Irritating Stick

Overview

Irritating Stick, known in Japan as Ucchan Nanchan no Honō no Challenger: Denryuu Iraira Bou Returns (or "Ucchan Nanchan's Blazing Challenger: Electric Irritating Rod Returns") is a 2D maze game developed and published by Saurus for the Sony PlayStation in Japan on March 19, 1998, with a North American release by Jaleco on January 31, 1999.

A sequel to Saurus's arcade game The Irritating Maze, Irritating Stick is based on a segment of the late-1990's Japanese variety show Ucchan Nanchan no Honō no Challenger: Kore ga Dekitara 100 Man-en!! where players have to guide an electrode rod through a course as fast as they can while avoiding the metallic frame (similar to the traditional wire loop game) and other moving obstacles. It includes recreation of three courses from the TV show (including the "Returns" course, hence the Japanese name), three courses from the arcade game, a new original course, and a built-in course editor. It also supports controllers with analog sticks (and vibration), as well as the PlayStation Mouse.

Along with the standard single-player mode, the game includes multiplayer, both with alternating tournament play and with split-screen VS. play (where both players race to complete the stage first while enduring "irritant" power-down attacks and, for the losing players, a customizable "Penalty Game" roulette).

Although based on the same TV show segment, this game is different from the Nintendo 64 game Ucchan Nanchan no Honō no Challenger: Denryuu Iraira Bou.

Courses

TV Course

These courses are recreations of those from the original game show. Known in the

• Challenge Course - Based on the original iteration (Bakuretsu Denryuu Iraira Bou).
• Final Course - Based on the fourth iteration (Final Denryuu Iraira Bou).
• Revenge Course (unlockable) - Based on the fifth and final iteration (Denryuu Iraira Bou Returns).

Arcade/Original Course

These courses are mostly recreations of those from the arcade game adaptation.

• Elementary Course - Based on "Novice".
• Intermediate Course - Based on "Expert".
• Advanced Course - Based on "Professional".
• Ultra Course (unlockable) - New original course.

Edit & AI Course

Players can customize up to four their own courses using the built-in editor, with players choosing a combination of sections (with 40 simple sections and 23 Event Parts, several of which are unlockable from the main mode).

In VS Mode, players can enable "Vs. Course Edit", where players can design their opponent's course using a more limited point-based criteria.

The game also includes an "Artificial Intelligence" course, which is a procedurally-generated Edit Course that changes based on player's prior performance.