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Season 1 Plot

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 aired on November 4th, 2003.

Season 1 Episodes

1. Taito: Takeshi no Chousenjou (Takeshi's Challenge)

November 4th, 20031 hr

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.

2. Koei: Angelique Trois

November 18th, 20031 hr

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.

3. Capcom: Tekki (Steel Battalion)

December 2nd, 20031 hr

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).

4. Sega: Roommania #203

December 16th, 20031 hr

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.

5. Hudson: Star Force

January 13th, 20041 hr

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.

6. ASCII: Astro Robo SASA

January 27th, 20041 hr

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.

7. Namco: Galaga

February 10th, 20041 hr

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).

8. Chunsoft: Door Door

February 24th, 20041 hr

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.

9. Konami: Yie Ar Kung-Fu, Gradius, and Track & Field

March 10th, 20041 hr

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.

10. Nintendo - Super Mario Brothers 2 - The Lost Levels (Part 1)

March 31st, 20041 hr

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.

11. Nintendo - Super Mario Brothers 2 - The Lost Levels (Part 2)

May 30th, 20041 hr

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.

All Seasons

Season 28

Season 28

Apr 25, 2024
Season 27

Season 27

Apr 27, 2023
Season 26

Season 26

Apr 28, 2022
Season 25

Season 25

Apr 22, 2021
Season 24

Season 24

Apr 16, 2020
Season 23

Season 23

Apr 19, 2019
Season 22

Season 22

Apr 20, 2018
Season 21

Season 21

Apr 21, 2017
Season 20

Season 20

Apr 22, 2016
Season 19

Season 19

Apr 10, 2015
Season 18

Season 18

Apr 11, 2014
Season 17

Season 17

Apr 12, 2013
Season 16

Season 16

Apr 13, 2012
Season 15

Season 15

Apr 14, 2011
Season 14

Season 14

Oct 28, 2010
Season 13

Season 13

Jul 22, 2010
Season 12

Season 12

Oct 13, 2009
Season 11

Season 11

Apr 14, 2009
Season 10

Season 10

Oct 22, 2008
Season 9

Season 9

Jun 18, 2008
Season 8

Season 8

Oct 24, 2007
Season 7

Season 7

May 2, 2007
Season 6

Season 6

Nov 1, 2006
Season 5

Season 5

Jun 7, 2006
Season 4

Season 4

Oct 19, 2005
Season 3

Season 3

Apr 13, 2005
Season 2

Season 2

Oct 20, 2004
Season 1

Season 1

Nov 4, 2003
Specials

Specials

May 30, 2004