The BEST episodes of GameCenter CX season 11
Every episode of GameCenter CX season 11, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of GameCenter CX season 11!
GameCenter CX (domestically imported as Retro Game Master) is a Japanese television series where Shinya Arino, a member of comedy duo Yoiko, plays Japan's most popular classic video games and records his progress. From shooters (his worst genre) to puzzles (his best) and anything in between, Arino tackles an amazing variety of games. He is supported by his Assistant Directors (ADs) and staff, who offer moral support, tips and tricks, and occasionally take the controller and play themselves. He also gets the chance to interview game designers and to visit arcades all over Japan.
#1 - Rockman 3: Dr. Wily no Saigo!? (Mega Man 3) (2)
Season 11 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/24/2009
Arino was damned if he was going to let all of his hard work go to waste in making it to the final stages of Mega Man 3 and so the challenge enters part 2. It will be an uphill battle as Arino fights some of the hardest bosses in the series including version 2.0 of an old favorite, Just like last episode, today's TamaGe is in Itabashi, but this time the show is visiting the 10 yen game museum. As the name implies the museum is filled with mechanical and amusement machines that are only 10 per play. We learn that jumping in Adventure Island contains lessons applicable to us all in Everything Important In Life, I Learned From Video Game Guides.
#2 - Hoshi no Kirby: Yume no Izumi no Monogatari (Kirby’s Adventure)
Season 11 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/13/2009
Kirby's Adventure, the NES sequel to the Game Boy exclusive Kirby's Dream Land, is Arino's latest challenge. The sequel truly defined what a Kirby game was when it introduced the ability to take on enemy abilities and Arino will have to make full use of this power if he hopes to prevent Dream Land from slipping into a nightmare. The latest TamaGe tip-off sets Arino's sights on Okawa Store, a candy store adored by children for more than 50 years. While the store has a couple of very cheap arcade machines outside the goods inside are the main attraction. When Arino is done flicking through some nostalgic sticker cards he sits down to indulge in some monjayaki with Nakayama. The strategy guide for Solomon's Key gives guidance on keeping ones hopes and dreams alive in Everything Important In Life, I Learned From Video Game Guides.
#3 - Lemmings (Live Show Recap)
Season 11 - Episode 12 - Aired 9/21/2009
All roads lead to this. It's the 24 Hour Lemmings Challenge Documentary Spectacular! This documentary special follows all aspects of the production on the day, starting from when Arino first arrived at Fuji TV HQ and leaving off shortly after the conclusion of the challenge. Not only do we get to see the behind the scenes stress of Kan, Kibe and the rest of the staff but a number of special interludes that were used to break up the monotony. These include some surprise guests, Abe's wonderful cooking and a tour of the hall of faxes. Then there was the challenge itself which turned out to be one of the closest in the history of the show and left everyone involved on the edge of their seats as it seemed that it could have easily gone either way.
#4 - Punch-Out!!
Season 11 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/5/2009
It's time for Arino to get his lights knocked out by Punch-Out!! The game was only released in Japan sans Mike Tyson and as a prize in a tournament so the challenged cartridge comes in fancy gold plating. Don't think Mr. Tyson's absence will make this challenge any easier as Arino tries to prove he's a true contender. The Tower Of Druaga proves to be an endless well of wisdom in Everything Important In Life, I Learned From Video Game Guides. This episode also features a discussion between Abe, Kibe, Arino and director Fujimoto on the subject of the upcoming 24 hour challenge.
#5 - Layla
Season 11 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/29/2009
Layla, an obscure game with misleading box art, is the subject of today's challenge. With only eight stages perhaps Arino will be able to see it through but he's had trouble with less in the past. Today's TamaGe takes to the air when Arino takes a cable car to the top of Mount Nokogiri to visit the arcade at the summit. When he arrives he partakes in a bit of mole whacking and shares a meal with Watanabe. In a new segment for season 11, four members of the show's staff are given a life lesson by a priest based on the hidden teachings found in strategy guides. This convoluted setup has an equally impressive title, Everything Important In Life, I Learned From Video Game Guides, and the strategy guide for this episode belongs to Mother.
#6 - Dig Dug II
Season 11 - Episode 11 - Aired 9/9/2009
Air pump simulator, Dig Dug 2, is the subject of today's challenge. Being more of a puzzle game than straight arcade like its predecessor it's hoped that Arino will clear it, it does however contain a whopping 72 stages. Arino fills his stomach with a sesame seed ball before heading to a nearby toy store which is the location of today's TamaGe. While the store has a number of classic arcade game including Konami's The Simpsons the staff are quickly drawn to it's slot car circuit. Castlevania 3's strategy guide contains the only lesson you will ever need to learn.
#7 - Fukuoka Trip
Season 11 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/15/2009
In a special episode of Game Center CX Arino goes on the last leg of a promotional tour of Retro Game Challenge 2 to the home prefecture of a number of staff members, Fukuoka. Things start off with a stroll through a market on the way to Dazaifu Amusement Park which is home to a number of rides that Arino tries out with Watanabe. Then it's Abe's turn to team up with Arino when they try to take down an Ogre at a shooting range. Next stop is a bowling alley where Abe and Arino go head to head in a motorcycle race. The staff then have a little bowling tournament before ending the night with a nice meal. For the game tour itself it's a race against time as Arino and the staff attend fan events in Fukuoka, Osaka and Tokyo in the space of a single day. To prevent himself from getting carpel tunnel Arino doesn't give out the typical autographs and instead slaps down a hand print instead, much to the surprise of the many hardcore fans. There's also a follow up of sorts to the Cannes Special with the show now being sold at the Dubai Character Expo.
#8 - Rockman 3: Dr. Wily no Saigo!? (Mega Man 3) (1)
Season 11 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/10/2009
It's the third entry of a series Arino has a mixed history with, Mega Man 3. While generally not thought of as being one of the most difficult in the series, it is one of the longest and will push Arino's endurance to the limit. Everything Important In Life, I Learned From A Dog Eared The Tower Of Druaga Strategy Guide.
#9 - Battle Golfer Yui
Season 11 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/27/2009
Battle Golfer Yui is probably one of the most unique games ever made. It's part RPG, part adventure, and part golf. In addition the new AD Emoto arrives to help Arino, and Arino ends up in a vs mode against the new AD, and the camera assistant Ban. For today's TamaGe we find ourselves in Itabashi and at a toy store favored by famed Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri. Once inside it's easy to see why with its large collection of mint in box retro games. 53 Stations Of The Tokaido actually contains an important life lesson in this instalment of Everything Important In Life, I Learned From Video Game Guides.
#10 - Golden Axe
Season 11 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/26/2009
For the first time since Final Fight, Arino is given another beat-em-up to play: Sega’s Golden Axe for the Mega Drive/Genesis. Taking control of either Gilius the dwarf, Tyris the amazon, or Ax Battler the barbarian, Arino must get through all eight stages and defeat Death Adder. Arino heads to a rooftop arcade in today's TamaGe that features both rides and games. The first game Arino plays is a Dragonball Z card battler before he gets cosy with Suda and Watanabe in a Sonic themed police car. It turns out that the Ninja Hattori strategy guide will provide you with everything you need to know in life.
#11 - Genpei Touma Den (Genji and the Heike Clans)
Season 11 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/22/2009
Arino must traverse the Japanese underworld as he challenges The Genji And The Heike Clans. The settings is appropriate as this will ultimately prove to be one of the more difficult challenges in recent memory. In a short bit a Game Center CX news, we follow the themed Space Invaders machine as it travels Japan. The wisdom imparted from Everything Important In Life, I Learned From Video Game Guides comes from Bomberman this week.
#12 - Super Gussun Oyoyo
Season 11 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/8/2009
While puzzle games are traditionally Arino's strong suit, Super Gussun Oyoyo has a little twist. It's a block based puzzle game but you are using those blocks in order to guide an AI controlled Gussun to the exit of each stage. Arino will have to keep the little fella in one piece if he hopes to see the ending. Things get crazy at Miracle In, the location for today's TamaGe. But before things get too wacky, Arino partakes in a bit of magnetism and the thrill of reading technical manuals. Everything Important In Life, I Learned From Video Game Guides teaches us that Starship Hector contains an important message about overcoming our fears.