R-Type DX Game by Nintendo, Irem Software Engineering, INC., Bits Studio Limited Reviewed by @XE Spoonaxe@hotmail.com Size: 8 megabits Save: Back-up battery saves High scores and the ability to level-select to bypass levels already passed (but only on color!) Released: 1999 Works with: Black cart (works with all Game boy units) **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: I never did play the original R-type's but I decided it was about time. So many people can't be wrong! **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion (Taco Bell version): Okay, heres the story: the evil Bydo Empire has decided that it might be fun to destroy Earth. Earth doesn't want that, so the world government sends you in to stop the Bydo. You are in a single R-Type fighter, since the Bydo could easily stop a full assault of thousands of ships. (thats interesting, they send in one man because a thousand can't do it!) Your mission: kill El Supremo, the evil overlord of the Bydo, who's name sounds like a Taco Bell value meal. Sounds like an easy job, you say to yourself, since you can down a Gordita (TM) in under a minute. But El Supremo ain't no Gordita (TM). He's one of those nasty Taco Salads that nobody can ever eat in one sitting. and just when you think your done, you realize that you forgot to eat the taco shell bowl. Gameplay Descripion (English Version): Okay, this kind of game doesn't really need a story: you must save the Earth, BLAM BLAM, from an evil alien ,BLAM BLAM, who... well, you get the idea. there really is no need for a story, its just BLAM the crud out of everything that moves. and its fun! there are 5 games on the pak, R-Type, R-Type II, R-Type color, R-Type II color, and R-type DX (R-Type and R-Type II strung together in one big mission, in color). Even though there are really only two games, the black and white mode is extremely different than the colorized version, and I will definitely play through that (after I finish the colorized versions). The coolest thing is the power pod. The first powerup you get, regardless of what weapon (fire, bubble, or laser), becomes the power pod (unless it is speed up). the power pod is invulnerable to all attacks, and can be attached at the front or back of the R-type as a shield. you can also have it floating free, and use it as a wingman. In some levels, you absolutely have to change where you keep your pod, since enemies might attack you from different directions (level 3 in part I is an assault on a giant spaceship, you must go underneath it and back up over the tail fin, shot at the whole way.) Liked: A great shooter with some very creative weaponry. Hated: I need to see my dentist now, I have been gnashing my teeth! It is SOOOO hard! **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The graphics are very good for a black cartridge. colors are excellent, detail is great. The R-type looks more detailed in color, and the B&W version plays in a color pallet (on GBC) that makes it feel like the old, original GB (the background color is a greenish-tan). The most surprising thing, though, was that in some levels, the background scrolls at a different pace than the foreground (a trick to simulate 3D usually found only in 16-bit systems!) All of that is good and all, but there is some sprite clipping issues. Sprites may disapear at points. sort of annoying, but it doesn't make for any negative gameplay issues. Liked: Pretty graphics, great colorization of B&W mode on the GBC. Hated: ugh! Bad, bad, bad sprite clipping! **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: This is where the game takes a hit. the music is pretty good... for about 10 minutes. After that it will give you a headache. there is an option to turn it off though. Sound effects are clear and sound nice, sounds like an arcade shooter's blaster, fireballs, etc. Liked: nice sounds, music can be turned off. Hated: Music grates on the ears. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: Control is tight, yet when you get 2 or more speedups, you might have a hard time keeping from bumping into something. The game is incredibly difficult, and you will definitely need to practice a lot before you get to be very good at it. There is also two auto fire modes for the GBC, and they can help with playing some. (but if you want to get a high hit ratio, forget it...) Liked: Responsive controls, auto mode 1. Hated: Hard as heck! **************************************************************************** Improve: maybe some more levels, fix sprite clipping. RIYL: Defender (well, sorta), Other space shooter games **************************************************************************** Final Words: It is a good escape from all of those games where you must think. this is twitch reaction gaming, and thats not at all a bad thing. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: 5 to 5 stars Graphics: 4 to 5 stars Sound/Music: 3 to 5 stars Play Control/Game Design: 5 to 5 stars Personal Opinion: 5 to 5 stars Total: 22 Final Score: 88% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: none yet.