R-Type Dimensions coming to Xbox Live Arcade

[parallaxscroll]

I have been playing R-Type since summer 1989, a little time after came out for the Master System in the U.S. I never got to play the original coin-op arcade machine, although with MAME I was able to experience what the arcade was like, and was also able to find a copy of R-Types for the PlayStation which has near-exact replicas of R-Type and R-Type II.


I was really excited when I learned that R-Type Dimensions was not yet another attempt at a 3D sequel like Delta and Final, but a remake of the first two games. This is for me, literally, a dream come true, even though it might not be what everyone else wanted.

IMHO this HD remake / remix of R-Type and R-Type II for Xbox Live Arcade looks absolutely stunning. It might also come out for PSN, but as of right now, it's going to be for XBLA only and it should be released sometime in Q1 2009, probably for $10 or so. Whatever XBLA games cost.

This will be a real treat for me, because I plan to finally get a 360 in the coming months now that the (hopefully reliable) Jasper units have made their way to stores.

What strikes me about R-Type Dimensions is the graphics have been remade with high quality new artwork and lighting effects in high-definition, and there is a new angled perspective. All of this is optional. You can play with the original old sprite graphics. Or you can play with the new remade HD graphics in normal perspective. You can switch between old graphics, new graphics *and* angled perspective, on-the-fly. So lets say you like the new HD graphics but don't like the new perspective, no problem, you can play without the shift in view but with the updated visuals. Something for everyone in terms of visual presentation.

There is also, for the first time in R-Type I & II, 2-player co-op mode, locally, or over LIVE!


Check out these videos:

TGS 2008 trailer
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/41124.html
http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_8957_en.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgSdQ8JUrX8

additional TGS video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfdcKmwB7q0
Check out the entrance to the BYDO base as it shifts from original graphics to new graphics with all the new detail and new perspective @ the 0.18 mark. This is the 'best-case' for why the new graphics and new perspective actually work to a good effect, IMO. I don't know if anyone agrees, but for those that might, you probably won't think so from any other footage or screenshot, except that part. I was skeptical myself about the new graphics and especially the new perspective, but that part blew me away and convinced me it'll work.

recent developer interview with more footage
http://www.gamereactor.eu/grtv/?id=3568
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc0_21HOSYo




all released screenshots
http://www.gamersyde.com/news_7195_en.html
http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/1...39/imgs_1.html























http://www.gamersdailynews.com/story...-for-XBLA.html

“R-Type Dimensions” combines the genre-defining coin-op classics “R-Type” and “R-Type II,” with a twist. Although classic gameplay remains untouched, “R-Type Dimensions” elevates the experience to greater heights with brand-new additions and enhancements. For the first time, “R-Type Dimensions” allows multiplayer co-op play locally or over Xbox LIVE for up to two players.* Fight through all 14 Bydo-infested stages in the original 2-D or all-new 3-D graphics with the ability to swap back and forth between the two seamlessly. Strike down the evil Bydo Empire and save the earth in “R-Type Dimensions.”

Features:

“R-Type Dimensions” features include the following:
• Single player and co-op play. Locally or on Xbox LIVE for up to two players
• “R-Type” and “R-Type II.” Two full playable classic coin-op games
• All-new Infinite game mode. Assuring completion of games regardless of skill level
• Classic game mode. Play that exactly mimics the original coin-op experiences
• Statistics tracking. Track all the player’s vital stats
• Two free gamer pictures. Can be unlocked by players of all skill levels
• Achievements. Range from easy to advanced, making them appropriate for every skill level
• All-new 3-D graphics plus 2-D original graphics. Swap between graphic modes on the fly

This game will be the reason I sign up for an Xbox Live Gold membership, I can't wait ^__^

[heybtbm]

I hope it's better than R-Type Final

What was wrong with R-Type Final?

[maxlords]

An R-Type NOT made by Irem? Feh I say.

[Graham Mitchell]

An R-Type NOT made by Irem? Feh I say.

Although the link isn't working for me, he did say "Published" by Microsoft. We still don't know who the developer is.

[Lady Jaye]

Hey, I liked R-Type Final!

[Sabz5150]

Although the link isn't working for me, he did say "Published" by Microsoft. We still don't know who the developer is.

"The game is being developed by Tozai Inc"

If it isn't Irem, it isn't R-Type. And for the record, Final kicked a rather nice amount of ass.

[parallaxscroll]

Final was good but not good enough IMO.

Even with R-Type Dimensions not being made by Irem, I'm hopin' it is something as impressive as AICOM's Pulstar was on the Neo-Geo in the mid 90s.

[G-Boobie]

Final was good but not good enough IMO.

Even with R-Type Dimensions not being made by Irem, I'm hopin' it is something as impressive as AICOM's Pulstar was on the Neo-Geo in the mid 90s.

What, in your opinion, was lacking in Final? I thought it was one of the better shmups of last generation, and easily the most impressive in terms of pure replay value.

[parallaxscroll]

http://www.gamereactor.eu/grtv/?id=3568

or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc0_21HOSYo

New developer interview. They had to reverse engineer the original game ROM for this new updated version.

There's more footage here, and IMO the new HD artwork/graphics looks spectacular.

[parallaxscroll]

What, in your opinion, was lacking in Final? I thought it was one of the better shmups of last generation, and easily the most impressive in terms of pure replay value.

R-Type Final had wonderful graphics but it seemed rushed, and the gameplay wasn't very strategic like the original.

R-Type Delta on PS1, although inferior visually, was a better playing game.

[Hwj_Chim]

this game looks cool. I hope it makes its way to the pc so i can play it

[swlovinist]

Good interview, game looks fantastic. I like the direction they went with the game.

[parallaxscroll]

Good interview, game looks fantastic. I like the direction they went with the game.

Me too.

Not everyone agrees though. Some people think it looks like crap. Of the comments I read, it seems about half of people love it, and the other half hate it. Not much middle-ground.

I happen to really like the direction they went with it, like you.

[Graham Mitchell]

I think it looks cool, myself.

Most of my experience with R-type is from consoles, so is the music they're using in the video the new arrangements or is it the actual music from the arcade ROM? I've only ever come into contact with an R-type machine once over 10 years ago, and it sounded identical to the TG-16 version from what I could tell.

[parallaxscroll]

It sounded like music from the arcade ROM, but I'll have to listen to it again carefully to be sure.

The TurboGrafx-16 version had basicly the same music, running through its inferior sound chip which made music sound very 'tinny'.

[Chainclaw]

I know Irem also does Bumpy Trot (I'm dieing to play this series...) and I'm pretty sure there is a PSP or PS3 game coming out in that series, and I know that they do the awesome Disaster Report series, and that has a third game coming out for the PSP.

How many teams do they have? Disaster Report came out, the next year R-Type Final came out, then two years later Raw Danger came out in Japan, and a year after that Bumpy Trot came out.

[parallaxscroll]

If you didn't have the full coin-op arcade machine in your home, this was the best way to play R-Type in the late 80s, if you wanted a more faithful rendition than what the PC-Engine / TurboGrafx-16 could offer:

R-Type on the Sharp X68000


It blew away all other home computers versions, including MSX, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Atari ST and Amiga!

[Overbite]

damn i want one of those things. what else can it do?

[parallaxscroll]

damn i want one of those things. what else can it do?

X68000 can play near-perfect ports of many late 80s / early 90s arcade games.
It's moot now because of emulation and modern consoles that can handle ports or emulations of arcade games, but back then, X68000 was the only machine save NeoGeo that could reproduce the arcade in your home.

[TurboGenesis]

X68000 can play near-perfect ports of many late 80s / early 90s arcade games.
It's moot now because of emulation and modern consoles that can handle ports or emulations of arcade games, but back then, X68000 was the only machine save NeoGeo that could reproduce the arcade in your home.

*Bow Down*

I have always wanted a Sharp X68000
The X68k had many great games and did many ports the best.


ON TOPIC,
I am looking forward to getting this on my Xbox 360. I cut my teeth on R-Type for the Turbo Grafx-16 as a child - paid $70 for it back then and played it for months non stop… best $70 i spend!

It would be nice to see some X-Multiply on the XBLA too (wishful thinking)