Genre: Shooting/Action
Platform: Game Boy/Game Boy Color
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

R-Type DX is a recreation of a game called R-Type and also the sequel, R-Type II. Both were arcade games. I never played them, though. Basically, something called the BYDO Empire (I have no idea what that stands for) is going to launch an all-out assault on Earth. You, in a ship called the R-90, must go defeat them before that happens. Why only one ship? Because otherwise they'd detect the ships and there would be no surprise attack! R-Type II is a lot the same, except that the BYDO Empire still lives.

There used to be a game called R-Type for Game Boy. It had both R-Type and R-Type II (the arcade versions) on it, but in black and white, of course. Or maybe it only had R-Type, I have no idea. In any case, there are five modes of play in R-Type DX. R-Type DX (R-Type I and II combined), R-Type I (color version), R-Type II (color version), R-Type I (black and white version), and R-Type II (black and white version).  This makes this one of the rare GBC games that will also play on Game Boy. However, if you want to get the full effects, play it on a Game Boy Color.

This is out of five stars.

Graphics: ** 1/2

The graphics are not spectacular. They do not "wow" me, but they also aren't horrible.

Sound and Music: * 1/2

The music is not good, I'll tell you that. The boss music is nice, but that's it. It doesn't annoy me, but they could have improved it a lot.

Difficulty: ****

This game is very difficult. It's not just a simple "shoot-em-up". You also have to evade walls and other obstacles. Also, if your ship is destroyed, you need to start over at a certain "point" in the level (there are various points in the level that when you pass, you'll come back to if your ship blows up). Why can't it just go back to where it was? Plus, the boss Rios in R-Type II is near impossible, ESPECIALLY on R-Type DX. I've beaten him on R-Type II, but not R-Type DX.

Controls: *** 1/2

The controls are simple and decent. I gave it a higher score because there are more than just one setup for it.

Levels: ***

The levels are nice, but like I said, all of those barriers get on your nerves. Why can't they remove those and put in more enemies? I don't like having to avoid them, it takes some of the thrill from the game.

Concept: ***

I have to admit it's pretty creative, but not too creative. Instead of remaking R-Type games, why can't they make a new one? I know there was an R-Type 3 for SNES.

Story: * 1/2

There isn't too much of a story, sad to say. Then again, this game doesn't really need one.

Bosses: *

I really don't like the bosses. In this game, I'd expect more of a shooting while dodging sort of thing, but instead there are these bosses that are hard to beat unless you know the trick to beating them, and then most of them are easy. Also, the fifth boss in R-Type I takes forever to beat unless you have what is known as a Force Ball, and is nearly impossible unless you have a Bit protecting you from above (a Bit is a small ball that will protect your ship from attacks directly from above). Also, like I said, Rios is near impossible, especially on R-Type DX. I still haven't beaten him, even on Easy.

Replayability: **

Yeah, yeah, you can try to beat all five games, but that's almost it. Also, beating R-Type DX is pretty much the same as beating R-Type I and R-Type II. On the other hand, the R-Type DX version of R-Type II is harder than R-Type II.

Secrets: 1/2

The only secret is some sort of drawing thing. Joy.

Fun Factor!: *** 1/2

I have to admit, this game is pretty fun. Frustrating at times, but fun.

OVERALL: ***

This is a good game for an R-Type fan to get, but you probably won't want it if you're not a fan of this sort of thing. There have been plenty of R-Type games, and this one is pretty good. But trust me, you want a Game Boy Color for THIS game. I'd suggest trying to find a used copy, because I think $30 is a bit too much. $20 is more like the correct amount.

Want to review a game yourself? Email me!
Go back to Lemmy's Reviews.
Go back to my main page.