Best R-Type game?

[Kollision]

And for the best R-Type "themed" Shmup (if that is the correct word) I would say Xexex expanded on the idea and did it way better.

That is grotesquely wrong. The levels of the better R-Type games are fine-tuned to the point of perfection, Xexex's can be quite a bit of a mess at times. And while the force usually shows hints of artificial intelligence or at least moves somewhat predictably when detached, the flint only displays some kind of artificial dumbness and moves straight into nearby walls.

The PSP version fixes that in Xexex, I think. It's not as dumb as I remember it being when I played it in MAME.

hmmm... my impression was that it behaved pretty much the same way on MAME and on PSP.

[Ghegs]

Tight battle for the first place between the original game and Delta, followed by II.

I've actually made a list of R-Type -esque games that I've been keeping up to date, but it's never been used anywhere, so might as well post it here:

R-Type (Arcade, PS1, Xbox 360)
R-Type II (Arcade, PS1, Xbox 360)
Super R-Type (SNES)
R-Type III (SNES, GBA)
R-Type Delta (PS1)
R-Type Final (PS2)

X-Multiply (Arcade, PS1, Saturn)

Scorpio (Amiga)
Katakis (Amiga)
Katakis (C64)
Z-Out (Amiga)

Xexex (Arcade, PSP)

Image Fight (Arcade, PS1, Saturn)
Image Fight II (PCE)
Rezon (Arcade only)

Dux (DC)
Redux (DC)

Pulstar (Neo Geo MVS/AES/CD)
Last Resort (Neo Geo MVS/AES/CD)
Last Hope (Neo Geo, AES/CD only?)
Last Hope: Pink Bullets (Neo Geo MVS)

RayXanber (FM Towns)
RayXanber II (PCE)
RayXanber III (PCE)
Violent Soldier/Sinistron (PCE)
Paranoia/Psychosis (PCE)

Prototype (PC)
Prototype II (PC)
G-Type (PC)
Y2 (X68000)

[J-Manic]

#1 is Delta for its soundtrack.

[SuperDeadite]

Tight battle for the first place between the original game and Delta, followed by II.

I've actually made a list of R-Type -esque games that I've been keeping up to date, but it's never been used anywhere, so might as well post it here:

R-Type (Arcade, PS1, Xbox 360)
R-Type II (Arcade, PS1, Xbox 360)
Super R-Type (SNES)
R-Type III (SNES, GBA)
R-Type Delta (PS1)
R-Type Final (PS2)

X-Multiply (Arcade, PS1, Saturn)

Katakis (Amiga)

Xexex (Arcade, PSP)

Image Fight (Arcade, PS1, Saturn)
Rezon (Arcade only)

Dux (DC)
Redux (DC)

Pulstar (Neo Geo MVS/AES/CD)
Last Resort (Neo Geo MVS/AES/CD)
Last Hope (Neo Geo, AES/CD only?)
Last Hope: Pink Bullets (Neo Geo MVS)

RayXanber (PCE)
RayXanber II (PCE)
RayXanber III (PCE)
Violent Soldier/Sinistron? (PCE)

Prototype (PC)
Prototype II (PC)
G-Type (PC)
Y2 (X68000)

RayXanber is not on PCE, it's an FM Towns exclusive.
Violent Soldier and Sinistron are in theory the same game, but it should be noted there were a lot of changed made,
enemy patterns are completely different between the two, (VS is a lot harder then S).
And don't forget about Image Fight II, PCE exclusive, and it rules.

[ciox]

Bio-Hazard Battle should make that list I think, far better fit than Image Fight for example.

[Vyxx]

And for the best R-Type "themed" Shmup (if that is the correct word) I would say Xexex expanded on the idea and did it way better.

That is grotesquely wrong. The levels of the better R-Type games are fine-tuned to the point of perfection, Xexex's can be quite a bit of a mess at times. And while the force usually shows hints of artificial intelligence or at least moves somewhat predictably when detached, the flint only displays some kind of artificial dumbness and moves straight into nearby walls.

Well I rather like the somewhat "open" feel of some of the Xexex levels when compared to the ultra fined tuned levels in the r-type series.

Also, I have mostly played Xexex in depth on the PSP Salamander collection in which the flints detachable parts have severely increased intelligence, compared to the PCB original.

[Pretas]

Fuck Super R-Type.

I think Super R-Type is a perfectly competent game, ignoring the dull first stage and total absence of checkpoints. Wonder if someone could possibly create a rom hack that adds mid-stage checkpoints.

Side note, I played the original R-Type at an Uno's restaurant today on one of those little "make your order without having to talk to the waiter" kiosk tablets. Was a nice surprise to see in a place like that. It's the demo of the DotEmu smartphone version, so it has touchscreen controls and cuts you off before you can kill Dobkeratops.

[Edge]

1. R-Type Delta
2. R-Type
3. R-Type Leo (it's an awesome game, but doesn't really feel much like R-Type)
4. R-Type 2
5. R-Type Final

(didn't play R-Type 3 and Super R-Type much yet.)

[Ghegs]

RayXanber is not on PCE, it's an FM Towns exclusive.
Violent Soldier and Sinistron are in theory the same game, but it should be noted there were a lot of changed made,
enemy patterns are completely different between the two, (VS is a lot harder then S).
And don't forget about Image Fight II, PCE exclusive, and it rules.

Ah, right you are. I even used to have Image Fight II, don't know how that slipped my mind.

Gonna have to give Bio-Hazard Battle a try...

[Herr Schatten]

Also, I have mostly played Xexex in depth on the PSP Salamander collection in which the flints detachable parts have severely increased intelligence, compared to the PCB original.

I actually didn't know that the flint's AI had been fixed for the PSP port. I only played the arcade version and I vividly remember cursing its dumbness throughout the whole STGT week.

I've actually made a list of R-Type -esque games that I've been keeping up to date

Suggested additions:
- Katakis (c64) (completely different game compared to the one on the Amiga)
- Paranoia/Psychosis (PCE)
- Rezon (Arcade)
- Scorpio (Amiga)
- Z-Out (Amiga)

Gonna have to give Bio-Hazard Battle a try...

You absolutely should!

[Ed Oscuro]

Scorpio Amiga -> Scorpius X68000?

[Herr Schatten]

Scorpio Amiga -> Scorpius X68000?

No. Scorpio Amiga is a vertical R-Type rip-off that even goes as far as copying and pasting whole bosses and level sections.

[Bloodreign]

I'll go with the R-Type 3 first, then Delta, then 1 and 2.

X-Multiply I quite like a lot, I love that I finally have a legit copy with Image Fight around for my PS2 (paid $57 for an Arcade Gears PS1 copy, astounding, plus it was a found in the wild and not online type deal). The game isn't so hard and gently gets you into it before it starts beating the hell out of you.

[Ghegs]

I've actually made a list of R-Type -esque games that I've been keeping up to date

Suggested additions:
- Katakis (c64) (completely different game compared to the one on the Amiga)
- Paranoia/Psychosis (PCE)
- Rezon (Arcade)
- Scorpio (Amiga)
- Z-Out (Amiga)!

Already had Rezon on the list (and I even own the PCB, I like it) but the others were unknown to me, thanks.

[MathU]

I used to think that III was the best but that long first stage really is a hype killer. It would also be nice if it had some way to start on the second loop.

I'd say the first R-Type really has the best combination of brilliant level design, good pacing, and challenge.

[BrianC]

I need to play more of the others, but I'm leaning towards the first R-Type as my favorite. I like what I played of II and III, though. Also, as odd as it sounds, the speed of the SMS version feels somewhat closer to the arcade compared to the R-Types port, though the latter is more accurate in other ways. I played a real R-Type cab last year and I noticed it has slowdown in places, as well as feeling slower than the version in R-Types.

[Ghegs]

You felt correctly; the arcade version runs at a refresh rate of 55.017606 Hz while the R-Types port runs at the PS1 standard 60Hz.

To me that just makes the port the better version, because it's a little tiny smidgen harder.

[MommysBestGames]

I don't think there's an R-type game (or themed related one) I didn't like.
Sticking with actual R-Type, I loved the solid design of the original game, almost everything feels perfect in terms of difficulty, achieving a little more distance into the levels.
The dark theme and aesthetic of Delta was great as Kiken said, along with the ship balancing. Lots of originality too in that game for level design. And I kinda dig dirty PS1 textures, seems to work okay for that game (but for instance, I think they look ugly in a bad way in G-Darius).
I loved Final for all the ships, and finding new changes in levels, and the completely strange last level and surprises. I really, really, really wished Final had an unlockable level rearrange option, so when I was looking for new ships, I could enjoy playing some of the later levels more frequently.
I agree with others, the force pods in III were pretty interesting. I kinda like how sick and tricky level 4 was with the lava going every direction! But mostly only for doing it once--to experience it. Trying to beat that without dying must be awful.
Also, cheers to NG Dev team for Last Hope. Pretty enjoyable!

[BIL]

Regarding R-Types, it's a shame there wasn't a Vol.2 containing III and Leo, Thunder Force Gold Pack 2-style. I have the former on SFC and the latter is decent in MAME, but it'd still have been neat to get I-IV and the series' "Gaiden" on one platform.

[Deca]

Leo is the only one I really enjoy and it's mostly because of the music.

[Kobayashi]

#1 is Delta for its soundtrack.

Super R-Type has an amazing soundtrack too, using the power of SNES's chip sound very well. Listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0ph7T9tiak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AkX3I41TOY

[Ed Oscuro]

Scorpio Amiga -> Scorpius X68000?

No. Scorpio Amiga is a vertical R-Type rip-off that even goes as far as copying and pasting whole bosses and level sections.

Not what I meant at all, but thanks for the update on the Amiga game

Just pointing out the name/system similarities, sorry for the confusion there.

[Kollision]

I just remembered Papillon Gals / Galactic Crusader is a vert that uses an R-Type like shield

[BrianC]

It's no R-Type, but I like Whip Rush quite a bit. It has a R-Type-ish ship and pods, though the pods work differently.

[friedrich]

The original is the best one. Delta is in second place.

[R-Gray 1]

#1 is Delta for its soundtrack.

Super R-Type has an amazing soundtrack too, using the power of SNES's chip sound very well. Listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0ph7T9tiak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AkX3I41TOY

Agree
Even my comment appear in As wet as a fish Yb video frm 1 year ago about shmups music
I like Super R-Type and Delta is very good also. I need to beat this games some day

[Edmond Dantes]

I gotta question for the people who criticize Xexex (which I haven't played extensively, but anyway)

Are you playing the US version or the Japanese? Because there are huge differences between them--including the AI of the tentacle things (which is why I suspect people who criticize are playing the US version).

[NzzpNzzp]

The flint having AI at all is kind of a problem. I like my shields dumb and predictable, not capable of deciding they want to run away so I can get killed.

[Herr Schatten]

I gotta question for the people who criticize Xexex (which I haven't played extensively, but anyway)

Are you playing the US version or the Japanese? Because there are huge differences between them--including the AI of the tentacle things (which is why I suspect people who criticize are playing the US version).

I, for one, was referring to the Japanese version, which is the one we played during STGT.

[Bydobasher]

My order:

1. R-Type. The original is best.
2. R-Type II. I especially appreciate how the control is unchanged from the original, even if overall it's not as memorable.
3. R-Type Delta. Maybe a little bit long, but it's really well done.
4. R-Type III. There's a lot to like, but somehow the magic isn't there with this one.

I never played R-Type Final, and Super R-Type isn't distinctive enough to rate separately. As for R-Type Leo, I like it very much, but as Herr Schatten said, it's R-Type in name only. Speaking of which:

R-Type >>> R-Type Delta >> R-Type III > R-Type Final > R-Type II

May I ask you to elaborate on why R-Type II is last in your ranking?