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 Remember back in the day when you used to have to sit down and beat a game in one go if you wanted to make any progress? Where you had to remember long and easily messed-up passwords to keep going if you had to go to bed (you had school in the morning!)? Remember when games were so controller-wrecking hard that beating them, despite whatever they threw at you, felt like a real and tangible accomplishment? If you do, get ready to relive those halcyon days. Welcome to Retro Game Masters. Based on the popular show Game Center CX (known as Retro Game Master in non-Japanese regions), you will be tasked with clearing a staggeringly difficult game of yesteryear within the span of just five days. Don’t ask for save states or cheats, because they’ll get you nowhere here.  New Challenge on Wednesday!  The rules are quite simple. 1. When presented with a game, if you want to compete, you must call yourself in before you start playing. Do not wait until you are midway through a game to call in. 2. No late completions will be accepted. If you complete a game after the given deadline (which will always be based in EST/EDT), you WILL be marked as “Timed out” 3. No save states. No cheats. Passwords to continue at a later time are acceptable. We’re trying to maintain an environment at least semi-similar to playing a game back when it came out in the eighties/nineties, so avoid using cheats and save states. Beat the game like you mean it! 4. Use of walkthroughs is contested. If you feel that the manual does not do an adequate job of explaining how to play the game, post a guide in the thread and I’ll try to make a judgment call. 5. You are not prohibited from participating in a challenge if you’ve beaten the game previously. What’s important is that you’re having fun. 6. Use of turbo controllers is totally disallowed. 7. In games with multiplayer, you must state who you completed the game with if you played it with someone else. 8. To show that you have cleared a challenge, you must post at least one screenshot of the game’s ending (or other clear criteria). Posts claiming you beat the game without a picture will not be counted. 9. The easiest difficulty is always banned from challenges. No exceptions. Other options like changing ammo counts or life counts are to be left as they are by default.  While it’s not my position to threaten you with punishment, I feel it would be best to adhere to these guidelines to keep the thread running as smoothly as possible. 1. Challenge are only ever issued by me. Keep all other Retro Game chat in the other thread, which can be found here. You can also connect to #retrochat on irc.synirc.net to discuss pretty much anything related to retro gaming. 2. Recommendations are not only welcome, they are actively encouraged. It’s pretty tough to find something good in the staggeringly massive library of NES/SNES/Genesis/etc. games to turn you all loose on, but do try and make sure it’s something you wouldn’t be adverse to playing yourself. We don’t want to ever see something like Bart vs. The Space Mutants challenged, so do us all a service and make sure you pick something nice. 3. We will make sure that the game is playable in some way, shape, or form before asking you to try and play it yourself. We understand that retro gaming is expensive (hence  ), and that you might not be able to go out and get an ancient console to play on. All we ask is that you adhere to the  rules that are in effect everywhere on the forums. Don’t ask us where to get it, don’t ask us how to get it working, and don’t post links to anything illicit. The onus is on you to prevent yourself from getting probated or worse.4. Have fun. This is play, not work. All we ask of you is that you maybe share your thoughts on a game while playing it. Talk with other people challenging the game, discuss strategies, co-operate like you’re all sitting on the same couch playing it in turns. Please don’t try and miss work or shirk other important things to complete a challenge. 5.  TELL YOUR FRIENDS! If they’re not goons, I won’t document them on the spreadsheet, but what really matters here is that people are going back and playing some sweet retro games that they may have missed previously. If they ARE goons, point them to this thread! It runs entirely on your engagement with it, so the more the merrier! Besides, we’re all here to help each other out, because some of these games will pull no punches. The format of a challenge post has changed starting with season 2. To show you what you’ll see in each challenge post, here’s a handy guide of everything to look for, using Season 1’s Gimmick! as an example:    Here is where I'll put the game's name, developer and publisher, year of publication, system, genre, and a short description of the game. Game Title: Gimmick! Developer: Sunsoft Publisher: Sunsoft Year of Publication: 1992 (Japan), 1993 (Scandinavia) System: Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System Genre: Platformer Gimmick! is a neat little platformer about an animate doll who is out to save his owner from her other toys. It features a specialized sound chip which allows for some excellent quality chiptunes and requires players to perform careful platforming maneuvers, chuck stars, and use every item they can find to reach the ending.  Here is where I'll put the manual (if I'm able to locate a high quality one) and any other resources you might need during the challenge. If there are copy protection puzzles that require something outlandish that not everyone might be able to easily get a hold of(like the letter in StarTropics), then it will go here. Controls A Button: Jump B Button: Toss a Star. Up + B Button: Use the item in the leftmost slot Start Button: Pause the game Select Button: Not used Directional Pad : Move Down Button: Switch items  Here is where I'll put the goal for this challenge (usually beating the game), and when the challenge expires (usually five days after the start of the challenge, unless otherwise stated). Make sure to double check this section frequently to see when the challenge expires. I will make an additional post stating when time is up. Your goal: Reach the ending! This challenge will expire on Monday, October 22nd at 12:00 PM EDTIf you ever have any questions about a challenge, don't hesitate to PM me, or bring it up in the thread. I will do my best to help you.  We want to see you taking these things on! If you plan on streaming challenges while you play them, let me know so I can post a link to your stream here. Shlapintogan fucked around with this message at May 21, 2013 around 22:37 |
| # ? Oct 17, 2012 11:37 |
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| # ? May 22, 2013 00:13 |
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 These charts will keep track of who attempts or succeeds at a challenge. If I miss you, please let me know!    All previous challenges will go here, in addition, spreadsheets with previous seasons' challenges will be linked to here to save space.  Previous challenges this season        Shlapintogan fucked around with this message at May 21, 2013 around 22:38 |
| # ? Oct 17, 2012 11:38 |
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Your first challenge is a game that sadly never saw release outside of Japan (and Scandinavia). Presented to you by Sunsoft is Gimmick! Sunsoft 1992/1993 Famicom Gimmick! is a neat little platformer about an animate doll who is out to save his owner from her other toys. It features a specialized sound chip which allows for some excellent quality chiptunes and requires players to perform careful platforming maneuvers, chuck stars, and use every item they can find to reach the ending. Your goal: Reach the ending! You have until Monday, October 22nd at noon EDT to complete this challenge!Controls A Button: Jump B Button: Toss a Star. Up + B Button: Use the item in the leftmost slot Start Button: Pause the game Select Button: Not used Directional Pad : Move Down Button: Switch items Shlapintogan fucked around with this message at Oct 17, 2012 around 20:46 |
| # ? Oct 17, 2012 11:38 |
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I'll give it a go. I do however have a highly variable study schedule (+ full time job) so will probably end up just being lame.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 11:40 |
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I accept your challenge. Challenge ends right before my birthday. Is it OK that I previously watched the raw for the GCCX episode for this game. Also, walkthroughs should be allowed as a last resort. Arino was allowed to use strategy guides. Also, you should differentiate people who get the good or bad endings. Gimmick has a good and bad ending as well. Edit: I have played some of the game before, but have not beaten it. joek0 fucked around with this message at Oct 17, 2012 around 12:16 |
| # ? Oct 17, 2012 12:10 |
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I'll allow them in the event that someone is absolutely stuck, but otherwise, they're verboten. Also, it's fine that you've already seen the game. You haven't played it before, though, right? And trust me, I will differentiate between endings. A quick reminder: If you make it to the end, take a picture and show us! Shlapintogan fucked around with this message at Oct 17, 2012 around 12:16 |
| # ? Oct 17, 2012 12:12 |
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This sounds pretty fun, I'll join in. edit:  
Nanja Monja fucked around with this message at Oct 17, 2012 around 12:34 |
| # ? Oct 17, 2012 12:14 |
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I'm on this.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 13:47 |
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I'm in.Shlapintogan posted:A quick reminder: If you make it to the end, take a picture and show us! Do you want a screen shot or are we talking old school Nintendo Power level of take an actual picture of your monitor/television?
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 13:52 |
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I'll give it a shot (on my Xperia Play, when I'm on the toilet). How long does it take to complete roughly? i.e. how many shits?
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 13:57 |
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I'm up for this. I think I'll just record my playing (without commentary) and upload the whole thing to youtube unedited for people to waste their life with. Edit: What are the rules on turbo controllers? I'm playing with a controller. PureRok fucked around with this message at Oct 17, 2012 around 14:05 |
| # ? Oct 17, 2012 14:01 |
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I'm in.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 14:04 |
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If only I had friends to sit in my front room and groan when I die. I'm going to go buy a white board and make my roommate research this game to offer advice. I'm in like Flynn. So, we are allowed to use ROMs as long as we don't save state? Does that mean we have to beat the game in one sitting, GCCX style, or can we "pause" with a savestate to come back to the beginning of x level the next day, sort of an equivalent of pausing the game overnight?
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 15:59 |
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I think it would be fun, I'll do it. Do we just have to find the roms ourselves?
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 18:33 |
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I am super happy that this concept got revived. I tried giving the old one a shot in the arm but it didn't take. You've done a great service here. Starting with Mr. Gimmick, too. If memory serves that gets to be a pretty tough game. The treasure in level 4, I believe is an absolute pain. If I find some time I'll fire up Mr. Gimmick and try this out.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 19:00 |
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Shlapintogan posted:Your first challenge is a game that sadly never saw release outside of Japan (and Scandinavia). Presented to you by Sunsoft is Gimmick! I got the USA reproduction cart from retro USB about a year ago. I somehow doubt I'll be getting the good ending unless I look up strategies on the internet (which I wont be doing), but I'll try nevertheless.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 19:23 |
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Having just come from a run through all the way to stage 3, I have only one thing to say: gently caress pitfalls forever  It's a very good thing that apparently this game has infinite continues.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 19:25 |
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cronox2 posted:Do you want a screen shot or are we talking old school Nintendo Power level of take an actual picture of your monitor/television? Either's fine! Just as long as you show us you beat it. PureRok posted:Edit: What are the rules on turbo controllers? I'm playing with a controller. You can use them, but obviously only use the turbo function if you can't do whatever it is you need turbo for on your own, first. Hit or miss Clitoris posted:I'm in like Flynn. So, we are allowed to use ROMs as long as we don't save state? Does that mean we have to beat the game in one sitting, GCCX style, or can we "pause" with a savestate to come back to the beginning of x level the next day, sort of an equivalent of pausing the game overnight? Gotta do it GCCX style. Savestates are totally disallowed. Stefan Prodan posted:I think it would be fun, I'll do it. Do we just have to find the roms ourselves? You have to procure the game yourself. We don't care how you get it, just don't go about telling us how to. When in doubt, consider the forums rules: AxeManiac posted:2c. What about Roms/Abandonware We also allow anything that isn’t commercially available or easily purchased, within reason. Check with a mod before hand. However we do not allow rom sets or random torrents and anyone REQUESTING files will be punished. This is not a file forum.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 19:27 |
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I may be rull rull dum but where do I download this or what system was it on? 
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 19:29 |
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It was released officially only on the Famicom and the Scandinavian NES.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 19:31 |
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Does the bad ending count for this challenge? I have a feeling I can at least do that.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 19:43 |
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As a veteran of the last thread, I was ready to roll, but alas, I don't have a physical copy of the game in either format. (and I'm the kind of guy that owns complete in box copies of Panzer Dragoon Saga and Earthbound)  I await your next challenge.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 19:44 |
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I will count either ending if you reach it, but it will be noted which ending you got on the spreadsheet.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 19:49 |
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I'm in. Needed something to do this weekend, anyway.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:06 |
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Well, I hit a brick wall in level 3, so I'm dropping out of this game. I'm not much of a fan of platformers anyway, and the mechanics in this game make it worse. It feels like I'm constantly playing on an ice level, and the method of attack doesn't make things any easier. Also, the difficulty curve is kind of weird. The first level is longer and harder than the second one. I'm pretty sure there's one section in level 3 where you have to take damage to progress (even a TAS I watched of the game took damage there.). I guess I don't have the patience for this game. I said I'd record my gameplay and I did. Here it is, cut from 47 minutes down to 25 with all deaths included. I finish the first level about 12 minutes in. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at7YJQwmh5c&hd=1
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:08 |
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How do I use items. I seem to get a ton and i can cycle through them with Down but they dont seem to do anything? except make my star do something different maybe? Also jumping on stars is hard holy crap tl;dr what do items do how do i use items eff i am bad at this game!
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:10 |
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Oh boy, I've been looking forward to a new one of these since the last thread died off. Here's hoping this one doesn't unceremoniously burn itself out with awful, bullshit games (Kid loving Chameleon, I'm looking at you! ). Been looking for an excuse to play Mr. Gimmick for a long time now, so I'm very definitely in on this. 5 days should be enough time to manage this, so that helps too.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:16 |
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Up+B to use items. I'm definitely up for this after playing the first level. 
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:19 |
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Dragonatrix posted:Oh boy, I've been looking forward to a new one of these since the last thread died off. Here's hoping this one doesn't unceremoniously burn itself out with awful, bullshit games (Kid loving Chameleon, I'm looking at you! Hey, Kid Chameleon was an awesome game, you take that back!  (ps I never did beat that game  )
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:28 |
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I'm surprised at the turnout for this! We've got 16 challengers listed on the spreadsheet with five days to go. A little bit of interesting information about the sound chip used in Gimmick!: The chip used is a modified version of the FME-7, which was used for games like Batman: Return of the Joker and Ufouria/Hebereke. It allows for extra "voices" in each tune, and this particular version of the FME-7 was used only for Gimmick! It has the special designation "SUNSOFT 5B".
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:35 |
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I just want to make sure! Is reading the game manual allowed? If allowed, will you post the link to the game manual.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:39 |
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I will be attempting to play this, I've seen this game in action before but never actually sat down to play it myself. Great first pick! I think in the spirit of old-fashionedness I will take photos of my gameplay instead of trying to somehow screenshot.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:41 |
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The instruction manual is always allowed, but unfortunately, I couldn't find a manual for Gimmick! that was from Sunsoft. I'll update the challenge post with the controls.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:43 |
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I know you're supposed to ride the star at points but I cannot get the hang of getting on it at all. I'm only at stage 3 right now. ^^^^ I found scans of the Japanese manual but that was it. I'm not sure an english version exists.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:45 |
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cronox2 posted:I know you're supposed to ride the star at points but I cannot get the hang of getting on it at all. I'm only at stage 3 right now. Riding the star is a thing that happens whenever I don't want it to happen, and I can never get it to happen when I actually try to do it.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:50 |
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cinn posted:I may be rull rull dum but where do I download this or what system was it on? Mercury Crusader posted:As a veteran of the last thread, I was ready to roll, but alas, I don't have a physical copy of the game in either format. (and I'm the kind of guy that owns complete in box copies of Panzer Dragoon Saga and Earthbound) FYI for anyone with a PS3, Gimmick! is available on the Japanese PSN as part of the PS1 title Sunsoft Memorial Series Vol. 6. It's bundled with Battle Formula/Super Spy Hunter. The other volumes, incidentally, contain several games featured on Game Center CX challenges, as well as the Japanese versions of Blaster Master and Journey to Silius. These titles do include digital versions of the Japanese manuals. Discount Viscount fucked around with this message at Oct 17, 2012 around 20:55 |
| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:52 |
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Alright, I'm in. I haven't gotten far yet, and the physics are really weird, but it's fun to figure it all out. Plus, I found the first secret already.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 20:54 |
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I'm in because you made the thread and it's good and you seem to have found the reason why the other thread went to shits on your own (hint: it was that terrible Simpsons game). Ground rule's simple: If Arino would play it, it's a good challenge; if AVGN would play it, it's a terrible idea.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 21:04 |
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The spreadsheet should be totally up to date with all challengers and their current status. If I missed anyone or if you've quit/complete the game, please feel free to PM me or repost your acceptance of the challenge.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 21:09 |
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| # ? May 22, 2013 00:13 |
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Apparently, the EU release was called "Mr." Gimmick, in case you can't find it. Also the game is (awesome) bullshit.
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| # ? Oct 17, 2012 21:29 |
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