The Irritating Maze

Based on a segment of the late-1990's Japanese variety show Ucchan Nanchan no Honō no Challenger: Kore ga Dekitara 100 Man-en!!, players have to guide an electrode rod (or "Zap-Rod") through a course as fast as they can while avoiding the metallic frame (similar to the traditional wire loop game) and other moving obstacles. There are three timed courses in total, with checkpoints at certain parts.Unlike most games using the Neo Geo MVS hardware, this game runs in a unique dedicated cabinet with special components; including a trackball for movement, numerous flashing lights that surround the screen, and an air spout that shoots loud bursts of air at the player to surprise them once they fail the course. Optionally, the cabinet can have a special card printer that prints the player's path through the final course-- assuming the player completes it.Saurus later released a sequel for the PlayStation in Japan on March 1998 with Ucchan Nanchan no Honō no Challenger: Denryuu Iraira Bou Returns, known in its later North American release as Irritating Stick, which includes this game's courses along with recreations of the game show courses.SNK also released three analog arcade game versions, each based on different versions of the game show courses (Ultra, Final, and Returns) and recreating recreating the original game show's experience (although without actual electric current). The series also received a separate Nintendo 64 release without Saurus or SNK's involvement.CoursesNoviceStartThe Slot-Machine ZoneCheckpointTriple Windmill Zone (top)S-Curve Zone (bottom)GoalExpertStartThe Piston Zone (top)The Moving Aisle Zone (bottom)CheckpointThe Gondola ZoneCheckpointLoop-The-Loop Zone (top)The Chasing Saw Zone (bottom)GoalProfessionalStartThe Conveyor ZoneCheckpoint"Zap-Robot" FirstCheckpoint"Zap-Robot" SecondGoal