R-Type games will disappear from Wii Shop soon

[Ghegs]

Turned on my Wii to check for new exciting Wiiware games, as I do every Friday (a futile attempt, I know) and found this notification in the What's New -box:

Hello,

we would like to let you know that the following titles will become unavailable for purchase on March 31, 2012.

- Super R-Type (SNES)
- R-Type III The Third Lightning (SNES)

The titles will continue to be available for re-download if you have purchased them before March 31, 2012.

WiiShop Channel team

So, just a heads up if somebody wants to get them before they're gone. Nice of them to put up an official notification, at least.

IREM's really working hard in removing any trace of their past. Wonder if XBLA's R-Type Dimensions is next on the chopping block?

[drunkninja24]

I still have the actual carts and an SNES emu on my Wii, but this is still sad to see and is just another reason I hate digital distribution as a primary method for game distribution.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Hmm ive yet to grab R-Type Dimentions, is it a sound port?

THX for the heads up btw

[Ghegs]

Hmm ive yet to grab R-Type Dimentions, is it a sound port?

Considering the devs didn't get any source code to do the port from (they reverse-engineered it), it's pretty good. Overall I'd say it's a decent version - the first game is better in terms of accuracy, the second one is missing some enemies here and there for some reason. I'm using the PS1 R-Types as the point of comparison there, as I'm more familiar with that. You also can't change your button configuration in Dimensions, which is a bummer.

[bcass]

Dimensions is excellent. Think of it more of a remake than a slavishly accurate port. The only negative IMO is the lack of leaderboard replays, which we've all come to think of as standard these days. I don't think it'll be going anywhere as it was neither developed or published by IREM.

[MathU]

Why are they doing this?

[Barrakketh]

Why are they doing this?

I've read that Irem has pulled most (all?) of their games from PSN, and late last year they pulled the Sega Master System version of R-Type from the VC.

I never saw a reason as to why.

[AntiFritz]

That sucks, at least I'll be able to re download my copy if rtype 3 i bought a few years back.

[Moniker]

Tangentially, I really hope the Wii-U will somehow accept transfers from a Wii store account. My Wii already doesn't run discs; I figure it's only a matter of time before it keels over completely. Since this is the first gen that really incorporated DLC, it won't be too long before it's apparent how persistent digital purchases are.

[Estebang]

Why are they doing this?

My guess is that Irem is gradually selling the rights to all their games to a currently unknown party to remain solvent. You don't need to keep paying Sony to have your games stay available on PSN, right?

I don't think it's Tozai Games, even though they own Spelunker now. If they got a hold of R-Type they'd be shouting it from the rooftops, and re-releasing the games on VC almost immediately (as they did with Spelunker HD).



I'm really sorry it had to end this way, Irem. You made a valiant effort at staying relevant through the PS2 era, but the shit hit the fan once HD and smartphones took over. You will be missed. May the pachinko gods bestow upon thee a greater fortune.

P.S. Playstation Home was a complete waste of your time and resources.

[Kiken]

Hmm ive yet to grab R-Type Dimentions, is it a sound port?

Considering the devs didn't get any source code to do the port from (they reverse-engineered it), it's pretty good. Overall I'd say it's a decent version - the first game is better in terms of accuracy, the second one is missing some enemies here and there for some reason. I'm using the PS1 R-Types as the point of comparison there, as I'm more familiar with that. You also can't change your button configuration in Dimensions, which is a bummer.

Don't forget that it also adds 2-player simultaneous play to both games (which is a first for the series).

[Ghegs]

Hmm ive yet to grab R-Type Dimentions, is it a sound port?

Considering the devs didn't get any source code to do the port from (they reverse-engineered it), it's pretty good. Overall I'd say it's a decent version - the first game is better in terms of accuracy, the second one is missing some enemies here and there for some reason. I'm using the PS1 R-Types as the point of comparison there, as I'm more familiar with that. You also can't change your button configuration in Dimensions, which is a bummer.

Don't forget that it also adds 2-player simultaneous play to both games (which is a first for the series).

Yeah, it's surprisingly fun and works really well, from a gameplay point of view at least. Sadly the online play has a bit of lag to it, making things a tad more difficult for the non-host player. I've mused about this before, but I really want to make a two-player no-miss superplay of Dimensions one day.

[JOW]

2-player simultaneous play to both games (which is a first for the series).

...didn't Leo have simultaneous 2P?

[Kiken]

2-player simultaneous play to both games (which is a first for the series).

...didn't Leo have simultaneous 2P?

Yes it does. I suppose I should have clarified by saying that it's the first time a part of the main series has had 2-player simultaneous play (or that aspect introduced to it).

[Bloodreign]

Good thing I own both SNES games, R-Types PS1, Final, and DX on GB. Also good thing I picked up the TG-16 R-Type for Wii VC, and Delta off PSN a mere couple months ago. Shame I missed out on the SMS version, but good thing I have an SMS system here, so that option isn't gone.

[MintyTheCat]

This is exactly why I avoid DLC like the Plague - it isn't worth spending any money whatsoever and indeed they should offer this type of stuff for free, get some stats on interest and then release real media. I dislike how disposable media is these days - bring back the good old Days of Cartrridge Media I say

[Ed Oscuro]

Why must you tear down, Irem? That's what the Rusty Nailers would do, not Hammerin' Harry.

[Ghegs]

The announcement has been updated. Now, also the TG-16 version of R-Type will be taken down, as well as that console's versions of Vigilante, Ninja Spirit and Legend of Hero Tonma, all Irem games.

[antron]

maybe they just want to release them on an Irem Anthology disc?

[Vyxx]

maybe they just want to release them on an Irem Anthology disc?

Doubt it. Still, this sucks.

[Marc]

I thought Dimensions was a solid port, up until the bit where I made the level three boss, equipped the backward air/ground laser, and it flat out refuses to hit the weak spot. What the fuck? You don't change, or miss, something as fundamental as that in a conversion, reverse-engineered or otherwise!

[evil_ash_xero]

That's a damn shame.

Luckily, I own the games, and also have the wads. So...screw you, IREM.

[gs68]

Dimensions = no remappable buttons = uhhhh no