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Paakaa10
06-23-2011, 09:42 PM
Saw this linked by Owen Good of Kotaku and thought it was worth sharing.

http://kotaku.com/retro-game-master/

BACKGROUND

Starting next week, Kotaku will begin streaming new episodes of Retro Game Master, the Japanese TV series that forces comedian Shinya Arino to play Japan's most popular video games, largely from the 8-bit and 16-bit era, in marathon gaming sessions.

Kotaku's parent company, Gawker Media, has licensed the series, originally known as Game Center CX, and will air fresh episodes in English on Thursday nights. Game Center CX has produced 15 seasons of gaming content, with Arino playing through dozens of Famicom, Super Famicom, PC Engine and Mega Drive games.

The show also spawned two original games, one of which, Retro Game Challenge for the Nintendo DS, came to North America.

Retro Game Master will be featured exclusively on Kotaku every Thursday night, posting at 8pm EST, starting June 23, 2011.

EPISODES
Episode 1: Ninja Gaiden (http://kotaku.com/5814938/episode-1-ninja-gaiden?tag=retrogamemaster)

In this first episode of Retro Game Master, our hero, Shinya Arino, faces off against grueling Nintendo Entertainment System game Ninja Gaiden.

Released in Japan in 1988 on the Famicom to coincide with the release of an arcade game by the same name, Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden featured 20 levels spread over six acts and a final act that required beating three bosses without dying. It looks brutal, but Arino makes me want to go out and buy an NES just to give it a try again.

This classic hour-long episode comes from season four of the show, originally known as Game Center CX. This first official U.S. airing of the show uses dubbing for the announcer's voice and subtitling for Arino's.

morsdraconis
06-23-2011, 10:48 PM
That was awesome! Can't wait for more of those. Thanks for posting that Paaka.

Paakaa10
07-09-2011, 11:13 AM
Sorry for falling behind on keeping up with this; the arrival of NCAA Football 12 has taken up much of my time the past few weeks.

EPISODE 2: SUPER FANTASY ZONE (http://kotaku.com/5817256/episode-2-super-fantasy-zone)

In this second episode of Retro Game Master, our hero, Shinya Arino, faces off against Sega Mega Drive classic Super Fantasy Zone.

Released in Japan in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive and Europe a year later, Super Fantasy Zone didn't make it to the U.S. officially until it hit the Wii's Virtual Console in 2008. In the free-moving shoot-em up, players need to clear the levels by taking down enemy generators and finally the level's guardian. The game ends with a bit of a gameplay twist, but I'm sure Shinya Arino will keep his cool. Or will he?


EPISODE 3: BONANZA BROTHERS (http://kotaku.com/5819025/episode-3-bonanza-brothers)

In this third episode of Retro Game Master, our game-testing everyman, Shinya Arino, faces off against Bonanza Brothers.

Released in Japan in 1990 as an arcade game, Bonanza Brothers was later ported to a number of systems including the Sega Mega Drive. In the game, players take on the roles of brothers Robo and Mobo as they work their way through buildings stealing goods, avoiding guards and working their way to a blimp awaiting them on the roof.

souljahbill
07-09-2011, 06:56 PM
I'm one of the very few self-admitted Bonanza Bros. fans. Even though it's simple, I love that game.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

morsdraconis
07-09-2011, 11:48 PM
Awesome! I'll get around sometime soon to watching those too. This stuff is REALLY interesting to watch.

Paakaa10
07-15-2011, 02:02 PM
EPISODE 4: SOLOMON'S KEY (http://kotaku.com/5821189/retro-game-master-episode-4-solomons-key?tag=retro game master)


In this fourth episode of Retro Game Master, our game-testing everyman, Shinya Arino, faces off against Solomon's Key.

Released for arcades in 1986, Tecmo's Solomon's Key was brought to the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Master System, Atari ST and other consoles. In the game, players maneuver Dana through 50 or so maze-like rooms on the hunt for a key that opens the door to the next level. The Kacho's temperament will be tested as he faces off against a game that not only allows players to make a level impossible to finish, but also has no save points.

morsdraconis
07-15-2011, 03:38 PM
Wow, never played Solomon's Key and only a little bit of Bonanza Brothers. Those games look extremely difficult.

Paakaa10
07-15-2011, 09:12 PM
This is my new favorite TV show; even though it's not really on TV haha.

I've only played Ninja Gaiden from the episodes they've released so far, but even still it's really engaging to watch somebody play through games which were released so long ago. Watched 2, 3, and 4 this afternoon as a reprieve from "modern gaming."

morsdraconis
07-16-2011, 02:11 AM
I agree man. It's really good stuff. Wish there was more available of the old Japanese version of the show (Game Station CX) on the internet but just the first season, unfortunately. Haven't gotten around to getting it yet, but I definitely am.

Paakaa10
07-21-2011, 07:07 PM
EPISODE 5: CLOCK TOWER (http://kotaku.com/5823495/retro-game-master-episode-5-clock-tower)


In this fifth episode of Retro Game Master, our game-testing everyman, Shinya Arino, faces off against Clock Tower.

Clock Tower was released for the Super NES in 1995. Loosely based on Dario Argento's movie Creepers, Clock Tower is a point-and-click game that has players controlling the movements of orphan Jennifer Simpson as she tries to remain calm and evade her deadly stalker, the Scissorman. The game, considered one of the scariest made for the Super NES, has multiple endings.

morsdraconis
07-21-2011, 08:43 PM
Wow. Never knew of the SNES game, only the PS1 and PS2 games. Another awesome episode. VERY funny.

Paakaa10
07-28-2011, 08:09 PM
EPISODE 6: MIGHTY BOMB JACK (http://kotaku.com/5824528/this-thursday-retro-game-master-takes-on-mighty-bomb-jack)


This week on Retro Game Master The Kacho takes on Tecmo platformer Mighty Bomb Jack.

Mighty Bomb Jack was released in 1986 for the arcade and the following year for the Nintendo Entertainment System. In the game, Jack makes his way through a 16-level pyramid on his way to defeat the demon Belzebut and rescue a royal family. The game is packed with oddities, like a rule that punishes a player for collecting coins too quickly, hidden passages found behind Sphinx and time-extending magical potions.

morsdraconis
07-28-2011, 08:28 PM
FYI, you linked to the wrong thing...

http://kotaku.com/5825355/retro-game-master-episode-6-mighty-bomb-jack

Paakaa10
07-28-2011, 08:30 PM
FYI, you linked to the wrong thing...

http://kotaku.com/5825355/retro-game-master-episode-6-mighty-bomb-jack

Hey, screw you :P.

Kotaku was acting up for me when I put the link together; couldn't get it to give me the direct link, so I linked the "announcement" which has the video embedded at the top of it. Thanks for finding the true link!

morsdraconis
07-28-2011, 08:34 PM
Hey, screw you :P.

Kotaku was acting up for me when I put the link together; couldn't get it to give me the direct link, so I linked the "announcement" which has the video embedded at the top of it. Thanks for finding the true link!

:D

I didn't mean for it to sound like how I just read that... Sorry about that. The "..." made it seem like it was annoyed in tone or something (which I know you didn't take that way at all, but I still don't like it to be that way when it's not intended - especially for something as important as this ;)).

Interested to see how The Kacho tackles Might Bomb Jack. That game is incredibly hard.

morsdraconis
07-28-2011, 10:13 PM
Wow, he actually failed to beat it. I know that game is ridiculously hard, but wow, I didn't think he would fail to beat it.

Paakaa10
07-28-2011, 11:13 PM
Wow, he actually failed to beat it. I know that game is ridiculously hard, but wow, I didn't think he would fail to beat it.

If you spoil yourself and read the Retro Game Master Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retro_Game_Master), there are actually a good number of games that he doesn't beat.

The "Mighty Bomb Jack" episode is from Season 6; he actually tried the game two separate times that season, failing the first time (this episode on Kotaku) and then clearing it on a live show two episodes later.

morsdraconis
07-29-2011, 12:00 AM
Yeah. I wish there were translations of the show available because there are way too many episodes for Kotaku to actually get around to translating them all and watching him play those hard ass old games is very enjoyable (and seeing the frustrating of that makes me feel that much better in my own frustrating of beating my head against the unforgivable wall that is Catherine).

Paakaa10
08-04-2011, 07:28 PM
EPISODE 7: THE MYSTERY OF ATLANTIS (http://kotaku.com/5827283/retro-game-master-episode-7-the-mystery-of-atlantis)


In this seventh episode of Retro Game Master, our game-testing everyman, Shinya Arino, faces off against The Mystery of Atlantis.

The Mystery of Atlantis was released by Sunsoft for the Family Computer in 1986. In it, players control a boy named Wynn as he explores the mythical land of Atlantis and fights to defeat and ancient evil. The Mystery of Atlantis was developed to take on Super Mario Bros. and featured the ability to move in both directions across a level. The game also included multiple paths to get to the end of a level and enemies that could kill you with a single hit.

Paakaa10
08-11-2011, 07:33 PM
EPISODE 8: S.O.S. (http://kotaku.com/5830172/retro-game-master-episode-8-sos)


In this eighth episode of Retro Game Master, our game-testing everyman, Shinya Arino, faces off against S.O.S.

S.O.S. was developed by Human Entertainment for the Super NES in 1994. In the game, which was inspired by both the book and movie The Poseidon Adventure, players must escape the sinking ship Lady Crithania. The game has four players characters, a hidden timer and the levels rotate as the ship continues to sink.

morsdraconis
08-11-2011, 10:30 PM
:(

They need to stop translating episodes where he plays shitty games... That one was really poor...

Paakaa10
08-19-2011, 09:29 PM
EPISODE 9: BATTLE GOLFER YUI (http://kotaku.com/5832286/retro-game-master-episode-9-battle-golfer-yui?tag=retro game master)


This week on Retro Game Master the Kacho takes on Battle Golfer Yui, a golf game that it is more than it seems.

Launched in 1991 in Japan, Battle Golfer Yui follows the exploits of two normal high school girls who are drafted into a tournament thanks to their exemplary golf skills. Little do they know the mad Professor G is trying to take over the world...using golf as his cover.

Sure! Okay! Also, because it's a Japanese Mega Drive game, there are also some sort of magic points that can be used to invoke special abilities. Fore!

JBHuskers
08-19-2011, 09:41 PM
He needs to play Bible Adventures.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQnB5QrQWA8

morsdraconis
08-20-2011, 08:09 PM
Totally gonna watch this episode after I finish watching my 'Skins preseason game from yesterday. Completely forgot about this until yesterday and then I was so damn busy, I'm just now getting a chance to watch it.

morsdraconis
08-20-2011, 09:44 PM
I wish they would stop translating crappy games for this... It was cool to see him take on an AD and one of the camera guys in vs mode though.

Paakaa10
08-26-2011, 10:24 PM
EPISODE 10: 53 Stations of the Tōkaidō (http://kotaku.com/5834022/retro-game-master-episode-10-53-stations-of-the-tkaid)


This week on Retro Game Master the Kacho takes on 53 Stations of the Tōkaidō.

Released in 1986, Kantarō no Tōkaidō Gojūsan-tsugi is based on a famous set of ukiyo-e wood prints. In it players defeat side-scrolling enemies by throwing firework grenades among the pixelated Japanese landscape.

Paakaa10
09-01-2011, 09:40 PM
EPISODE 11: THE WING OF MADOOLA (http://kotaku.com/5836252/retro-game-master-episode-11-the-wing-of-madoola)


This week on Retro Game Master the Kacho takes on The Wing of Madoola.

Released in 1986 for the Nintendo Famicom,The Wing of Madoola is a side-scrolling action adventure tale of the Kingdom of Badham (nothing more dangerous than bad ham) and a magical statue that can bring peace to the world. So of course the Kacho will have to kill a lot of demons to bring peace to the land.

morsdraconis
09-01-2011, 11:21 PM
Best one yet and the game looks hella fun.

Paakaa10
09-17-2011, 10:32 AM
EPISODE 12: GOLDEN AXE (http://kotaku.com/5840350/retro-game-master-episode-12-golden-axe)


This week on the season finale of Retro Game Master the Kacho takes on Golden Axe.

Released in 1989 by Sega for the arcade, this high fantasy side-scroller beat 'em up later made its way to a number of different consoles. In the game players take on the role of a dwarf, a barbarian or an amazon as they journey through the world on a quest to kill Death Adder.

morsdraconis
09-17-2011, 12:49 PM
Awesome! I'll have to watch that sometime soon.