D'Arby the Player, Part 1 (Episode)

D'Arby the Player, Part 1 (ダービー·ザ·プレイヤー その1) is the fortieth episode of Stardust Crusaders, the sixteenth episode of the Egypt Arc, and the sixty-sixth episode of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure anime. It covers Chapter 228 through most of Chapter 232 of the manga.

Summary
The servant, who reveals himself to be Daniel J. D'Arby's younger brother Telence T. D'Arby, brings out his Stand Atum to drag Jotaro, Kakyoin, and Joseph into an illusionary world. There, D'Arby reveals a collection of dolls which, similar to the Elder D'Arby's poker chips, contain to souls of people he has defeated. With his Stand managing to grab onto Jotaro's arm when he attempted to attack it with Star Platinum earlier, D'Arby challenges the trio to a series of video games with their souls on the line in order to have him relinquish Jotaro.

He first challenges Kakyoin in a racing video game, with both players using their Stands to perform advanced techniques. With the race neck-and-neck throughout most of the course, the pair soon enter a dark tunnel, with D'Arby gaining a slight lead.

Manga/Anime Differences

 * A scene where DIO seduces Kakyoin to his side is expanded upon.

Commentary
"We're about to get into serious business leading to the finale, but alas, the first fight is via a video game. (laughs)

Telence's dolls were animated by Reki Taki, who is really one of Hirohiko Araki's old assistants. We didn't get to him through Shûeisha or anything, it was pure luck. He had found himself among us via a completely different path. But thanks to him, the dolls are all the more successful and creepier.

For the racing video game, we had decided to make everything in 3D. Some of us would have preferred to make it with traditional drawings, but I won't dare imagine the exertion and hard work we would have to endure for these parts. In fact, people were wondering if we really could render a video game from the 80's in 3D. Even if it's a good question, let's say that the end justifies the means. (laughs)

Building the race track for F-Mega was really interesting. The game session itself is rather enjoyable. The Stands pummeling the buttons without reason, Joseph being completely invested in what he's seeing, the sensation of absolute speed coming out of the game... What a fun atmosphere."

- Naokatsu Tsuda, Blu-Ray limited edition commentaries

Trivia

 * The graphics on D'Arby's video games were converted in full 3D; which wasn't technically possible for gaming consoles in the late 80s.