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S30 E10 · Cyborg Ninja "Hagane: The Final Conflict" (#426)
GameCenter CX is a comedy TV series that premiered on Fuji TV on November 4, 2003. It has 30 seasons and 437 episodes so far and is still airing new episodes. The latest episode, Season 30 Episode 10 "Cyborg Ninja "Hagane: The Final Conflict" (#426)", aired on October 8, 2026.
Shinya Arino, a member of comedy duo Yoiko, plays Japan's most popular video games and records his progress as he works through a time limit, usually lasting up to one day. He is supported by his Assistant Directors and Staff, both via moral support and actual gameplay. He also gets the chance to interview game designers and to play arcade games occasionally.
Last updated
437 episodes · 30 seasons
2003 · 11 episodes · Last episode: 22 years ago
The CX in the title comes from JOCX, the call sign of Fuji TV. Arino's Challenge began as a short segment in Season 1. Interviews made up most of each episode. ADs (Assistant Directors) introduced in Season 1: Naoki Yamada (M1 only) and Shinichiro Tojima (M5 onward). ADs typically "graduate" from the show after a season or two, but old favorites often return in new roles or on special occasions.
GameCenter CX Season 1 release dates →
E11
Previously bested by Super Mario Bros 2 (SMB: The Lost Levels), Arino vows revenge. Staff involved in the Pokemon games are interviewed including Satoshi Tajiri.
E10
Arino is faced with the difficult challenge of beating Super Mario Brothers 2 for the Famicom Disk System. He first practices is skills with the original Super Mario Brothers before moving onto Super Mario Brothers 2; will he be able to beat the game? Or will he be defeated by one of Nintendo's own? Contains interview with Yoshio Sakamoto.
E9
In this episode Arino is faced with a 3 round Konami challenge. He must go through challenges on the games Yie Ar Kung-Fu, Gradius, & Konami Hyper Olympics. Features extensive interviews with developers (Shingo Takatsuka, Akira Yamaoka, and Toshiki Yamamura) behind the PES and Silent Hill series.
E8
Arino must trap six aliens at once behind one door in the Famicom classic Door Door. Featuring the game's creator, and Chunsoft founder Nakamura Koichi as well as an interview with Shinichiro Tomie.
E7
Can Arino blast every enemy in the arcade classic Galaga's first bonus stage?! Featuring interviews with Iwatani Toru (Pac-Man) and Endo Masanobu (Xevious, Tower of Druaga).
E6
During this episode Arino's challenge is to defeat Astro SASA! Will he surpass this challenge or give in? Contains an interview with Hiroyuki Sonobe.
E5
This episode centers on Hudson, featuring some of their hit games in the collection. The Challenge centers on Star Force where Arino must get the 50,000 bonus from Rarios; Takahashi Meiijin shows up to help Arino as well. Contains interviews with Akira Sakuma and Eiji Shio.
E4
Rather than center on one company, this episode of Game Center CX explores an entire game series: specifically, Sega’s Sakura Taisen. Arino challenges Sega's Roommania #203 for the Sega Dreamcast. Contains interview with Oji Hiroi.
E3
Arino enters the Capcom building in Osaka and meets his first interviewee: Keiji Inafune, the creator of Mega Man and Onimusha, among others. Then he interviews Hiroyuki Kobayash and Atsushi Inaba. Lastly, Arino takes a seat in the Fuji Multi-Theater for some extra-special playtime with Tekki (Steel Battalion).
E2
Arino visits the headquarters of Koei to speak with the two men behind the Dynasty Warriors and Nobunaga’s Ambition series of games. He then speaks to a PR representative about another of their popular series, Angelique before taking on the latest addition to the dating sim series, Angelique Trois. It's quite a change of pace from Arino's last challenge but that may work against him as he relaxes and opens his heart to his many suitors. Contains interviews with Kou Shibusawa, Takazumi Tomoike, and Tomomi Matsushita.
E1
In the first episode of Game Center CX, Arino visits Taito to learn it's history and play one of it's most difficult and cruel games Takeshi no Chousenjou. Upon first entering Taito he marvels at the Space Invaders machine. Tomohiro Nishikado, the creator of Space Invaders comes and discusses with Arino the history and impact of the game and they challenge one another to a game. After this Arino meets Akira Saito to discuss the Densha de GO! series. As the tour continues he finds out nobody from the original development team of Takeshi no Chousenjou is left so he meets Tetsuo Egawa instead to discuss it. To find out more about the legendary game he talks to Kazuhiro Hayashi who presents Arino with guidebooks for the game. Finally we see Arino tackle Takeshi no Chousenjou which includes various hilarious snippits of him getting frustrated at the game's bizarre challenges such as singing karaoke, and waiting one hour without pushing anything.
2004 · 10 episodes · Last episode: 21 years ago
Game Center CX was retooled thoroughly for Season 2. After a few months away, the show was relaunched in its new format. The「」quote brackets around the CX in the title were removed. Arino's Challenge was greatly expanded, becoming the main focus of each episode. TamaGe (trips) and Game Collection segments became regular features. Interviews continued through this season. Episode numbering started over in Season 2, and this official system has remained in place throughout subsequent seasons. AD introduced in Season 2: Hiroshi Sasano (#1, during the closing segment)
GameCenter CX Season 2 release dates →
E10
The season finale is on location at the Sun Hatoya hotel in Ito. Arino spends the last show in style. The challenge room is in a lovely suite overlooking the ocean. The TV and Famicom are all set up, and he even has a new ergonomic chair to sit in and play with the least physical stress. And the game? One of the most stressful of all: Super Mario Bros. 3. Contains season 2 outtakes with Okamoto, Suzuki, Kojima, Igarashi and Ebisu.
E9
Arino takes on the most popular game in Capcom's Mega Man series, Mega Man 2! Contains interview with Etsunobu Ebisu.
E8
Part two of the Prince of Persia challenge. The Western game completely hooks Arino in, but can he clear the game before the in game time limit?
E7
Shortly after Arino completed Solomon’s Key, Sasano steps in with a Super Famicom and offered Arino the next challenge: Prince of Persia. With no break in between, Arino begins the challenge. He must save the princess from the evil Jafar by completing 20 stages in under two hours. Contains interview with Koji Igarashi.
E6
What secrets are hidden in the many castle rooms of Solomon's Key? Arino takes control of the titular wizard and discovers the many wonders to be had in this difficult puzzle game. Arino travels to Matsudo to visit an arcade with a name fit for a boss, Mechman. Arino barely makes it inside before he finds himself fending off ninjas and flying into the Danger Zone. Arino then meets the creator of the much beloved game centric manga series, Game Center Arashi. Creator Sugaya Mitsuru discloses his favorite game and presents Arino with a gift to top off what is an informative and entertaining interview.
E5
Nintendo’s classic sci-fi game is thrust upon Arino this time, and his goal is not a very noble one. Inspired by a rumor, Arino hopes to clear Metroid as fast as he can, to see if heroine Samus Aran really does take her clothes off after a speedy clear. Contains interviews with Akira Sakuma, Takayuki Doi and Chisa Yokoyama.
E4
Konami’s all-star action platformer is the challenge this time. Konami Man and Konami Lady must rescue six of Konami’s heroes in their own game worlds. This time, Arino has the strategy guide right off the bat — two of them, in fact, thanks to the staff. Contains interview with Hideo Kojima.
E3
Arino tackles one of the scariest games of them all, Ghouls 'N Ghosts! At least it's not all doom and gloom as Arino continues his visit to the TRY Amusement Arcade. After encountering one of the more brutal game over screens Arino manages to recover to play a boat load of classic games but he still pines to get a chance at Xevious. Arino then speaks to one of the most revered game creators of all time, Sega's Yu Suzuki. They speak about a number of his cherished creations and even have a bout in Championship Boxing.
E2
Arino challenges "Challenger" for Famicom (1986). In a game that often changes the gameplay style, can he prevail? Meanwhile, he continues his search for the legendary sit-down arcade cabinet, Hang-On.
E1
Arino faces the challenging platformer for the NES, Atlantis no Nazo. Will Arino get the hang of its difficult controls and unforgiving level design? We follow Arino on the first ever arcade trip (TamaGe) to the roof of a department store where he plays a number of classic prize games before being introduced to his newest assistant director. Arino then conducts an interview with Game Republic founder and the creator of a number of classic Capcom games, Yoshiki Okamoto.
2005 · 10 episodes · Last episode: 21 years ago
E10
A few familiar faces return and present Arino with his final challenge of the season, The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past! Will Arino be able to finish a game that he claims is one of his favorites? In the stunning conclusion of Ring Ring Tactics Arino calls upon Kaayan who proves to be quite useless once again. Not all hope is lost however as another viewer provides valuable information which may be just what Arino needs.
E9
For this episode Arino challenges the much maligned Hudson classic, Milon's Secret Castle. This early entry in the action adventure genre has a bottomless bag of gotchas which Arino has to constantly be aware of if he is to conquer the labyrinthine castle. To give his thumbs the rest that they so sorely need Arino visits a bathhouse that happens to feature a couple of arcade machines. It's the perfect excuse for Arino to recharge his batteries before his next arduous challenge. Ring Ring Tactics moves forward after a viewer assists with solving the mysterious code before Arino encounters a new boss.
E8
We pick up right where we left off as Arino struggles to conquer Super Mario World. Watch as he ventures closer to Bowser's lair in what will prove to be the most dramatic episode yet! But if you can't handle all the stress you can calm your nerves with a little Ring Ring Tactics where we find Arino struggling to decipher a string of random letters.
E7
Arino's history with the Super Mario series is mixed to put it extremely generously. He hopes to rectify this when he challenges one of the true all time classics in Super Mario World. While some may view this game as a straight forward platformer Arino is sure to meet stiff resistance in this challenge. One of the holiest places in all of retro gaming, the mega store Super Potato, is the settings for this week's gaming excursion. Filled from floor to ceiling with classic games and systems, Arino is like a kid in a candy store. At long last Arino completes a missed connection in Ring Ring Tactics so at least this episode isn't a total failure in terms of progress.
E6
Based on the classic manga from Astro Boy creator, Osamu Tezuka, it's Hi no Tori Hououhen: Gaou no Bouken! The game features a mix of puzzle and platforming elements so we'll have to see if Arino's puzzling skills can compensate for his platforming ineptitude. There's also a TamaGe segment with a carnival vibe this episode. Arino enjoys the many games of skill available and has a chance to use his unique shooting technique as well as admire the owner's large collection of keys. After a disappointing last episode Arino hopes to make forward progress in Ring Ring Tactics by adding Sha Gojo to his party.
E5
In a brilliant piece of network synergy Arino will challenge the disk system classic, Doki Doki Panic. Originally a promotional tool for Fuji TV, Doki Doki Panic was very famously re-skinned and released overseas as turnip picking simulator, Super Mario Bros. 2. Ring Ring Tactics features a surprise helper from the past who attempts to help Arino move ever closer to his goal.
E4
In a series first this week's challenge features the licensed video game, Famicom Jump. What sets Famicom Jump apart is that it doesn't only feature a single licensed character but dozens which were popular in Jump Magazine at the time. Were licensed games always terrible? You'll have to watch to find out. For the latest TamaGe, Arino travels to a mystery arcade where the mystery itself is a mystery. When he's not scratching his head Arino finds some time to enjoy some Nintendo VS. action. And in the latest Ring Ring Tactics Arino actually begins to make some progress when he encounters a new companion on his journey.
E3
To celebrate his recent engagement Arino is tasked with beating the dating sim, Tokimeki Memorial. The staff hope that his gameplay will instruct lovelorn viewers in how to succeed in the art of love. Even after being presented with the strategy guide Arino boldly declares that he won't be needing it as he embarks on his quest to win the heart of Fujisaki Shiori.
E2
Arino's body is pushed to its limit as he challenges the power pad game, Attack! Takeshi's Castle Showdown. Based on the hit TV series of the same name, it stars the maniacal Beat Takeshi, who you may remember as the star of the eponymous, Takeshi's Challenge. To take a break, Arino visits a lovely convenience store in Odawara containing a number of addicting prize games. There is one prize game in particular that catches Arino's fancy and before he even has a chance to buy some candy, might end up bankrupting him. Arino continues his quest for glory in Ring Ring Tactics by trying to solve the mystery of the vanishing battle screen.
E1
Season 3 opens with Arino being officially "promoted" to Kacho Dairi (Deputy Section Chief). The first challenge of the season is Hudson’s Kato-chan & Ken-chan, for the PC-Engine. A quirky platformer starring a Japanese comedy duo, the game was localized overseas as JJ & Jeff.
2005 · 10 episodes · Last episode: 20 years ago
E10
In what could be the last challenge ever, Arino attempts to save the mythical land of Kid Icarus and rescue the goddess Palutena from the tendrils of Medusa. Along the way he'll have to berate shop keepers, deal with vegetable loving wizards and even battle death itself. Some may recall this store being the location of a previous TamaGe but this time is different. For this visit Arino is joined by the staff as they attempt to line their pockets by selling the games featured in the challenges for this season. Their true value will come as a surprise to all.
E9
In this episode, Arino returns to another classic NES game. This time it’s the fan-favorite Tecmo game Ninja Gaiden. With a victory here, he can bring his record for the season to a tie, but the Ninja Gaiden series is considered one of the hardest game series ever made. After some time Arino comes to the realization that it may be the hardest game he's ever played in his life... even harder than Ghosts 'n Goblins and Adventure Island! Arino pays a visit to a nostalgic little arcade with a odd name which is enjoyed by children and adults alike. There he discovers a prize machine filled with a cornucopia of pop culture icons and some strange decorations adorning the outer wall.
E8
Join Arino for the exciting conclusion of his Super Mario 64 challenge. Arino has it all ahead of him though as he takes on the games toughest levels to try to increase his star tally and open up the doorway to the King Of The Koopa's himself, Bowser. A new and exciting form of transport delivers Arino to this week's TamaGe location but that's not before he samples the local delicacies in Enoshima. Once at his destination Arino drives a virtual train before trying to trick AD Urakawa in a plan that quickly backfires.
E7
Arino had enough trouble with Mario when he was only 2D so let's see how he fares with an extra dimension in Super Mario 64. He'll have to conquer the highest mountains, ice cold tundra and searing heat on his quest to collect the required number of stars to face Bowser and save the princess. It's a bit of a special TamaGe this week as Kibe and Arino compete to get the best deal on games with only 5000 yen to spend. They both stretch their budgets a little to pick up a couple of games and Tojima makes a sudden appearance with the required gear for them to test out their purchases. The finale of Secret Jet Stream has a request for a steamy little number from the typically very serious Hokkaido Serial Murders.
E6
Another licensed game with a questionable pedigree, it's Doraemon! Arino will try and get this time travelling cat over the finish line and improve his overall record when it comes to challenging Hudson games. The first Game Center CX DVD box set recently went on sale and so we have a special report from the launch event. Arino, Tojima, Sasano and Urakawa were all in attendance to sign autographs and receive some gifts from the more ardent fans. It's another game store visit this week as Arino and Tojima visit Messe Sanoh CHAOS. Together they sample their large selection of import games including The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction and God Of War, which Arino takes a shine to. It's a classic hit from Super Mario Bros. for this week's Secret Trick Jet Stream.
E5
It's all hands on deck for the first quiz challenge in show history when Arino takes on Quiz: The Feudal Lord's Ambition. Hopefully everyone is up to date on their early 90s Japanese pop culture. Arino visits an arcade with the unusual gimmick of having games priced as low as 10 yen but soon finds that it's too good to be true. Arino doesn't sweat that detail though as he enjoys taking down kids in Virtua Fighter 4 and Final Furlong. For a change of pace things get loud on Secret Trick Jet Stream when a listener requests a hot jam from Raid On Bungeling Bay. Secret Trick Jet Stream quickly segues into Project: DVD as Arino announces the final details about the launch of the first DVD box set.
E4
One of the earliest SNES games is the challenge for this week as Arino battles with the unusual god/action game hybrid, ActRaiser. It may not be the game's difficulty and instead be Arino's tendency to be distracted that will be his downfall in this exciting challenge. This one goes out to all those Dragon Quest 2 adventurers out there in Secret Trick Jet Stream. Project: DVD has Arino answering a couple of viewer questions including what the DVD exclusive challenge will be and the design of the packaging.
E3
There won't be any Takahashi Meijin appearance to save Arino during his challenge of another Hudson classic, Adventure Island. Will the ADs be a suitable replacement for this brutally difficult game? An arcade with the unusual title of Amusement VIKING is the venue for this week's TamaGe. Things become even more unusual when Arino exhibits actual skill when taking on a prize machine before moving on to play some of the rare VS. Super Mario Bros. For Secret Trick Jet Stream Arino receives a request for an Ice Climber glitch. In Project: DVD the staff continue their discussion over what challenges deserve to make it onto the set. The challenge that they finally settle on was one of the longest in the show's short history.
E2
A new season brings a new genre to the table with the beat 'em up classic, Final Fight. Hopefully Arino can take back Metro City from the evil gangs which now control it. An amusement park dating back to 1850 might seem dangerous but not for the Game Center CX crew and not for TamaGe! The staff enjoy a number of the amusement rides before closing out with some regular arcade gaming. To slow things down a bit enjoy a Xevious request in Secret Trick Jet Stream. Project: DVD is a short little segment where Arino and a few of the staff discuss what challenges should be included in the first Game Center CX DVD box set. The first challenge to make the cut was an early classic for both fans and the staff.
E1
In this Season 4 opener, Arino challenges Ultraman for the Super Famicom! Having been promoted to Kacho, Arino sports a new blue suit and a cockier attitude.
2006 · 6 episodes · Last episode: 20 years ago
Arino begins his last challenge: Youkai Dochuuki (a.k.a. Shadowland), the PC Engine version of a Namco arcade game starring Tarosuke, a boy trying to make it through a land full of demons.
Arino's first adventure game challenge. As the valiant Sir Cucumber, Arino must rescue Princess Tomato and stop the evil Minister Pumpkin.
Arino's worst nightmare has come true, he must challenge the sequel to Makai Mura, and once again face the Red Arremer.
Arino challenges Bonanza Bros, a Mega Drive game about burglarizing buildings and hiding from the cops.
Arino challenges Konami's classic action game, and he doen't even use the Konami Code! AD Inoue a.k.a. Inoko MAX tries to aid Arino after his previous blunder.
Six months later, everyone’s favorite section chief arrives back on the scene. Due to Arino’s family commitments, season 5 is only a scant six episodes long, but it promises to be as entertaining as ever. His first challenge Umihara Kawase is a unique game, but his new AD Inoue might be more unique than the game itself.
2006 · 8 episodes · Last episode: 19 years ago
This time Arino tackles Bio Miracle: Bokutte Upa, a Konami Disk System game that was often pirated and sold as "Baby Mario.
The game this time is Septentrion (Vic Tokai’s "SOS" in America), a Super Famicom action-adventure taking place on a sinking cruise liner, the Lady Crithania.
Arino is given another PC Engine quizfest: Hatena no Daibouken, which features a Capcom character theme.
In front of a live audience, Arino tries to complete the game that he came close to clearing Mighty Bomb Jack. The immense pressure from hundreds of eyes watching his every move makes Arino and the staff much more susceptible to mistakes.
Mere seconds after the brutal Mighty Bomb Jack challenge, Arino gets up to leave, but is called to sit back down. He’s handed Red Arremer II (known in the west as Gargoyle's Quest II) for the next challenge. Arino finally gets to play as his enemy the Red Arremer, but in an almost ironic twist, this Arremer moves nothing like his old foe.
Arino has tried out many difficult games throughout the show, but his first Castlevania game Castlevania III, is probably not the best to try out first.
It's Arino's first fighting game challenge! Arino tries to clear the game but first he must find which of Street Fighter's iconic brawlers suits him best.
2007 · 10 episodes · Last episode: 19 years ago
The final challenge of this season is on-location, but rather than a fancy hotel, this time it’s at the headquarters of Bandai Namco Games! Today’s game: Namco’s Kai no Bouken! The second sequel to The Tower of Druaga; a side-scrolling platformer starring the princess Ki, whose magical powers let her float up through the tower.
Arino challenges the third and final game in the GnG series. With only 5 continues, he must defeat the forces of hell and rescue Arthur's beloved.
After returning from South Korea, Arino is given a choice of trying to clear one of 3 video games based off of 3 different comic book series. Taito's Sword of Musashi, Hudson's Ninja Hattori, and Bandai's Gegege Kitaro or Ninja Kid as it's known overseas.
50th Episode Special. In celebration of the 50th episode of of the show, Arino is leaving home and heading to South Korea! There he heads to many of South Korea's arcades, and interviews some of South Korea's pro gamers.
This time, with a pair of new shoes over his feet, Arino challenges another Super NES classic: The Legend of the Mystical Ninja, the first 16-bit "Ganbare Goemon" game; the wacky story of Goemon and his partner Ebisumaru as they try and rescue the kidnapped Princess Yuki.
Arino explores another forgotten Japanese action game: Namco’s Wagyan Land. Though clearly this is a game for little kids — it looks cute and colorful, and the boss "fights" are just memory and word games. This surely will be a cinch for Arino...
Two years ago Arino challenged Rockman 2, and though he got incredibly far, he just couldn’t quite get to that ending screen. But now he faces the original Rockman, arguably the toughest of the 8-bit originals.
Ultra Seven is the sequel to Ultraman, the game that opened season 4! And from the look of the game, it seems Arino’s in for yet another kaiju-driven hellride.
2007 · 9 episodes · Last episode: 18 years ago
Satoshi Tajiri, head of Game Freak and creator of the Pokemon series idolized Namco, and in the mid-’80s he and Ken Sugimori created their own Famicom game, Quinty, and managed to sell it to Namco. And at the end of season 8, Quinty becomes Arino’s next challenge.
Akumajou Special: Boku Dracula-kun (Kid Dracula) is a unique Castlevania spinoff starring Alucard.
The goal of The Toukaidou Gojuusan-tsugi is to guide the fireworks maker, Kantaro through 21 extremely difficult stages. The game's difficulty may prove too much for Arino to handle, and in an effort to help Arino AD Tsuroka ends up showing the staff his "singing" skills.
Arino attempts to clear Bonk's Adventure. In addition a recap of Arino's live Kai no Bouken Christmas Challenge narrated by Toujima is shown.
Despite his lack of skills with shooters, Arino must face the challenge of Super Fantasy Zone, SEGA's smash hit shooter series.
"Kamen no Ninja Hanamaru" is a ninja Famicom game from Capcom. However, it was released outside Japan and heavily reworked into the NES game Yo! Noid.
Arino takes on "Bikkuriman World", a port of Wonder Boy in Monster Land on the PC Engine with characters from the Bikkuriman sticker franchise featured in the game.
It was just a few months ago when Arino defeated the French classic Another World, and now he’s ready to take on another European classic, Flashback: The Quest for Identity. Flashback looks and plays very similarly, but with a greater emphasis on puzzle solving… and firepower.
A month’s rest leaves Arino ready and willing to finish the game he had to give up; Kai No Bouken.
2008 · 6 episodes · Last episode: 18 years ago
After three victories, Arino faces what could be his biggest challenge this season. The game before him is Namco/Falcom’s Dragon Slayer IV, known in America as Legacy of the Wizard. This action-RPG featurs a humongous mazelike dungeon, and a family of five, the Worzens, who must defeat the dormant dragon living beneath.
Not since Clock Tower has Arino played as a girl in a challenge game before, but this season we have The Madoola no Tsubasa, starring the female knight Lucia.
Arino must save America from being completely zombiefied in the cult classic Abarenbou Tengu (Zombie Nation) for Famicom.
Arino was hospitalized after he discovered an abcess on his lung. Returning to work for the first time, Kibe "interrogates" the Kachou. Afterwords Arino enters "recovery mode". The staff decides it would be cruel to subject him to a usual challenge so soon. So Arino casually plays Super Mario Bros, and ends the episode playing Dr. Mario's VS mode with AD Nakayama.
Aired while Arino Kachou was hospitalized. Arino and the staff head to the Cannes Film Festival in hopes of selling the show overseas.
2008 · 8 episodes · Last episode: 17 years ago
The game that AD Nakayama wanted Arino to try finally makes an appearance! Fatal Fury Special in addition to being one of Nakayama's favorite games, is Arino's second fighting game challenge. During the challenge Nakayama announces that this episode will be his last.
Arino couldn't beat half of Donkey Kong Country before he ran out of time in the last episode.
Arino takes on Donkey Kong Country. Though he finds the game fun and grows fond of it, it's brutal difficulty and limited save system may be to much for him to handle.
First Samurai is a platform game published by Kemco, but originally made by Europeans on Amiga. While it’s not particularly great, and only five stages long, the hope, as always, is that it will give Arino a good challenge.
Arino must assemble a team in hopes of defeating Yuuyu no Quiz de GO! GO!. Yuuyu is the nickname of Yukiko Iwai, a teen idol from the ’80s and early ’90s who was part of the musical group Onyanko Club and the host of the show this game is based upon.
Data East’s Chelnov was part platformer, part shoot-em-up: the hero, Chelnov, always runs forward. And while he can stop, the screen always scrolls forward anyway. Even as he looks at the screenshots on the back of the box, he knows this is going to be a hard one.
In the first episode of the new season, Arino tackles a game based on one of his favorite comic book series, Dragon Ball. Dragon Ball: Shenlong no Nazo is known for it's brutal challenge, can he clear it? He has the support of this season's A.D. Nakayama! Nakayama returns to the show for another season to help out Arino.
2009 · 12 episodes · Last episode: 17 years ago
At 10:00 A.M. on August 29th, 2009 Arino embarked on his second live challenge. With a time limit of 24 hours he will try to clear Lemmings on the "Taxing" difficulty level. This episode recaps the 24 hour special with some additional behind-the-scenes moments.
This time, Arino is playing a pretty simple game: Namco’s Dig Dug II for Famicom. Rather than a game of digging underground to burst enemies, Dig Dug II is a game of walking around an island to burst and/or sink enemies by destroying plots of land.
Arino’s back in the saddle, and this time he’s tackling the PC Engine game Genpei Touma Den, a Namco action game from the arcades. In it, the undead samurai Kagekiyo traverses a very bizarre-looking Japan as he defeats creatures from the underworld. With a not-so-linear progression, Arino will have to stay sharp in his journey to get to the end.
This action puzzle game has you moving and placing blocks in order to guide Gussun to the exit door. With tons of stages to get through, Arino may have his work cut out for him. Gussun is easily spooked by blocks falling too close to him, and otherwise can’t be pushed off an edge from too high.
Part 2 of the Mega Man 3 Challenge. After fighting not just 8, but 16 brutal boss battles, Arino heads to Wily's Castle.
Arino has 1 win and 1 loss in the Mega Man series, by taking on Mega Man 3 he will either overcome his losing streak or increase it.
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.
Hoshi no Kirby: Yume no Izumi no Monogatari, the bigger, bolder sequel to the original Hoshi no Kirby on Game Boy. It’s not a terribly hard game for most, but it can be lengthy, and regardless, there are tricky bosses in the latter half that may or may throw Arino for a loop.
LayLa must rescue her partner from the enemy base through eight stages that Arino has to get through.
The Game Center CX staff head to Fukuoka, the hometown of Cameraman Abe, Urukawa, and Inoko MAX, to promote GCCX's second DS game and meet fans. Along the way Arino visits two game centers with the staff.
2009 · 11 episodes · Last episode: 16 years ago
It’s the 100th episode of Game Center CX! And his challenge game: Wrecking Crew. The Famicom action puzzle game from Nintendo stars Mario as a demolition worker who must use his hammer to bust down all the stone walls and ladders in the game’s stages — 100 stages, incidentally.
Today it's Rainbow Islands from Taito, the first sequel to Bubble Bobble. In it, the dinosaurs-turned-humans Bubby and Bobby must rescue a princess, and rather than blowing bubbles, the boys shoot rainbows that they can use to climb up the levels.
Arino takes to the sky with Pilotwings, the Super Famicom launch game that’s now almost 20 years old! This "sky sports simulation" features a variety of flying machines that the player uses to complete various challenges.
Part 2 of the Ninja Gaiden II challenge. Arino continues to fight his way through the brutal game. In order to help him, Tojima returns with multiple AD's from past and present at his side. It will take the all of their combined power to finally put an end to Jaquio.
Four years after tackling the original Ninja Ryukenden (Ninja Gaiden), our hero is forced to endure that game’s sequel: Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos.
Game Center CX returns for 2010 with the Famicom sci-fi action game 2010 Street Fighter. SF2010 tells the story of bionic warrior Kevin (or Ken in the English version), tasked with defeating some bionic menaces over several planets.
Unsurprisingly, Fushigi no Dungeon 2 left Arino beaten and bruised beyond recognition last time. His attempt to get through all 30 "floors" of the game’s dungeons fell pretty short of that number. It was a learning process the entire way, as Arino’s mistakeshd grave consequences — having to start all over with nothing.
Fushigi no Dungeon 2: Furai no Shiren (Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer) is a "roguelike" dungeon crawler, where death is swift and frequent.
For this episode, Arino takes on an original Famicom "classic," Vic Tokai’s Kakefu-kun no Jump Tengoku Speed Jigoku, which came out internationally as "Kid Kool." Kakefu-kun was a real-life kid celebrity, and his game looks like a regular platformer, with seven worlds to complete.
Arino returns to his post, and for the start of the twelfth season, he’s playing Dragon Buster, Namco’s Famicom port of their arcade game. Arino must take the brave young hero through 12 worlds ("Rounds"), each dotted with dungeons, which are filled with monsters of all kinds.
2010 · 6 episodes · Last episode: 16 years ago
Horii’s game career began in 1983, but before that, he was kicking around as a freelance writer. But his love of games led him to enter an Enix game design contest in 1982, the same contest that Koichi Nakamura, another part of the Dragon Quest team, would enter. Horii’s entry was a game called Love Match Tennis. Both his and Nakamura’s games ended up published, and from there, Horii was in it to win it.
From the creator of Dragon Quest, comes this adventure game. As a detective you must find out who is behind a series of murders in Hokkaido and stop them.
Arino’s challenge for this episode: GeGeGe no Kitaro: Fukkatsu! Tenma Daioh (Resurrection of the King of Demons) for the Super Famicom, the third Kitaro game and a pretty standard platformer. Arino must get through all 19 stages before seeing the ending; no small number for him.
Koshien takes its name after Koshien Stadium, the regular home of Japan’s National High School Baseball Championship. All Arino has to do is complete the tournament in the game, a six-team gauntlet. For the occasion, AP Ishida will be keeping score, and AD Katayama follows by giving Arino a baseball cap.
Arino challenges Super Puyo Puyo on the hardest difficulty, but it may prove to be to difficult even for the self proclaimed puzzle kacho.
Arino’s tasked with conquering Golgo 13 for Famicom, better known to English-speaking countries as Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode for NES. And coincidentally enough, it has 13 arduous stages for the kacho to try to get through as he assumes the role of the manga super spy for the first episode of the 13th season.
2010 · 10 episodes · Last episode: 15 years ago
The Tower of Babel is an action-puzzle game where you guide the big-nosed hero up the eponymous tower. Each level is filled with L-shaped blocks that must be placed so that Arino can reach the exit door.
Part 2 of the Mega Man 4 challenge, has Arino challenging the final 4 Wily stages.
Arinos 4th challenge in the Mega Man series, sees him battle a new foe... the mysterious Dr.
Arino recently played through the detective adventure Okhotsk ni Kiyu, and now he tackles another adventure, though this one is almost pure story: Kamaitachi no Yoru, Chun Soft’s Super Famicom visual novel.
Arino takes on this surreal side scroller, and makes amazing progess.
Arino challenged the original Star Force way back in season 1, and Super Star Force would make the second ever shooting game featured in full on the show.
Arino takes on one of the greatest games ever made, and luck may be on his side.
Jerry is turned into a slime by an evil magician who also goes ahead and steals the princess. For Arino, this means he must complete all eight worlds in this cute platformer before midnight.
Today’s challenge, Paris-Dakar Rally Special, is considered a bad one. It’s low-quality all-around, from a Famicom-era publisher (CBS Sony) that was never known for quality in the first place. It’s a racing game, of course — taking place in the real-life Paris-Dakar Rally — but calling it a racing game is not entirely accurate. You’ll see.
2011 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 14 years ago
Arino takes on SEGA's original mascot game, Alex Kidd in Miracle World on the SEGA Master System.
Arino seeks out the mystery in Tantei Jinguuji Saburou, a Famicom Disk System game involving the investigation of a murdered bar hostess.
Part 2 of the Battletoads challenge, Arino continues to struggle through the brutal difficulty of the game, but the fun factor seems to override the frustration factor.
Arino takes on the unique Western Side scroller Battletoads. Known in the west for both it's unique gameplay, and it's difficulty, Arino finds himself doing something he hasn't done in a while on the show...
Mito Koumon is a Famicom game sort of based on the long-running historical TV drama of the same name, featuring the old adventurer Mito Koumon and his band of followers. It’s an action adventure a little bit like the Ganbare Goemon games, but with more "adventure" — in other words, figuring out what to do half the time. Arino has to get through seven stage, which sounds promising, but it is a Sunsoft game, after all.
It’s time to challenge Saint Seiya: Ougon Densetsu, the first Famicom game based on the popular manga/anime Saint Seiya. It’s a regular action game with some RPG elements and loosely follows some plot-lines from the manga.
Arino’s challenge this time is Hiryu no Ken for Famicom, a simple action game from the company that would become Culture Brain. You play as a young man named Ryuhi, martial arts master trying to recapture the secret scrolls of the Hiryu-no-Ken. The game alternates between platformer stages and one-on-one tournament battles, and Arino must finish the world tournament at the end of the game to win.
Arino takes on a Mega Drive game, and it’s another well-regarded title: Strider, Sega’s port of the Capcom arcade game. It’s a relatively short game — just five stages — and not as brutal as, say, Ghouls ‘N’ Ghosts, but it still has its moments.
Hello! Pac-Man," known outside Japan as "Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures." is a cartoony action-adventure where you guide Pac-Man through a series of missions. You can only direct him using a slingshot to fire pellets at things he should pay attention to, or a secondary "look" command. There are only four episodes ("rounds") in the game, but this likely won’t be a jolly stroll for Arino.
Battle Formula is hard, rare and expensive, making Arino even more nervous making sure he beats this hefty investment.
Daisuke Nagashima, the shows former producer, reappears before Arino. Like the Arinos, he had a baby girl and so he looks to the Kacho for advice on how to raise a child. In Arino's 3rd PS1 challenge he takes on Quiz My Angel which is both a quiz game, and a simulation game in which you raise a daughter to adulthood.
With a zit on his nose and a new hair style, Arino faces Metal Storm on the Famicom, a gravity defying action shooter.
Kirby Bowl (Kirby’s Dream Course) isn’t a regular Kirby game — it’s a crazy hybrid of mini-golf and elements of pool, with Kirby being the ball, and needing to get through the tricky courses by destroying all the enemies and dropping into the hole at the end.
Arino takes on Sega's unique comic book styled beat-em up.
Jaleco’s Bio Warrior DAN was an action game that’s filled with weird imagery, and is also a bit confusing at times.
For the first time, Arino challenges a mini-game compilation title, Tant-R on the Mega Drive.
Arino's F-Zero challenge has been lowered from Expert to Standard difficulty, but even so it proves to be quite a hurdle.
In his early 20's Arino played F-Zero on SNES more times than he can remember, because of this Arino must clear all of the original F-Zero's courses on Expert difficulty.
The game that opens this new season is Sunsoft’s Gimmick! This platformer came at the peak of the Famicom’s life, and is a fantastic production both visually and musically. And though it may look cute and possess only six stages, it’s designed for platforming pros; a nice send-off for a system that more or less made the genre.
2012 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 13 years ago
In celebration of the 150th episode of the show, Arino tries out his 4th PS1 challenge, Parappa the Rapper. It is the first music game to be challenged in the show. However in order to master a game about rap, he must become a rapper.
Arino once again heads for the sky in this live episode, seeking to clear the expert mode of Pilotwings.
Arino goes for the gold trophy in the first of Captain Tsubasa's Famicom adventures.
Kattobi! Takuhai-kun is a strange game on the PC Engine where the player takes the role as a delivery boy. Arino sits on his trusty moped and hopes to get the package delivered in time, but many obstacles are in his way.
Arino continues his struggle with the detachable hero, Dynamite Headdy.
Dynamite Heady is the strange hero of one of Mega Drive's finest, and hardest, platformers.
Arino goes HIYA! in the first installment of the Super Chinese series on the Famicom.
2013 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 12 years ago
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In what is a first for the show Arino's challenge of Donkey Kong Country 2 was stretched into a third day. With only the last world standing between Arino and victory he'll be praying that this challenge won't throw up any more surprises than it already has. For this week's TamaGe Arino is tipped off about a miraculous toy store. First up Arino plays a class beat-em-up before speaking to the owner in order to discover the true nature of the miracle of which the postcard spoke. Arino will have to deal with a special guest who's quick on the draw if he hopes to guess the game in Famicom Sniper. This Project: Game Version 3 segment brings us what will undoubtedly be the first of many production meetings to discuss ideas for the third Retro Game Challenge title.
E7
After starting his Donkey Kong Country 2 challenge brimming with confidence Arino was quickly brought back to earth in the way only Rare games know how to do. With some 'words of encouragement' given by AD Matsui this is a quest Arino feels he must complete. A short GCCX News segment brings us to a press conference where a number of exciting announcements were made regarding the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the show. The size of Arino's ice cream is directly proportional to the size of the announcement so you know today's ice cream break is going to bring big news. Two suspicious fellows exchange a white package in the middle of a busy intersection but it's not the plot of a crime thriller, it's Famicom Sniper.
Season 17 is a special season, the 10th anniversary season! In the first episode of this special season, Arino plays his first Disney game, the Capcom-made Magical Quest for the SNES.
2014 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 11 years ago
2015 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 10 years ago
2016 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 9 years ago
2017 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 8 years ago
2018 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 7 years ago
2019 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 6 years ago
2020 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 5 years ago
2021 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 4 years ago
2022 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 3 years ago
2023 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 2 years ago
2024 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 1 year ago
2025 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 7 months ago
2026 · 10 episodes · Last episode: 1 month ago
A date for the next episode of GameCenter CX hasn't been announced yet. Follow GameCenter CX in the Streambay app and you'll be notified as soon as a new episode airs.
The most recent episode of GameCenter CX, Season 30 Episode 10 "Cyborg Ninja "Hagane: The Final Conflict" (#426)", aired on October 8, 2026.
GameCenter CX has 30 seasons with 437 episodes in total.
GameCenter CX first aired on Fuji TV on November 4, 2003.
Download the Streambay app, follow GameCenter CX, and you'll get a push notification the moment each new episode is released.
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