Back in 1986, famous Japanese actor/director Beat Takeshi contributed to the design of a videogame. Legend has it that Takeshi did not have an affection for videogames at all (not unlike Jack Thompson), and in a half-intoxicated state, he laid out his plan for a game that would show the world exactly how much he disliked the medium and its players. For whatever reason, the developers at Taito went for the plan, and Takeshi's Challenge was born. 

The game is famous for breaking boundaries -- boundaries of good taste, of good game design, and of sound logic. How awful can you permit the player and the world around them to become? How much stress can you put the player through before they can't tolerate it anymore? How ridiculous can you make these stressful situations, and can you make them funny enough to keep the player going despite their anxiety? These are limits that most games don't dare to test. Takeshi's Challenge tests them constantly, resulting in a game that is simultaneously reviled and revered. 

The developers at 8BitsFanatics (Tempura of the Dead, Aban Hawkins and the 1,001 Spikes) are in the "revere" camp. That's why they put together a Challenge from Kiyoshi (starring Meat Kiyoshi), a tribute/sequel to Takeshi's Challenge that harnesses the essence of the original game without directly copying it. The game is stressful, ridiculous, and filled with awfulness, but in a whole new way. It's much more straightforward, ditching the non-linear style for a more action-packed, obstacle-course approach. There are also punch/kick combos, super jumps, and boss fights, which give the game a more conventional appeal. That said, Challenge from Kiyoshi will still troll you hard. Personally, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Download it here for free, and tell us what you think.

Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)

Kyakakin

Thought it was going to be Glover. I am disappoint.

Sweet Surrender

I thought ET was deemed the worst game ever. And this screenshot COULD be a sequel to that game!

RitaLokita

That game looks awesome its like omg your gonna be the boss -buzz buzz earth quake- Building turns into some Indiana Jones super mario fest with suicidal people xD

Occams electric toothbrush

Camiwaits

Pffft, boss fights and combos are videogame novelties that Beat Takeshi would not tolerate.

shadow2398

But it's to early for a sequel to revelations 2012.

trueb7ue

I own takeshi's challenge on my Wii VC, it is the biggest "fuck you" to gaming I've ever played. I loved it..

Baines

They should have gotten someone who was half drunk and hated videogames to come up with the tribute. As is, Challenge from Kiyoshi just looks like a toned down I Wanna Be The Guy game.

doewnskitty

Meta.

Grethiwha

I love Takeshi Kitano. That is all.

@trueb7ue: damnit, I got excited for a minute there. I guess you have a modded or Japanese Wii...

ScottyG

Gotta be honest, that doesn't look all that good. I guess that's the point, and I`ll give it a download.

PrinceHeir

Beat Takeshi FTW!!!!!

love his role on Battle Royale :P

man what an amazing director AND actor :)

TurboKill

Good for Takeshi speaking his mind. Fuck videogames, and the people that play them.

trueb7ue

@Grethiwha

Yeah I have a japanese Wii :/ sorry.

edhe

Conan O'Brien needs to design a game!

Jay Me

Is this the Takeshi from Takeshi's Castle?

Stevil

If Cing were still around, and I had a few million to spare, I'd ask them to make Kikujiro: The Video Game.

I'm sure ol' Beat would hate that, though.

Raby

Suzanne Collins just woke up with another multimillion dollar idea...

desert dragon

Takeshis challenge is not a bad game. Its just a drunk game

PhilKenSebben

This had me laughing my ass off last night. Thanks.

Batthink

If you are interested in checking out Takeshi's Challenge, try watching the Game Center CX episode first.

Also, Beat Takeshi's gameshow Takeshi's Castle is still my most favourite gameshow ever.

@ Raby;

...and you'll wake up with a horse's head in your bed, you dumb piece of spambot.

Raby

@Batthink

Holy internet tough guy/ mobster Batman!

Threats over the internet: the preferred method of classy for todays adolescent.

AlucardsQuest

I much prefer Game Center CX Arino's Challenge (Retro Game Challenge).