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Time again for a look back at some retro gaming! There was a TurboGrafx-16 game that graced the Wii Virtual Console back in 2007 called J.J. & Jeff. That game was originally known as Kato-chan & Ken-chan, and was quite well-known back in Japan. The game was changed in a few key areas when brought to the West - namely the playable characters' names and likenesses. This was because the Kato and Ken in the game were famous celebrities in Japan, and the game was based off of their TV show that was on the air when the game was made.

The show - as well as its stars - were not known outside of Japan, so the game went under the knife, as so many classic titles have, and none were the wiser. However, the game’s re-issue on Virtual Console in the Internet Age meant that people could dig up and compare the versions and learn the secret backstory to this game, and many others. Not only were the characters changed, but some of the more adult elements were taken out of the English version. The most notable is that the characters Kato and Ken go to the bathroom outdoors - a lot.

You may already know the story of how Kato-chan & Ken-chan became J.J. & Jeff. Or, you might know how one segment of their TV show became America’s Funniest Home Videos, a hit show in its own right. But, have you ever seen the show? Do you know how the show was made into the game? They are in other games as well! I have found some tapes and put everything together to point out exactly how famous Kato and Ken are, what funny gags from the show made it to the game, and how those were changed in the J.J & Jeff version you may have played.

Check out the video below to see it all. Its packed with trivia tidbits and game history goodness, with lots of Japanese TV craziness you’ll love!

If you liked this video be sure to check out GTV for more things retro, Nintendo and Japan.