Super R-Type (Super Nintendo)
Super R-Type is a horizontal side-scrolling shooter published by Irem for the Super NES in 1991. This was one of the more popular genres in the 16-bit era and the R-Type series was one of the most iconic examples. Super R-Type was kind of a hybrid conversion of R-Type II with additional unique levels and features. Super R-Type was one of the earliest releases for the Super NES and one of the first games I owned for that system.
The graphics were always a standout feature of the R-Type series and the Super NES version is no exception. The R-Type series in general is known for its mechanical look and gigantic bosses. The graphics have a bit of a Geiger-esque feel and the Super NES version compares favorably to the arcade version. In general it did not disappoint fans of the arcade originals.
Likewise, the sound and music were also very good. Combined with the graphics, this helped to create a very atmospheric games. There were a lot of great 2D side-scrolling shooters but the R-Type series is one of the most memorable.
All was not perfect with the Super NES version, though. Super R-Type, like a lot of Super NES games (especially early ones) suffered from slow-down when there were lots of sprites on the screen at once. While not ideal, I didn't think this detracted from the game too much. Some say this made the game easier but I was never good enough to beat it on anything harder than the easiest level anyway. The lack of mid-level checkpoints is a notorious sore spot with this game. Whenever you die, you are sent back to the beginning of the level no matter how far along it you were.
There's nothing groundbreaking about the game play but there are a few unique touches. There is a variety of levels, power-ups, enemies, and more. One of the more unique aspects is the "force pod" which attaches to the front or rear of your ship and is indestructible. It can also detach and operate as an autonomous weapon. Super R-Type also has a charge mechanic where you hold the button down for a stronger weapon blast.
If you are at all a fan of this genre, then I think this is a must play game. Super R-Type has an atmospheric impact that few games are able to achieve and despite its flaws, it is a blast to play. The unique levels make it worth playing even if you have played the arcade version of R-Type II.
Over the years, there have been a couple of re-releases that make it a bit easier to play. It was released on the Wii Virtual Console in 2008 and more recently on the Nintendo Classics service in 2024. You can of course also track down an original copy or play it via emulation.
The ad above is from the January 1992 issue of VideoGames & Computer Entertainment.
Check out some of my other recent posts:
Vintage Photos - Lot 6 (009-012)
https://ecency.com/photography/@darth-azrael/vintage-photos-lot-6-009
PC World (November 2004)
https://ecency.com/retrocomputing/@darth-azrael/pc-world-november-2004
Vintage Photos - Lot 6 (005-008)
https://ecency.com/photography/@darth-azrael/vintage-photos-lot-6-005
Price Pointe (Computer Shopper, May 1996)
https://ecency.com/retrocomputing/@darth-azrael/price-pointe-computer-shopper-may
Vintage Photos - Lot 6 (001-004)
https://ecency.com/photography/@darth-azrael/vintage-photos-lot-6-001
Maximum PC (May 2003)
https://ecency.com/retrocomputing/@darth-azrael/maximum-pc-may-2003
Check out my other Social Media haunts (though most content is links to stuff I posted on Hive or re-posts of stuff originally posted on Hive):
Wordpress: https://www.megalextoria.com/wordpress
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/darth-azrael
Blogger: https://megalextoria.blogspot.com/
Odyssee: https://odysee.com/@Megalextoria:b
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-2385054
Daily Motion: https://www.dailymotion.com/Megalextoria
Books I am reading or have recently read:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling.
You Like It Darker by Stephen King.
The Altar Path by Joseph Lisiewski.
Mine Monero in your browser!
Earn Gridcoin while also helping various scientific projects by sharing your computer's idle CPU time!
Excellent review of a cult classic! You're absolutely right about Super R-Type: those Giger-esque graphics and mechanical atmosphere are unforgettable.
I'm glad you brought this up. That time-period was chockablock with shooters of this sort and R-Type was one of the ones that I feel only the super-dedicated would attempt to complete. I didn't have the patience for it but my far more gifted high-school friend was relentless and refused to give up. I was more of a Thunder Force sort of difficulty kind of guy. Go much higher than that and I get frustrated and leave.
I've never really been into super hard games either. The Super NES version of this game I managed to beat on the easiest difficulty level but that was about my limit.
I absolutely loved my time playing this one back in the day. I never owned it but I rented it several times when the local Hastings was having specials where you got a whole week for the price of a 3 day rental. The last time I rented it I was able to beat it, on Easy but didn't have time to try any of the harder difficulties. Considering how long it took to be able to beat it on Easy, I figured it was just not in my future to beat it at a higher difficulty.
I then started renting Super E.D.F. and simply never returned to Super R-Type. A while later I did pick up a TurboGrafx-16 and was fortunate enough to find the R-Type release there (it only had the first half of the game on the Hu-Card), but never had the CD attachment so didn't get to play R-Type Complete.
Man, Super R-Type certainly held its own, even with the slowdown, against competition like Thunder Force III (Thunder Force on SNES), U.N Squadron and the many other side scrolling shooters the SNES offered.
One of these days I'm going to have to go back and try the TG16 version. I had a TG16 (I bought it at Toys R Us for $49 the same year the PS1 was released) but never had R-Type for it.
It has been many decades since I played it on the TG16 but I remember it being quite good. I ended up picking up other side scrolling shooters on the console such as Deep Blue (second half is awesome) and a few weird ones I cannot remember the names of at the moment.
The TG16 definitely had some great shooters though, both overhead and side scrolling.
One of the SNES classic ones. These titles were just got stuff back then and slowly winning over the Sega Genesis in the middle of the console wars.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ggtlieencodejd6phc7m3ea7/post/3mafgtxwbns2u
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ggtlieencodejd6phc7m3ea7/post/3mafgtxwbns2u
The rewards earned on this comment will go to the author of the blog post.
Update: @darth-azrael, I paid out 0.347 HIVE and 0.029 HBD to reward 2 comments in this discussion thread.