Retro Game Challenge
Retro Game Challenge is a video game that consists of 2 releases
Reviewed on Feb. 13, 2009
Retro Game Challenge has some awesome concepts behind it, but it gets painfully repetitive in spots, which throws a wet blanket on an otherwise-charming game.
Read Jeff Gerstmann's full review
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Retro Game Challenge Trailer
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Retro gameplay based upon the Japanese TV show GameCenter CX. A unique universe is created where you must complete challenges by playing through all original games with a retro style.
Overview
Known in Japan as GameCenter CX: Arino no Chousenjou, Retro Game Challenge is based on the television series Retro Game Master. It was released on November 15th, 2007 in Japan and February 10th, 2009 in North America.Gameplay
Players select either a boy or girl avatar to compete in challenges given to them by the Game Master Arino.While each game is original, graphic, sound and game-play elements are tailored to make each game feel retro. Many games feel similar in appearance and gameplay to original Famicom games of that time period, complete with fully illustrated manuals.
The game's structure requires that the player pass a challenge before they can move onto the next one. Once all four challenges for a game have been passed, the next game opens up. Challenges are generally simple tasks, such as reaching a designated number of points or passing a level.
Freeplay
After clearing all four challenges for a game, the game becomes available in freeplay mode. In this mode, high scores and various other game data are saved and tracked. With the exception of continues, cheats are disabled in freeplay mode.Guadia Quest and Haggle Man 3 saves do not carry over to freeplay mode, and accomplishing goals in freeplay mode does not affect story mode.
GameFan
GameFan is a gaming magazine that young Arino reads. It features tips and cheats for all the games featured in RGC, previews for upcoming games, and sales charts that include the games featured in RGC as well as numerous other games that are not featured. GameFan's mascot is Larry T. Bird, a blue bird who appears on the cover of every issue.Critical Reception
Retro Game Challenge received mostly positive reviews from critics.Featured Games
- Cosmic Gate
- Robot Ninja Haggle Man
- Rally King
- Star Prince
- Rally King SP
- Robot Ninja Haggle Man 2
- Guadia Quest
- Robot Ninja Haggle Man 3
Cosmic Gate
Developed by TOMATO, released on November 8, 1984Story
While patrolling the M32 nebula, the Infinity receives a distress call from Earth. On the way back to Earth the Infinity is ambushed by humanity's sworn enemy, the Mass Insektors.
Cosmic Gate's bonus round
Gameplay
Cosmic Gate shares a lot of similarities with Galaga. Waves of enemies fly in and must be defeated. There are three types of enemies: pawns, guards, and bosses. Pawns occupy the bottom two rows, guards occupy the second and third rows, and bosses occupy the top row. Flashing pawns will open up a warp if shot before any other enemies, which can be used to skip levels. Flashing bosses appear every four levels, and drop a power-up when defeated. This power-up allows three shots to be on screen at the same time, with every third shot being a missile that can go through multiple enemies. When a missile hits multiple enemies, a multiplier increases the score for every consecutive enemy it defeats.When bosses dive at the Infinity they will often take one or two guards with them. Defeating the guards and then the boss will reward bonus points if they are defeated before they return to the formation.
Every fourth stage is a bonus round where the goal is to destroy as many asteroids as possible. At the end of each round the score is tallied and bonus points may be awarded.
Robot Ninja Haggle Man
Developed by Gears, released on September 13, 1985
Haggle Man in action
Story
The evil scientist Chingensai has kidnapped the princess and taken her to his Mech Hideout in Neo-Kichijoji City. Haggle Man, a product of Neo-Nippon's best scientist, embarks on a journey to rescue the princess. He is joined by Koume, Cyborg K9, and Little Zenmai; who can be called upon for assistance during his journey.On the fourth and eighth floor of the Mech Hideout, Haggle Man faces Dark Haggle Man, a robot built from Haggle Man's blueprints by Chingensai. On the eighth floor, Haggle Man faces off against Chingensai himself. After Chingensai's defeat, the princess is once again kidnapped and Haggle Man must replay through the same eight floors to reach Chingensai again.
After defeating finally defeating Chingensai, Haggle Man rescues the princess and they return home.
Gameplay
Haggle Man can run, jump, and throw shuriken. He can also enter doors, causing all onscreen doors of the same color to spin. Enemies are defeated by stomping on their heads or hitting them with a spinning door. Some enemies can be stunned by shuriken, making it easier for Haggle Man to stomp on their heads.Entering three doors in alphabetical order will turn all onscreen doors the same color, allowing Haggle Man to defeat more enemies at once and gain more points. Entering three doors in reverse alphabetical order will heal Haggle Man if he has been hit.
Trivia
- The Japanese name for Robot Ninja Haggle Man is Karakuri Ninja Haguruman. Haguruman is a combination of haguruma and man; haguruma meaning gear, and man representing a robot like in the Mega Man series. For the North American release XSEED opted for a more direct translation, as a North American publisher would have likely done 1985.
Rally King
Rally King's title screen
Story
Rally King stars Holland Mackray, who is competing in the World Rally Tour with the goal of becoming the champion.Gameplay
Trivia
- Rally King's main character Holland Mackray is named after the late rally driver Colin McRae.
Star Prince
Developed by TOMATO, released on June 3, 1986
Title Screen for StarPrince
Story
Gameplay
Star Prince's gameplay is heavily influenced by Hudson Soft's Star Soldier series.Rally King SP
Developed by SimpleSoftRally King SP is a repackaged version of the original Rally King given away to winners of a GameFan competition.
Story
After winning last year's World Rally Tour Holland Mackray has entered once again. This time though, he has Larry T. Bird and Inokichi Cup Chicken Noodles on his side.Gameplay
Gameplay in Rally King SP is identical to its predecessor. The mechanics have not changed, nor have the level designs. The only difference is the addition of GameFan and Inokichi advertisements between tracks.Robot Ninja Haggle Man 2
Developed by GEARS, released on December 10, 1986
Title screen for Haggle Man 2
Story
A year has passed since Haggle Man defeated Chingensai and rescued the princess. One day, a mysterious building appears in Neo-Nasu Kogen, and the princess is once again kidnapped by Chingensai. But he was supposed to be dead! So Haggle Man travels once again to Chingensai's new Mech Hideout to defeat him once and for all.Gameplay
Haggle Man 2 is not a huge departure from the first game. The game features larger levels with more enemies, and enemy reinforcements will appear after a time. Allies can now be summoned at any time when Haggle Man has three scrolls.As in the first game, Haggle Man will fight Chingensai at the end of the eighth level, and the levels will repeat themselves a second time. However there is now an all-new Wily-style boss battle against Chingensai at the end of the game.
Guadia Quest
Developed by Coelacanth, released on September 11, 1987
Title screen for Guadia Quest
Story
Long ago, a legendary knight used beings known as Guadias and brought peace to the land. After bringing peace to the land the knight went into seclusion. The world remained at peace for many years, with Heaven, the Underworld, and the land of men all co-existing in harmony.Centuries later, a dark power has emerged that threatens to destroy the peace established long ago. The king of Centraan has called upon the descendants of the legendary knight, who will have to use the power of Guadias to restore peace to the world once again.
Gameplay
Guadia Quest: Feast of the Mad King is an old-school RPG which takes much of its design from Dragon Quest.The main feature that sets Guadia Quest apart from other role-playing games from that era is the monster-recruiting system, which takes cues from Shin Megami Tensei. Creatures called Guadias can be convinced to join the player's party, which will occasionally aid the party by attacking enemies for massive damage.
Trivia
- The game's full title, Guadia Quest: Feast of the Mad King, is a reference to the Dragon Quest series and possibly Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord.
Robot Ninja Haggle Man 3
Developed by GEARS, released on July 21, 1989Story
It has been five years since Haggle Man defeated Chingensai once and for all. One day Haggle Man receives a message from Haggleman Lady, an agent of a secret organization, informing him of a national emergency. The three regalia, Neo-Nippon's national treasures have been stolen. It is said that the power of the three regalia can break the wards sealing the Gate of Darkness and unleash chaos upon the world. Haggle Man them embarks on a journey to retrieve the regalia, joined by Koume, Cyborg K9, Little Zenmai, and Haggleman Lady.Eventually Haggle Man learns that the individual behind the theft of the regalia, "Lord Dark" is actually Dark Haggle Man. After finally defeating Dark Haggle Man, Haggle Man learns that Haggleman Lady is also one of Chingensai's creations, and she challenges Haggle Man to a battle in order to learn what makes Haggle Man different from her.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Robot Ninja Haggle Man 3 is completely different from the previous games in the series. Haggle Man 3 is an action-platformer with open-ended level designs, taking inspiration from games such as Metroid and Ninja Gaiden.The game consists of three episodes, each dedicated to retrieving one of the regalia. Each episode is an open-ended world that takes place in a different area of Neo-Nippon. Some areas are inaccessible initially, but can be reached after equipping certain gears. Throughout the levels there are doors, some of which lead to rooms full of enemies, and some of which lead to Elder Hakase's store where Hagglegears, ninjutsu items, and other power-ups can be purchased.
Haggle Man can run, jump, slash enemies with his sword, and throw shuriken. Ninjutsu items allow Haggle Man to make use of additional attacks which may be more effective than the sword or shuriken. Through the course of the game, he can pick up nuts from fallen enemies. These can be cashed in at Elder Hakase's store to buy new Hagglegears or ninjutsu items.
Hagglegears can be collected and equipped to extent Haggle Man's abilities. He can equip up to three gears at once, each being a different size. Each gear has a specified power rating, and you cannot equip gears that cause the total power to exceed Haggle Man's maximum power allowance. Power upgrades can be purchased from Elder Hakase's shop.
At the end of each episode there is a boss battle. The third episode also features a second boss battle, followed by a third that plays completely different from the other boss battles in the game.
| Game Name | Retro Game Challenge |
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| Themes |
Add a new theme
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| Original US Release |
Feb. 10, 2009
need a fuzzy date? |
| Original US Release |
Q4 2008 know the real date? |
| Aliases | GameCenter CX: Arino no Chousenjou |
| CERO |
CERO: A
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| ESRB |
ESRB: E
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Retro Game Challenge cheat codes
Cheat codes for each of the games within Retro Game Challenge.
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