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This classic 2D shoot'em up series has finally made its full arcade conversion to the Playstation. R-Type was released in 1987 and the sequel followed shortly after.
R-Types includes the original, the sequel and also a sneak FMV preview of the forthcoming R-Type Delta - specifically designed for the Playstation using polygons instead of sprites and 2D bitmaps, which looks similar to Einhander from Squaresoft.
One of the reasons why the original game was so much fun and playable was the enemy design and structure of each level. As you progressed further into the game the attack patterns of the enemies begin to change quite considerably, requiring different tactics to defeat - level 4 is a good example of this.
What made R-Type stand out from the many shoot'em up clones that were very popular in the late 80's was not only its unique, frantic, intense and balanced gameplay but also the visual qualities. The graphics in particular are and STILL is impressive even by today’s standards, ranging from futuristic alien-esque backgrounds to H.R.Giger-like alien enemy ship and environments designs to the pulsatingly-revolting looking end-of-level bosses.
The sequel R-Type 2 received much underrated coverage when released in '89, this was most probably due to the more fiendishly level designs and enemy structure that was even more intense and action-packed (Definitely for the real hardcore shoot'em up expert of players!). The graphics in the sequel are much more detailed overall, backgrounds were more intricately designed and enemy ships looking more meaner than ever - especially the end-of-level bosses.
R-Types can be played with the standard control pad, but for more added excitement it has the vibrating/rumble option incorporated in the game for use with the dual analog pad, funnily enough the rumble option will only work with the dual analog pad and not with the standard analog - even more strange is the fact that it doesn't make use of the analog direction controllers which would of been ideal for the precision control required for this genre.
The music and sound effects suit the game well from slow and melodic chip tunes to the more frantic of end-of-level boss music. Although it would of benefited even greater if "Arranged" soundtracks were added.
Unlike the poor arcade-Playstation conversion of 2D shoot'em ups, in particular Salamander Deluxe (which was heavily criticised for the noticeable amount of slow-down when compared to the Saturn version), I'm glad to say that R-Types is a 100% arcade perfect conversion, no slowdown, flickery sprites or whatsoever - proving that the Playstation can indeed cope with 2D shoot'em ups relatively easily. Well done IREM!!:)
Overall, after more than a decade since its arcade appearance and numerous home conversions (the closest being the PC Engine/Turbo Graphx), R-Types has truly stood the test of time for being the best-of-the-rest of 2D shoot'em ups. Without a doubt there will be many nostalgic fans of this legendary game - this is one shoot'em up that so richly deserves it place in almost every Playstation owners collection. Sheer Classic!!!...:)
Graphics 9
Music/Sound 8
Longevity 8
Playability 9
Overall 9