Years before Shigesato Itoi would turn his hands to developing the RPG Mother, another Japanese entertainer had got his sights set on Nintendos Famicom system. Comedian and director Takeshi Kitano creator of Takeshis Castle - teamed up with gaming goliath Taito and took an active role in producing his first video game. Warnings on the box that the game was impossible to complete with conventional skills were not to be taken lightly. The player assumes the role of a downtrodden salaryman, one whose marriage and career are falling apart around him while he dreams of legendary treasure hidden on a distant island. Its fair to say that logic is not a companion on the journey. Players will be asked to invest their money in shamisen lessons to avoid paying alimony, sing karaoke into the Famicoms built-in microphone, take on the Yakuza and put the controller down for an entire hour to reveal a secret map. Two of the games more obscure puzzles could only be solved by watching the games commercials. Takeshis Challenge is the most infamous example of Nintendo Hard, but its also the most honest. It revels in being difficult and obtuse, playing with difficulty and slog in a deliberate parody of games and openly mocks just how much tripe gamers are prepared to put up with which, for some, makes it the most enticing entry on the list, something to be cherished and explored in Lets Plays for masochistic pleasure. All of which rather backs up Takeshis point well never learn!
