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Irritating Stick

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Irritating Stick, published by Jaleco and developed by the guys and gals at Saurus is quite a weird idea when it comes to what the videogame industry has expected in the past. Based on a cult TV show in Japan where contestants have to guide a rod in between two barriers of pulsating volts of elec...

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Developer
Saurus

Released on
1999

Size
1–8 Players

Version
PlayStation

Requirements
Sony Playstation

Downloads
Action

Publisher
Jaleco

ESRB Rating
E - Everyone

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Description

Irritating Stick, published by Jaleco and developed by the guys and gals at Saurus is quite a weird idea when it comes to what the videogame industry has expected in the past. Based on a cult TV show in Japan where contestants have to guide a rod in between two barriers of pulsating volts of electricity to the end of the maze without touching either side as this will lead to a shock of electricity, you would hardly even conceive this idea to be a practical videogame.

The game entails moving around what appears to be a dot on the screen since this actually represents the stick in a 3D world that is viewed from “top down” on the head of the rod. By directing this rod through the maze without hitting either of the barriers, you will take victory. However speed also must be taken into consideration since a time limit is established for each course. Players can also change speeds by simply pressing the X button to drop down a speed or circle to speed up with a total of five speeds available. The unlimited number of mazes are set through various background courses and obstacles from spinning blades, poker machines and even a metal robot.

Irritating Stick

Overview & History

Released in arcades by Jaleco in 1998, Irritating Stick is an eccentric and uniquely punishing Japanese game show tie-in based on the TBS television program *Kaman Rider* spin-off and *Takeshi's Castle* adjacent obstacle challenges. The game tasks players with guiding a glowing, conductive metal loop wand—the eponymous "Irritating Stick"—through a series of labyrinthine, electrified wire courses without letting the metal touch the boundaries. Narrated by a frantic, high-pitched Japanese announcer who mocks every failure and hypes up every inch of progress, the game is a masterclass in tension, combining the nerve-wracking steady-hand mechanics of the classic board game *Operation* with the fast-paced time constraints of the arcade era.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Gameplay revolves entirely around millimeter precision and psychological endurance. The player controls a hand holding a glowing orb attached to a wire ring, navigating it along twisting, bizarrely themed metal tracks shaped like giant monsters, industrial machinery, and surreal household objects. Every course is divided into multiple checkpoints, but touching the walls triggers an immediate, jarring electrical shock animation accompanied by an ear-splitting buzz and a deduction of your precious health bar. To balance the frustration, stages introduce moving hazards, rotating gears, puffing steam vents, and narrow bottlenecks that demand micro-adjustments. Unlike standard puzzle or action games, success in Irritating Stick requires finding a zen-like state of focus, as rushing leads to instant electrocution, while taking too long triggers a time-out penalty.