Shinya Arino, the host of the popular Japanese television program GameCenter CX, known internationally as Retro Game Master, is preparing to challenge video games from the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3 eras for consideration as 'retro' titles. The show, which has been airing for over two decades, has historically focused on older console generations, making this potential expansion a significant marker of time's passage for its audience.
Since its debut in 2003, GameCenter CX has featured Arino undertaking the difficult task of completing challenging video games, often from the Famicom era, such as Ghosts 'n Goblins and Ninja Gaiden. The program's enduring format of showcasing Arino's perseverance through exhaustion and intense gameplay has resulted in nearly 400 episodes. This upcoming broadcast, scheduled for August 23rd, will explore whether games from the Wii and PlayStation 3, both released approximately 20 years ago, now qualify for the show's 'retro' designation. This would also mark the first instance where the program tackles hardware that is younger than the show itself.
The series has become a fixture in Japanese gaming culture. Beyond dedicated Nintendo DS games, Arino has made appearances in various gaming-related media, including an unlockable costume in Super Mario Maker. Some of the show's most memorable episodes have involved Arino exploring less conventional aspects of gaming culture, such as a quest to find Japan's northernmost arcade.
While watching Arino engage with titles like Super Mario Galaxy or Portal on the Wii and PS3 is expected to be entertaining, the consideration of these consoles as retro is prompting viewers to reflect on their own aging. The move highlights the ever-shifting definition of retro gaming and serves as a stark reminder of how quickly time progresses within the gaming landscape.