R-Type
| Developer: Factor 5 | Graphics: |
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| Publisher: Activision | Sound: |
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| Year: 1989 | Difficulty: |
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| Genre: Shoot’em up | Lastability: |
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| Number of players: 1 | Rating: |
7/10 | |
Released in 1987 on arcade machines, R-Type was visually stunning for its time (less so on the Amiga, in my opinion) and became, for most players, the gold standard for horizontal scrolling shoot’em ups. Its countless console ports only cemented its legendary status.
The game’s inspiration was likely Gradius (arcade, 1985). The key difference lies in the weapon system: instead of collecting bonuses scattered around the levels and spending them whenever you want on upgrades (a system later adopted by Project X, among others), in R-Type, upgrades are earned by taking down small robots that appear in predetermined locations.
The most iconic feature, besides the charged shot and bouncing lasers, is the satellite—a detachable module that can be mounted at the front or rear of your ship. It doubles as a shield or a devastating projectile, depending on how you deploy it.
The game also boasts an unforgettable soundtrack and some truly memorable bosses: the level 1 boss, clearly inspired by the film Alien; the level 2 snake that weaves unpredictably in and out of the screen (a trope found in countless other games, such as Secret of Mana); and the famous giant battleship in level 3, bristling with turrets and requiring a full lap around its hull to take down.
R-Type 2 followed in 1988 on arcade (1991 on Amiga), and R-Type 3 arrived in 1993 on the Super Nintendo. The series later transitioned to 3D with R-Type Delta (PlayStation, 1999) and R-Type Final (PlayStation 2, 2004). Also worth mentioning is R-Type Leo (arcade, 1992), a Japan-exclusive entry with a more colourful, accessible style and two-player co-op gameplay.
If you’re a fan of the genre, especially two-player titles, I’d recommend giving Last Resort (arcade, 1992) a shot.
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