R-Types

"2 Perfect games on 1 CD"

What is R-Types?
R-Types is the greatest side scrolling shooter that I have ever played. I played R-Type I + II at the arcades (coin-op) all the way up until 1990. I had a Power Base Converter for my Genesis and played R-Type from the Master System at home. I never saw a port of II to a home platform. I have actually beaten I on the Genesis/PBC; but now that I have both games on 1 CD for Playstation and will be able to play this CD on PS2, it looks like I'll be shooting the Bydos for years to come.
What's the port to Playstation like?
Pretty good. They added a CG cartoon at the beginning which is weird for us old-timers; but a nice addition nonetheless. The ability to save what levels you have unlocked makes beating the game more realistic (if you like me, refuse to use a gameshark). To date I haven't beaten R-II; but this is because I've been busy with some new games. I cannot imagine what it would cost to attempt beating it at the arcades. The other nice playstation feature is that mid-level you can pause and return to previous levels to collect items~ which is especially helpful when you are attempting the latter levels.
How's the music?
It is appropriately authentic. Which is to say, it is nothing you would listen to in a CD player; but it makes game play very fun. What's more important than the music are the sound effects. They are amazing. I like the sound effects for shooting, blowing up, charging, etc. better in R-Types better than (or at least as well as) the bloops and bings in the Resident Evil interface (whose sound-effects are copyright and trademarked).
Will I replay?
Yes, you will. This is a game to buy. Don't try a rental, this is a proven classic. You can always play this. You're going somewhere in fifteen minutes? Well, you have time for a few quick levels of R-type. This game fills the niche that timed ranking survival horror leave (ie: you have to commit to playing to make an A Rank resident Evil run).
Why do you keep mentioning Resident Evil?
Its all about a virus turning things into monsters and staggeringly bad odds that you will survive in both games. There are amazing but limited power-ups and you can only carry so much (one ammo type at a time).

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/11/00, Updated 04/11/00