R-Type

n/a

R-Type

System(s): Sega Master System, Virtual Console

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Irem,

Compile

Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

Number of players: 1

Release	Date	RRP	Code
JP	1988-10-01	¥5,8005,800	G-1364
US	1988-12		9002
EU	1988		MK-9002-50
BR	19xx
KR	19xx		GB-4364
JP ▼	2009-05-19 - 2011-10-18	500pts500
US ▼	2009-11-02 - 2011-09-30	500pts500
EU ▼	2009-09-25	500pts500

ESRB

PEGI

OFLC

CERO
Missing Parameter!

R-Type is a critically acclaimed shoot-'em-up developed by Irem. Following its initial arcade release in 1987, the game was ported to a variety of home computers and consoles, including the Sega Master System in 1988; this version was ported without credit by Compile.

History

Legacy

The Master System version of R-Type was brought to the Wii's Virtual Console service in 2009. It is seen as an odd move, as a superior port to the TurboGrafx-16 had been available since 2006. This did not last long; it was removed from Virtual Console on 30 September 2011 in the US^[2] and 18 October 2011 in Japan^[3] presumably because Irem had been losing a lot of money at the time^[4].

Versions

At the time of release, the Master System version of R-Type was one of the most accurate (and complete) home ports of the game and the easiest to get ahold of. It is technically superseded by the PC Engine version released earlier in the year in Japan, however in this instance, the game was split into two parts due to the cost needed to manufacture higher capacity HuCards, and would not come together as one product until 1989.

Sprites in the Master System version are smaller than their arcade counterparts (and are smaller too relative to the scenery), and when too many on-screen can lead to flickering and slowdown which is less apparent in its original form. Nevertheless virtually all the enemy patterns are retained, although the numbers are decreased in high volume areas for performance reasons. The level layouts are sometimes artifically lengthened or shortened to try and manage this workload further while balancing the differing sizes of the graphics.

Incidentally the PC Engine version's approach to the smaller screen resolution is to introduce vertical scrolling, ensuring part of the playfield is obscured at all times.

Bosses are fought against a solid colour background (echoed in other Master System shoot-'em-ups such as Fantasy Zone). Some graphical effects have also been removed; for example, when player shots hit scenery there is no longer an explosion or flash as is seen in the arcade original.

Hints

US hints

Magazine articles

Main article: R-Type/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

JP TV advert

Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #90: "April 1989" (1989-03-16)
also published in:

Computer & Video Games (UK) #91: "May 1989" (1989-04-11)^[5]
ACE (UK) #20: "May 1989" (1989-04-06)^[6]
Computer & Video Games (UK) #92: "June 1989" (1989-05-16)^[7]
ACE (UK) #21: "June 1989" (1989-05-04)^[8]

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

ACE (UK)

81

^[1]

ACE (UK)

PAL

92

^[9]

Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)

84

^[22]

Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)

84

^[11]

The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)

PAL

91

^[12]

Computer Action (DK)

75

^[23]

Console XS (UK)

PAL

94

^[24]

Computer & Video Games (UK)

87

^[13]

Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)

92

^[25]

Games Preview (DK)

85

^[14]

Hobby Consolas (ES)

85

^[26]

Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)

70

^[27]

Mean Machines (UK)

92

^[16]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

91

^[17]

New Computer Express (UK)

75

^[28]

S: The Sega Magazine (UK)

PAL

91

^[29]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

90

^[30]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

100

^[31]

Sega Pro (UK)

96

^[19]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

92

^[20]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

94

^[32]

Soft Today (DK)

100

^[33]

Software Gids (NL)

80

^[34]

User (GR)

PAL

93

^[35]

Zzap! (IT)

94

^[21]

	88
Based on 25 reviews

R-Type

Master System, US
Cover
Cart Manual Poster

Master System, EU
Cover

Master System, EU ® variant
Cover

Master System, JP
Cover
Cart

Master System, AU
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, BR
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, KR

Master System, SE

Master System, SE (Rental)

External links

NEC Retro has more information related to R-Type

Sega of Japan Virtual Console page (Japanese)

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 File:ACE UK 19.pdf, page 60 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 19.pdf_p60" defined multiple times with different content
↑ http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/r-type-being-removed-from-virtual-console-on-sept-30/
↑ http://vc.sega.jp/vc_ms_rtype/
↑ http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/36029/Troubled_Irem_Pulling_Titles_Home_Lounges_From_Japanese_PSN.php
↑ Computer & Video Games, "May 1989" (UK; 1989-04-11), page 84
↑ ACE, "May 1989" (UK; 1989-04-06), page 68
↑ Computer & Video Games, "June 1989" (UK; 1989-05-16), page 89
↑ ACE, "June 1989" (UK; 1989-05-04), page 76
↑ ^9.0 ^9.1 File:ACE UK 26.pdf, page 144 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 26.pdf_p144" defined multiple times with different content
↑ File:CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf, page 69
↑ ^11.0 ^11.1 File:CGtC UK 04.pdf, page 105 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CGtC UK 04.pdf_p105" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^12.0 ^12.1 File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf, page 60 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf_p60" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^13.0 ^13.1 File:CVG UK 089.pdf, page 95 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 089.pdf_p95" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^14.0 ^14.1 File:GamesPreview DK 07.pdf, page 41 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamesPreview DK 07.pdf_p41" defined multiple times with different content
↑ File:HobbyConsolas ES 001.pdf, page 73
↑ ^16.0 ^16.1 File:MeanMachines UK 07.pdf, page 88 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 07.pdf_p88" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^17.0 ^17.1 File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 135 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p135" defined multiple times with different content
↑ File:SegaPower UK 46.pdf, page 101
↑ ^19.0 ^19.1 File:SegaPro UK 05.pdf, page 63 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 05.pdf_p63" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^20.0 ^20.1 File:SegaPro UK 09.pdf, page 31 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 09.pdf_p31" defined multiple times with different content
↑ ^21.0 ^21.1 File:Zzap IT 59.pdf, page 69 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zzap IT 59.pdf_p69" defined multiple times with different content
↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 69
↑ Computer Action, "Juli/August 89" (DK; 1989-0x-xx), page 34
↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 144
↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 151
↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1991" (ES; 1991-xx-xx), page 81
↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Febrero 1990" (ES; 1990-0x-xx), page 34
↑ New Computer Express, "March 11, 1989" (UK; 1989-03-09), page 47
↑ S: The Sega Magazine, "March 1990" (UK; 1990-02-01), page 31
↑ Sega Power, "February 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 49
↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 59
↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
↑ Soft Today, "April 1989" (DK; 1989-03-23), page 14
↑ Software Gids, "Mei/Juni 1990" (NL; 1990-05-xx), page 35
↑ User, "Dekémvrios 1992" (GR; 1992-1x-xx), page 52

[:File:ACE_UK_19.pdf_p60-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 File:ACE UK 19.pdf, page 60 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 19.pdf_p60" defined multiple times with different content

[http:.2F.2Fwww.joystiq.com.2F2011.2F09.2F28.2Fr-type-being-removed-from-virtual-console-on-sept-30.2F-2] ttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/r-type-being-removed-from-virtual-console-on-sept-30/

[http:.2F.2Fvc.sega.jp.2Fvc_ms_rtype.2F-3] ttp://vc.sega.jp/vc_ms_rtype/

[http:.2F.2Fwww.gamasutra.com.2Fview.2Fnews.2F36029.2FTroubled_Irem_Pulling_Titles_Home_Lounges_From_Japanese_PSN.php-4] ttp://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/36029/Troubled_Irem_Pulling_Titles_Home_Lounges_From_Japanese_PSN.php

[:File:CVG_UK_091.pdf_p84-5] Computer & Video Games, "May 1989" (UK; 1989-04-11), page 84

[:File:ACE_UK_20.pdf_p68-6] ACE, "May 1989" (UK; 1989-04-06), page 68

[:File:CVG_UK_092.pdf_p89-7] Computer & Video Games, "June 1989" (UK; 1989-05-16), page 89

[:File:ACE_UK_21.pdf_p76-8] ACE, "June 1989" (UK; 1989-05-04), page 76

[:File:ACE_UK_26.pdf_p144-9] 9.0 ^9.1 File:ACE UK 26.pdf, page 144 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ACE UK 26.pdf_p144" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf_p69-10] File:CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf, page 69

[:File:CGtC_UK_04.pdf_p105-11] 11.0 ^11.1 File:CGtC UK 04.pdf, page 105 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CGtC UK 04.pdf_p105" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:TheCompleteGuideToSega_UK.pdf_p60-12] 12.0 ^12.1 File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf, page 60 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:TheCompleteGuideToSega UK.pdf_p60" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:CVG_UK_089.pdf_p95-13] 13.0 ^13.1 File:CVG UK 089.pdf, page 95 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 089.pdf_p95" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:GamesPreview_DK_07.pdf_p41-14] 14.0 ^14.1 File:GamesPreview DK 07.pdf, page 41 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamesPreview DK 07.pdf_p41" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_001.pdf_p73-15] File:HobbyConsolas ES 001.pdf, page 73

[:File:MeanMachines_UK_07.pdf_p88-16] 16.0 ^16.1 File:MeanMachines UK 07.pdf, page 88 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 07.pdf_p88" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p135-17] 17.0 ^17.1 File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 135 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p135" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:SegaPower_UK_46.pdf_p101-18] File:SegaPower UK 46.pdf, page 101

[:File:SegaPro_UK_05.pdf_p63-19] 19.0 ^19.1 File:SegaPro UK 05.pdf, page 63 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 05.pdf_p63" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:SegaPro_UK_09.pdf_p31-20] 20.0 ^20.1 File:SegaPro UK 09.pdf, page 31 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 09.pdf_p31" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:Zzap_IT_59.pdf_p69-21] 21.0 ^21.1 File:Zzap IT 59.pdf, page 69 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Zzap IT 59.pdf_p69" defined multiple times with different content

[:File:CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf_p69-22] Complete Guide to Consoles, "" (UK; 1989-10-16), page 69

[:File:ComputerAction_DK_01.pdf_p34-23] Computer Action, "Juli/August 89" (DK; 1989-0x-xx), page 34

[:File:Console_XS_UK_01.pdf_p144-24] Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 144

[:File:MeanMachinesEssentialSegaGuide_Book_UK.pdf_p151-25] Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 151

[:File:HobbyConsolas_ES_001.pdf_p81-26] Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1991" (ES; 1991-xx-xx), page 81

[:File:Micromania2_ES_021.pdf_p34-27] Micromanía (segunda época), "Febrero 1990" (ES; 1990-0x-xx), page 34

[:File:NewComputerExpress_UK_018.pdf_p47-28] New Computer Express, "March 11, 1989" (UK; 1989-03-09), page 47

[:File:StheSegaMagazine_UK_04.pdf_p31-29] S: The Sega Magazine, "March 1990" (UK; 1990-02-01), page 31

[:File:SegaPower_UK_15.pdf_p49-30] Sega Power, "February 1991" (UK; 1991-01-03), page 49

[:File:SegaPower_UK_23.pdf_p59-31] Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 59

[:File:SegaPro_UK_18.pdf_p72-32] Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72

[:File:SoftToday_DK_04.pdf_p14-33] Soft Today, "April 1989" (DK; 1989-03-23), page 14

[:File:SoftwareGids_NL_01.pdf_p35-34] Software Gids, "Mei/Juni 1990" (NL; 1990-05-xx), page 35

[:File:User_GR_31.pdf_p52-35] User, "Dekémvrios 1992" (GR; 1992-1x-xx), page 52

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R-Type

From Sega Retro

Contents

History

Legacy

Versions

Hints

Magazine articles

Promotional material

Physical scans

External links

References