- Retro Game Challenge
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Retro Game Challenge 
Developer(s) indieszero[1] Publisher(s) Platform(s) Nintendo DS Release date(s) Rating(s) - ESRB: E (Everyone)
Retro Game Challenge, known in Japan as Game Center CX: Arino no Chōsenjō (ゲームセンターCX 有野の挑戦状 Gēmu Sentā Shī Ekkusu Arino no Chōsenjō, Game Center CX: Arino's Challenge), is a Nintendo DS game developed by indieszero and published by Namco Bandai Games. It is based on the television series Retro Game Master (known in Japan as Game Center CX). Shinya Arino himself gave much input into the game creation process. The game was released on November 15, 2007 in Japan, and in North America from Xseed Games on February 10, 2009. The game received a score of 33/40 from Famitsu. On February 26, 2009, a sequel, Game Center CX 2, was released in Japan. Despite good initial sales,[3] Ken Berry of Xseed has said that the North American release of the sequel is pretty unlikely, due to lackluster sales after its initial release.[4]
Contents
Basic Gameplay
In the game the player selects a boy or girl playing retro games to appease the Demon Arino (based on the TV show's host Shinya Arino). The Demon Arino gives four challenges (similar to the achievements or trophies of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) to complete for each game.
Each game is original, but with graphic, sound and game-play elements which make it look old, or retro. Many of them are similar in both gameplay and appearance to real Famicom games of those years. They come with fully illustrated manuals.
Occasionally there will be a fake gaming magazine, Game Fan Magazine, that has articles about the games, rankings (with other fictional games named), and "game advice" from GameCenter CX ADs who have appeared over the seasons of the TV show, or, in the case of the North American version, real game journalists under pseudonyms.[5]
Some parts of the various games are inspired by actual challenges that Arino has faced in his TV episodes. For example, the bonus character in the second half of stage 1 of "Star Prince" is taken from his attempt to get bonus points from playing Star Force in season 1. The various "special" continue tricks (like in Haggle Man) are from his attempts to play Mighty Bomb Jack and The Wing of Madoola as they too have secret continue tricks. Even the ending to the game pulls a trick from Takeshi no Chōsenjō from season 1.
Video games
The games presented are fictional games made specifically for GameCenter CX, although they are given fictional dates of release.
- Cosmic Gate
- Robot Ninja Haggle Man
- Rally King
- Star Prince
- Robot Ninja Haggle Man 2
- Rally King SP
- Guadia Quest
- Robot Ninja Haggle Man 3
Reception
As of June 24, 2009, Retro Game Challenge has sold fewer than 100,000 copies in North America. This was viewed as disappointing for its North American publisher, Xseed Games, discouraging them from also localizing the sequel.[6] Director of Publishing Ken Berry stated that sales were initially strong, but died down.[7]
Sequel
Game Center CX: Arino's Challenge 2 is the sequel to Retro Game Challenge (Game Center CX). Like the original, it largely consists of NES-styled games reminiscent of actual games released in the late 1980s through mid-1990s. However, this game also features games styled after Super NES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Famicom Disk System games, as well as variants on games included in Retro Game Challenge and a "game trainer" modeled after a Game & Watch. All together, this title has 15 games in one. It was released on February 26, 2009 in Japan. Despite its predecessor's initial good sales in North America,[3] Xseed Games has stated that US release of the game is pretty unlikely, due to the gaming community not catching enough attention.[4]
Video games
- Wiz-Man
- Demon Returns
- Super Kung Fu Fighting
- Detective Kacho Parts 1 & 2
- Guadia Quest Saga
- GunDuel
- Super Demon Returns
- Triotos
- Cosmic Gate (MASA-X version)
- Rally King ex
- Star Prince SA (Score Attack ver)
- Super Robot Ninja Haggleman: Koume Version
- Triotos DX
- Training Game "Kugure! Girijan MAX!
Reception
In an interview with Xseed Games President Jun Iwasaki, the Director of Publishing Ken Berry stated that an English localization of Game Center CX: Arino's Challenge 2 was unlikely, due to low sales numbers. Iwasaki stated that he was glad that they were able to localize the first title, but was disappointed with the sales. Iwasaki added that if the first title received a dramatic increase in sales, giving 100,000 as a target, they may consider localizing the sequel.[6]
The magazine "Game Informer" put it on their list of the best games of 2009.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "indies zero discography". http://www.indieszero.co.jp/work/discography/index.html.
- ^ Marvelous Entertainment USA and XSEED Games
- ^ a b "GoNintendo - XSEED happy with Retro Game Challenge sales thus far". GoNintendo. http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=75049. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
- ^ a b http://www.rpgamer.com/features/2009/road2e3/kingstoryinterview.html RPGamer.com interview with Ken Berry
- ^ "Retro Game Challenge parodies Dan Hsu". http://gonintendo.com/?p=63835. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
- ^ a b "The State of XSeed Interview". Siliconera. 2009-06-24. http://www.siliconera.com/2009/06/24/the-state-of-xseed-interview/. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
- ^ "Retro Game Challenge 2 localization unlikely". Joystiq. 2009-05-04. http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2009/05/04/retro-game-challenge-2-localization-unlikely/18650900. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
External links
Categories:- 2007 video games
- Namco Bandai games
- Nintendo DS games
- Nintendo DS-only games
- Video games based on television series
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