I’m so old I remember the original R-Type appearing in the arcade way back in 1987. It was a game that dared to be different, looked incredible, and totally mixed up the shoot-’em-up genre. As soon as I saw it in the arcade, I had to have it—albeit on the ZX Spectrum (ask your dad, or even more horrifying, ask your grandad).
What set R-Type apart were the graphics, the more-than-subtle nod to the artwork of H.R. Giger, and the all-important Force. It basically tapped into everything that made the ’80s cool and made it its own, to great success.
So, what we have here is an HD-boosted version of the first 3D foray in the R-Type series, which originally appeared on PlayStation in 1998. This 3D outing was great for both veterans and newcomers alike, harnessing the 3D capabilities of the PlayStation while recreating that familiar side-scrolling shoot-’em-up action the franchise was famous for.
In terms of gameplay, nothing much has changed from the original. The main differences, aside from the 3D graphics, are the introduction of two other ships to partner with your R9 (the R-9a2 Delta, R-13, and RX-10, if you want to get technical). Each ship has a different use of the Force mechanic—not always to great effect, but it is still nice to have the option and add a new layer of strategy.
And that’s one of the main strengths of the R-Type series: how you use the Force, an invincible, detachable unit essential for both offense and defense. Do you attach it to the rear of your ship to cover your back? Do you attach it at the front to unload on everything coming your way? Or do you leave it detached, hovering around you to mop up any stray bullets or enemy ships?
The gameplay is as straightforward as ever, but now there is the addition of some vertical scrolling elements and horrific corridors loaded with cannons and other nasties that will get you close to rage-quitting. The difficulty is hard, even on the ‘Kids’ level. I had completed the original R-Type so many times, but this was a wake-up call and a real test of skill. Although, I blame my lack of reflexes on age now, not on how bad I am at this game!
All in all, R-Type Delta HD Boosted is a real nostalgia trip, but it’s not without its flaws. I have to admit the biggest of them all are the graphics. Yes, it is nice to see the ships and the whole Bydo Empire in 3D glory, and the HD lick of paint is a massive step up from the original, but the difficulty comes in trying to figure out what is scenery, what are enemies, what are bullets, and basically where your ship is.
The angular, low-poly style, which has a charm, is a nightmare when trying to distinguish all of the above. Add in some muddy colors, lots of moving parts, and plenty of sparkles and twinkles for effect, and you just end up shrugging your shoulders in defeat because you don’t know which of the above actually killed you.
The collision detection exacerbates things even more. In some cases, your ship can overlap a bit of scenery or enemy fire; in other cases, you explode by just getting near an object. Couple all of that with the stupid piddly blobs that are all the mighty Bydo Empire can conjure up as bullets, and you’re left with, at times, no actual clue as to what is going on. The inconsistencies and madness of the graphics make this a “hit and hope” game rather than a game of skill. Of course, once you learn the levels and patterns it becomes easier, but until then, it’s a pixelated nightmare.
As an HD remake that’s apparently boosted, it’s not that well-packaged with very few options to make it worth the money. You can play with the original graphics if you choose, which is a nice option to see just how good the HD graphics really are. The music has been given similar treatment. But that’s about it—no artwork to unlock, no history of the game, or anything customizable. A bit of a disappointment, all in all.
If you’re an R-Type fan, then of course you will love this. It is R-Type at its core with some fancy 3D graphics and an enhanced soundtrack to bring it sort of up to date. The core gameplay remains, which is great, as that is what made the game such a hit in the first place. The introduction of different ships adds more strategy than you’re probably used to with a shoot-’em-up and preserves the tight level design and the eerie, environmental storytelling that made the original a cult classic.
R-Type Delta HD Boosted is a serious nostalgia hit that stays true to what made the series legendary, but it’s far from perfect. The classic gameplay, Force mechanics, and tight level design all hold up beautifully, and the option to try different ships adds a welcome bit of strategy. But while the HD visuals are a noticeable upgrade, the muddy low-poly look, inconsistent collision detection, and on-screen chaos often turn skill into guesswork.
R-Type Delta HD Boosted is available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5 (review platform), Xbox Series and PC via Steam.
Developer: City Connection, IREM
Publisher: Clear River Games AB