start of 8th Season)
[edit] 8th Season
- #55 - カイの冒険 - Kai no Bouken: The Quest of Ki - (Fam) (reached the 98th level//Give up and play later)
- #56 - フラッシュバック - Flashback - (SFam) (cleared ending//with a lot of help from the new AD)
- #57 - ビックリマンワールド - Bikkuriman World: Gekitou Sei Senshi - (PC Engine) (cleared ending)
- #58 - 仮面の忍者 花丸 - Kamen no Ninja Hanamaru - Yo! Noid - (Fam) (cleared ending)
- #59 - スーパーファンタジーゾーン - Super Fantasy Zone - (Genesis) (failed to clear ending)
- Live Event 2007 - カイの冒険 - Kai no Bouken: The Quest of Ki - (Fam) (finally cleared ending after 9 hours at live event)
- #60 - PC原人 - PC-Genjin - Bonk's Adventure - (PC Engine) - (cleared ending after having to start over due to a bug)
- #61 - 東海道五十三次 - Toukaidou Gojuusan Tsugi (Famicom) - (failed to clear ending)
- #62 - 悪魔城すぺしゃる ぼくドラキュラくん - Kid Dracula (Famicom) - (cleared ending)
- #63 - クインティ - Mendel Palace (Famicom) - (cleared ending)
[edit] 9th Season
- 06/18/2008
[edit] DVDs
There have been four DVD sets put out. Each one contains key episodes. They are not season compilations.
- 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).
- DVD-Box Vol. 4 (released 12,21,2007)
- Games Featured
- Yokai Douchuuki／Street Fighter 2／Mighty Bomb Jack／Septentrion／Umihara Kawase／Bomberman
[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
- Kyoto Ryu no Tera Satsujin Jiken
[edit] Video game
At the end of the 6th Season, it was announced that there were plans to make a Game Center CX video game. The game, entitled Game Center CX: Arino's Challenge (ゲームセンターCX 有野の挑戦状 Game Center CX: Arino no Chōsenjō?), 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.[1]
