R-Type DX Game by Nintendo Reviewed by The Avardancer Size: 8 megabits Save: Battery (But ONLY on Game Boy Color) Released: 1999 Works with: All versions of Game Boy. **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: I have to admit that I have never played much of the R-Type series; in fact... I have only played this before in the arcades. And only the first one at that. But, I love a value; and when Nintendo announced this game and that it would contain both R-Type 1 and and R-Type 2.. well... I could not resist. It just sounded so good and then Nintendo goes ahead and says that it's "Five games in one"... well... I bought it when it came out. I certainly hope that this is a good game... **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: Do you like to blow stuff up? Well, do ya? That is what you do in this game. There is a plot; but it is merely an excuse to shoot a TON of stuff. The levels are automatic side scrolling levels; and there are a lot of them. To be honest; there are only two "base" games; but those two games are extended, stretched, and tweaked to fit into a rather nice package deal. There are two versions of both games; IF you play on Game Boy Color. There is a black and white version; where the graphics are black and white.. even on Game Boy Color, and for some odd reason.. the Black and White versions seem easier for some odd reason. I think it has to do with the graphics and the size of your ship. The Color versions make your ship larger and fit more things on-screen. Sadly, a graphic glitch is evident in the GBC version of R-Type 2 and the later levels of the "super hybrid" R-Type DX that makes those games very, very, very hard. To sum it up; this game is pretty tough on the player. There are lots of power-ups and the screen is usually full of lead, enemies, and explosions. Your ship only takes ONE hit to die; so you NEED to be agile and aware. I had no problem beating R-Type 1, and the black and white versions of both games; but the later levels of R-Type 2 are made near impossible thanks to a truly nasty graphic problem that COULD have been avoided in the Color and DX versions. The game is a great challenge; and if you get frustrated easy.. you may want or NEED to avoid this one.. it might just kick your butt. But if you are a persistant person; you'll lov ethis game. It has a lot of levels and even a hidden painting program; but it does lag a little in the "replay value" department. Oh, you NEED a GBC to get the DX mode and the color versions; if you only own a Game Boy, Super Game Boy, or a Game Boy Pocket.. you only get two games in one. Which still isn't a bad deal. Liked: Tough, lots of action, lots of shooting, fantastic power-ups. Hated: The graphics actually affect the gameplay in an adverse way in the later levels in the DX and R-Type 2 Color Version. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The game has graphics that can only be described as "Wow" on Game Boy Color. Minimal Super Game Boy enchancements and no border in this one. The graphics in this game when played on a Game Boy Color remind me of a cross between the NES and a Sega Genesis. I would place the graphics as above NES quality; and just a little below the last generation of Sega Genesis titles. Loads of details in this game; some bosses tend to be very articulated. In the Game Boy Color mode; the ship is larger and makes it a little bit harder to avoid the shots. Enemy fire can sometimes be a bit small and you will discover that your ship blows up nicely when one of those balls hits your ship. The game has a nasty amount of "clipping" near the end R-Type DX and R-Type 2 Color. Clipping is the term for objects that "dissappear" due to processor/screen restraints and/or bad collision detection. In laymans terms... the shots vanish from view but can still hit you. Those "Stealth" enemies can be very annoying.. it makes the game harder and that's a "plus".. but it really isn't that fair and it may turn some people away from the game. You gotta love some of the special effects in the game. There is a level where the background shifts colors, lots of scrolling backgrounds, blinking stars, use of "transparency", and "laser" effects. All together; this is a very nice looking game. It even has some "Mock Mode 7" scrolling in it. Liked: Gorgeous Graphics! Hated: Clipping! I doubt the clipping would be so bad.. if they would have gone for Game Boy Color ONLY. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: The music is a bit odd.. it's loud and frantic; I think that the closest thing I could compare it to is the "Imperial March" from Star Wars. (You know.. Darth Vader's music.) Sound effects are explosion and crash effects. The Sound Effects in the GBC modes are enchanced a little. Some nice stuff here. :) Liked: It's good music, and good sound effects. Hated: To be honest... the fifty millionth time you hear that song.. you'll start to dislike it... **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: The Play Control is accurate and can be customized in the GBC modes. That's nice. But.. the real gem here is the very cool game engine. It's pure genius! They take two old Game Boy games, strap them into one cartridge, add special full color versions along with the black and white versions.. and then splice them together to form one long game. Imagine if someone did this with Operation C and Contra: Alien Wars. Or Super Mario Land 1 & 2, or both Castlevania Adventure games, or if someone went totally beserk and took this idea and made a "Nine in 1" game with the first four Mega Man games for that next Game Boy system. That would be immaculately divine. Or if someone did this the two Bubble Bobble games, or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle games. Oh, what a WONDERFUL world it would be if Nintendo decided to just "go for broke" and produce a whole mess of games that follow this concept. I love the Game Engine of this game and I can not express the sheer genius of it any more. Liked: It's just so good! Hated: Umm... what if someone took this engine and made... say "Home Alone Deluxe"? **************************************************************************** Improve: Make it GBC ONLY or don't make it at all. RIYL: Nemesis, Gradius, Paridius, Turrican, Defender. **************************************************************************** Final Words: If you love a good challenge... this pak owns you. If you are not an action fan and/or do not want to play a hard game.. avoid it. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: ***** Play Control/Game Design: ***** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 25 out of 25 Final Score: 100% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: Beat the Color Versions of R-Type 1 & 2 to earn a special "gift". Oh, and if you wanna skip a level you have already played.. press START to pause and then press B.