S5 E1 • Umihara Kawase

For the season 5 opener Arino must try to complete the cult classic, grappling hook platformer, Umihara Kawase. Perhaps the new AD can impress with his gaming skills and propel the Chief to victory. In the first TamaGe outing of the season Arino visits a quaint stationary store. With the sun glaring down he makes judicious use of the sun blockers so he is able to enjoy some Metal Slug co-op along side the elderly owner. This season will feature a new segment focusing on lesser known hardware called The Aces Of Hardware Won't Appear. The hardware Arino will be introduced to today is the Sega Mark III which had a number of notable titles including Alex Kidd In Miracle World.

Première diffusion : 7 juin 2006

S5 E2 • Contra

The Konami classic Contra is the featured challenge for this episode and its renowned co-op gameplay may offer Inoko MAX a chance to redeem himself after his poor showing last episode. The TamaGe for this episode features a wonderful store with a variety of nostalgic candy and game machines. There's also a great cast of supporting characters including classic movie stars, robots, aliens and idols. Aces Of Hardware this time will focus on the the obscure Cassette Vision from the even more obscure manufacturer, Epoch. While most of its games require a lot of imagination to enjoy Pakpak Monster has a very recognisable protagonist.

Première diffusion : 21 juin 2006

S5 E3 • Bonanza Bros.

Arino challenges Bonanza Bros, a Mega Drive game about burglarizing buildings and hiding from the cops. A special report brings us coverage from a fan event to promote the release of the second DVD box set. The fans are teased with upcoming show merchandise before an autograph and gift giving session. The Aces Of Hardware is dedicated to Sega's Game Gear and features a couple of ports of out and out classics plus one particularly odd game.

Première diffusion : 5 juillet 2006

S5 E4 • Dai Makai Mura (Ghouls 'n Ghosts)

The game dropped on Arino's lap for his latest challenge is Ghouls 'N Ghosts, the terrifying sequel to Ghosts 'N Goblins. The knight Arthur must once again descend into the pits of hell to retrieve the souls of the innocent from the clutches of Lucifer. If this 16-bit entry in the series has a boost in difficulty to go along with its graphical one, Arino doesn't have a hope in hell. The latest piece of hardware to be dredged up from the past in Aces Of Hardware is the ill-fated 3DO. Conceived of by EA's founder, Trip Hawkins, the system bet and lost big on the full motion video craze of the 90s. Arino will be a victim of that mistake when he's forced to play the abysmal Jurassic Park Interactive and a Wacky Races video game where the game part is debatable.

Première diffusion : 19 juillet 2006

S5 E5 • Sarada no Kuni no Tomato Hime (Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom)

In one of the most talked about challenges yet, Arino tackles the much ported adventure game, Princess Tomato In Salad Kingdom. Arino will endeavour to save the kingdom from evildoers in this cute adventure game that belies a rather serious storyline. When he isn't saving nobles Arino checks out a general store which features a couple of arcade machines and is a big hit with all of the neighborhood kids. There's even some action in the bedroom as Abe and the owner argue about the value of her stamp collection. Yet another piece of Sega hardware features in Aces Of Hardware this week and this time it's the SG-1000 II. A couple of games stand out in this edition including a version of the previously challenged Star Force and the first game from Sonic creator Yuji Naka, Girl's Garden.

Première diffusion : 2 août 2006

S5 E6 • Youkai Douchuuki (Shadow Land)

Arino hopes to end the season on a high but it won't be easy as he has to take on the difficult platformer, Shadow Land. Arino will do his best to lead the mischievous Tarosuke through hell itself to the world of the living. For the final arcade visit of the season Arino travels to a little grocery store with a number of outdoor arcade and prize games. Arino will be hoping he can clean up on the prize games so he can win some tokens to spend inside. After all of that he might even have time to squeeze in a little Metal Slug. And for the finale of The Aces Of Hardware Won't Appear the interestingly named Pyuuta from Tomy is shown off in all of its glory.This computer may have misrepresented its power but it did have a couple of neat action games including a port of Scramble.

Première diffusion : 30 août 2006