It is based on the television series GameCenter CX, and Shinya Arino gave much input into the game creation process.

A sequel, Retro Game Challenge 2, was released in Japan on February 26, 2009 and was never officially localized into English by Xseed, but received a fan translation.

The various "special" continue tricks (like in Haggle Man) come from the several instances in which Arino must use these features to complete tasks on the show.

As of June 2009, Retro Game Challenge had sold fewer than 100,000 copies in North America.

This was viewed as disappointing for its North American publisher, Xseed Games, discouraging them from also localizing the sequel.

[6] GameCenter CX: Arino no Chōsenjō 2 is the sequel to Retro Game Challenge and was released on February 26, 2009, in Japan.