One or two questions for R-Type players

[KindGrind]

I'm a sucker for high-memorization horis, and I'm almost ashamed to admit that I have never played R-Type seriously. I have spent credits here and there over the years, but I figured it was high time for me to actually get down to it.

I'm looking to pick up the version that plays best so that I can start learning on it. PCE? SMS? I'd like to play on a console and avoid emulation, if at all possible. Also, is the 1CC somewhat attainable by a mere mortal?

[Pretas]

There is no console version of R-Type 1 and 2 that is preferable to arcade emulation. R-Types (PS1) and Dimensions (360/PS3) both have prominent flaws, the latter especially so. If you have to choose one, the former is much better.

R-Type 1 is a fairly easy 1CC, the sequel is rougher.

[ACSeraph]

Just out of curiosity what are the flaws in Types and Dimensions exactly?

[To Far Away Times]

Just out of curiosity what are the flaws in Types and Dimensions exactly?

R-Types has to scroll the screen on the top and bottom. Dimensions is a re-creation, some things are not 100% arcade accurate.

[niall]

The PC Engine port is pretty accurate, but there's nothing like emulating it with GroovyMAME (if the original arcade board is not an option)

[Ghegs]

Any flaws in PS1 R-Types collection are minor and easily outweighed by the ease of acquiring it and the convenience of having both the games on a single disc.

R-Types has to scroll the screen on the top and bottom.

This is only half true. The game has two screen modes, one where the score, remaining lives, charge shot level, etc. are on their own horizontal black bar, like in the arcade original. This is when the game area has to scroll up and down, because the arcade game's vertical resolution is a bit larger than the resolution mode used in the port. But the other screen mode makes the aforementioned bar transparent and it's placed on the game area, you can even set it to either top or bottom and tweak its location by the pixel. This way the game doesn't scroll vertically and I've never found the information to be in the way.

The PS1 ports of the two games are technically just a teensy bit harder than the originals, because the arcade board runs at 55hz (or something like that) while the PS1 game runs at 60hz. So it's just a hair faster.

Dimensions isn't a terrible port either, the biggest issue is that you can't re-map controls at all. Well, that applies to the first game, the sequel in Dimensions is noticeably easier than the arcade/PS1 versions. It has enemies missing and things like that, I think the devs used an easier version of the rom (or just easier difficulty) as model when recreating the game.

[pegboy]

I find the PS1 ports of most of the early arcade SHMUPs to be the best. Gradius, Raiden, R-Type are all pretty awesome and very close/accurate to the arcade versions.

[Captain]

I highly recommend getting R-types. With the aforementioned transparent bar, it is as good as the original.

If still in dilemma, you can check videos of both versions, or even emulate them to scope for differences, before buying one.

[BIL]

R-Types has to scroll the screen on the top and bottom.

Misinformations! Oh, Ghegs caught it. STAND DOWN MEN.

[Jeneki]

Since the PCEngine version was brought up, here's some information:

The Japanese HuCard is split onto two games, part I and part II. Each has half the game. So when you see a PCE HuCard with "R-Type II" on the cover, that's not actually R-Type II, but the second half of the first game.

For the North America release, R-Type is on one HuCard. I'm not sure about other regions.

There's also a CD game called R-Type Complete. That's the full game, with some extra (extremely cheesy) plot cutscenes and remixed music. I didn't notice any gameplay differences between the CD and HuCard versions though.

[Kollision]

EDIT

Just for the record, the PC Engine CD version does not loop.
HuCard does.

Tks, Jan.

[Captain]

Wasn't there a version of R-type that had an extra hidden boss?

[BIL]

Compile's SMS version has a hidden original stage with its own boss. And shaweeet Compile BGM.

Video nicked from Kollision's awesome handy blog. ^_~

[Captain]

I recall that there was another version that only had the boss hidden, without an entire (awesome!) extra stage.

Edit: Those remixes are great, thanks Bil!

[rjosal]

I don't know which console ports are which arcade version, but the Japanese arcade version of R-Type II is a fair bit more difficult than world. A lot more enemies coming from the left.

[Herr Schatten]

I recall that there was another version that only had the boss hidden, without an entire (awesome!) extra stage.

I think the PCE-CD version has an additional boss thrown in, but I might misremembering it.

[Ghegs]

I recall that there was another version that only had the boss hidden, without an entire (awesome!) extra stage.

I think the PCE-CD version has an additional boss thrown in, but I might misremembering it.

Oh wow, you're right. I went to look through a longplay of that version and found it, it comes after the normal Stage 6 boss. Very cool, I did know of the SMS exclusive stage but not this thing.

[BIL]

I don't know which console ports are which arcade version, but the Japanese arcade version of R-Type II is a fair bit more difficult than world. A lot more enemies coming from the left.

R-Types NTSCJ uses the Japanese ROMsets for sure.

[KindGrind]

Thanks for all the responses so far. I knew about the extra level in the SMS version, but the intense flickering made me wonder about its playability.

Had completely forgotten about the PSX version, so I may be looking for that one.

[antron]

I've wondered if it is at all possible to slow down a PS1's speed. If you could an arcade monitor could still display it via RGB. This would fix Raiden DX as well.

Anyone have a clue?

found this:
http://djky2k3.tripod.com/psx_oc.html

I'll ask Rob.

[Herr Schatten]

I recall that there was another version that only had the boss hidden, without an entire (awesome!) extra stage.

I think the PCE-CD version has an additional boss thrown in, but I might misremembering it.

Oh wow, you're right. I went to look through a longplay of that version and found it, it comes after the normal Stage 6 boss. Very cool, I did know of the SMS exclusive stage but not this thing.

Gee, I wonder where the inspiration for this Z-Out boss came from.

[professor ganson]

I once owned a R-Type PCB. I honestly like PS1's R-Types better! It's outstanding. Get it!