NERD CULTURE SMACKDOWN #2 Nerd Vs. Arino

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"Let's Play" has become a sub-genre of review/critic shows that specifically involve a host(s) playing a videogame until completion. Some Let's Play videos involve a critique of the game and other's just focus on completion. Two shows I have been watching that involve this type of video come from extremely different styles of hosts with different shows. Today, I'm going to talk about the two hosts and their shows as a discussion of these radically different strategies to this sub-genre. 

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First up we have The Angry Video Game Nerd, hosted by James D. Rolfe AKA The Nerd and originally the Angry Nintendo Nerd (crazy right?). His career at the nerd didn't really take off until 2004, when he started doing reviews for cinemassacre.com. Originally he focus on Nintendo titles but to prevent copyright issues and to diversify the Nintendo Nerd became the Video Game Nerd. Yet, why is he so angry?

The Nerd's show focuses on classic games from 80's and 90's era of video games. Unfortunately, even though there is plenty of shovelware today, the quality of even the top selling titles of those decades could be dreadful. For one, there seem to be a lot more movie/comic book/television show adaptations, and though a few titles have been great (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game), the majority are complete garbage. Furthermore, the games have begun to show their age, use faulty equipment (power glove) and, though there are guides/cheat sheets today, it is easy to see how frustrating titles could be from the era. 

Kill it with FIRE!

Thus, is the Nerd's duty to review these older, and usually crappier titles, and in doing his videos use sink into two modes. Sketches which usually sink into vulgarity and ranting. Yet, his sketches are funny and he uses colorful language like Mozart used music. It's easy to see why the nerd is so furious when he has to review so many terrible games. He even reviews the worst Mario game of all time, which I still own, Mario's Time Machine.

Thus with a trusty Rolling Rock beer in one hand, a power glove on the other and a Nintendo controller in both, it is the Nerd's job to revisit and verbally destroy the games that ruined long periods of innocent children's childhoods. For that I salute him!

On the other hand, nerd rage is not the only way to pursue video game reviews and bashing bad titles isn't the only way. Even The Nerd reviews games that are just harder. There is something more complex about older titles and their simple graphics make it somewhat hypnotic to watch. This is the idea behind the Japanese show GameCenter CX (ゲームセンターCX Gēmu Sentā Shī Ekkusu).

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Arino uses cooling/heating pads to aid his concentration.

GameCenter CX (ゲームセンターCX Gēmu Sentā Shī Ekkusu) is better known as Retro Game Master by the American audience (its what I call it). The show was picked up in June by kotaku.com  and every Thursday they have posted a new translated video on their site, complete with subtitles and an English narrator. The host of the show is Shinya Arino, half of the Japanese comedy duo, Yoiko, AKA The Kacho (section chief). Yet, why is he the Kacho?

Retro Game Master has been running for 12 seasons since it's premiere in 2003. The show originally was about Arino interviewing and touring video game companies. A portion of the show was also dedicated to a challenge, with Arino playing a difficult retro game, and trying to defeat it. By the second season, the show shifted to focus on these video game challenges. Usually, Arino as the Kacho has to beat a difficult retro game in 24 hours (sometimes longer) and we get to join him for the ride.

While the Nerd searches for retribution, the Kacho is on a quest for completion. The show usually includes a short history of the classic game the Kacho is about to enjoy, commentary on the game's bosses, techniques and harder elements, but mostly is about Arino playing to win. There are also portions where the Staff (usually Assistant Directors) will offer advice or help in a title. The games are usually some of the hardest and his resolve keeps him going. He laughs off his deaths and in a 45 minute periods build a rapport with his audience. You feel his anguish and relish his victories.
 

 He isn't the best gamer and seems to know little about the games they are about to play. The sets are simple, a desk in an office, next to a window (usually used to show the change of time) and there are not a lot silly sketches. The show is all about the Kacho, his quirkyness, his laughs, his cries of anguish and his failures.Sometimes he realizes he has been using the wrong strategy after hours of play and sometimes uses cheap methods to overcome but that doesn't matter. You want to see the Kacho overcome!

Honestly, the Nerd and Arino couldn't be more different in their style, experience and over all philosophy when it comes to videogames. For a more casual video, running around 10 to 30 minutes, the Nerd is great. But if you're looking for an experience for about 45 minutes, Arino is your man for the job. Either way they have one thing in common! Despite the Nerd's rage and the Kacho's quirks, they both love video games!

For a great side by side analysis, check out their episodes on Ninja Gaiden below.

THE KACHO TAKES ON NINJA GAIDEN!

THE NERD TAKE ON NINJA GAIDEN!