R-Type is a science-fiction horizontal-scrolling shooter video game franchise developed and published by Irem for arcade systems and home game platforms. The first entry in the series was released in 1987, R-Type, followed by several sequels for other platforms. Ten games in total have been released in the series. Other pieces of media, such as plastic-resin model kits, soundtrack albums and literature, were also produced. The series centers on an intergalactic war between humans and the Bydo, a powerful extraterrestrial race that are made from both biological lifeforms and mechanical structures. Most games have the player controlling the R-9 "Arrowhead" star vessel, although other entries have slightly altered versions of the ship instead.
R-Type video games have been released for multiple home video game consoles, as well as personal computers, handheld systems and mobile phones. Several games in the series were also released for digital distribution services, such as Xbox Live Arcade, alongside dedicated compilation games for other systems. Most entries are horizontal-scrolling shooter games, although a number have expanded into other genres, such as tactical role-playing games. The R-Type series is considered one of the most important video game franchises established in the 1980s; [1] the original is also cited as one of the greatest video games ever made.[ citation needed ]
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1987 – Arcade 1988 – Atari ST, Commodore 64, Master System, MSX2, PC-88, TurboGrafx-16, ZX Spectrum |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1989 – Arcade 1991 – Amiga, Atari ST |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1993 – SNES 2004 – Game Boy Advance |
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Original release date(s): [4] | Release years by system: 1998 – PlayStation 2009 – PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 2003 – PlayStation 2 |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 2021 – Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
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Original release date(s): March 2023 | Release years by system: PlayStation 5 |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1991 – Arcade |
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| Release years by system: 1992 – Arcade |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 2007 – PlayStation Portable |
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Original release date(s): [10]
| Release years by system: 2009 – PlayStation Portable |
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R-Type: Flash of the Void Original release date(s): [12]
| Release years by system: 2009 – PlayStation Home |
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Original release date(s): [13] | Release years by system: 1998 – PlayStation 2006 – PlayStation 3 |
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R-Type DX Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1999 – Game Boy Color |
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R-Type Dimensions Original release date(s): [15] X360
| Release years by system: 2009 – Xbox 360 2014 – PlayStation 3 [15] 2018 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Steam |
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R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos Original release date(s): 2025 [17] [18] | Release years by system: 2025 - Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S |
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Granzella Inc. is a Japanese video game developer based in Ishikawa, Japan. The company is formed from former Irem staff and engaged in planning, production and sales of console games. The company is known for developing the latest entry in the Disaster Report and R-Type series. Granzella was established in April 2011 by former staff of Irem Software Engineering Inc. after the cancellation of multiple video game projects as a result of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The name of the company is derived from "Granzella Revolution Army," which appeared in R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate, a game from the R-Type series developed by the staff at Irem.
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R-Type Final 2 is a horizontal-scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Granzella. Part of Irem's long-running R-Type series, it is a sequel to R-Type Final released in 2004, and the first R-Type game in over a decade, after the release of R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate in 2009. The game was released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on April 29, 2021. An updated version titled R-Type Final 3 Evolved was released for the PlayStation 5 on March 23, 2023.
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