R-Type - Versions Comparison (HD 60 FPS)

Comparison video of R-Type / アール・タイプ (Irem 1987) that features gameplay of the first level of the following versions:

0:00 Arcade (1987)
2:47 Atari ST (1988)
5:43 NEC PC-88VA (1988)
9:17 Sega Master System / SMS (1988)
12:08 Commodore 64 | C64 (1988)
14:59 MSX (1988)
18:34 MSX (FM Sound) (1988)
22:09 ZX Spectrum (1988)
26:29 Amstrad CPC (1988)
32:26 Amiga (1989)
35:30 Sharp X68000 (1989)
38:12 TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine (1989)
40:41 TurboGrafx-CD / PC Engine CD / TurboDuo (R-Type Complete CD) (1991)
50:05 Game Boy / GB (1991)
52:55 PlayStation (R-Types) (1998)
58:31 Game Boy Color / GBC (R-Type DX) (1999)
1:01:22 J2ME (2007)
1:04:13 Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 | PS3 (R-Type Dimensions) (2009)
1:06:53 Android / iOS (2010)
1:09:29 PlayStation 4 | PS4 / Steam / Nintendo Switch (R-Type Dimensions EX) (2018)
1:12:09 BONUS: Amstrad CPC (R-Type Reloaded) (2012)
1:16:13 BONUS: Atari ST (R-Type Deluxe) (2015)

Today we are pleased to cover another highly requested comparison from our users: the classic horizontal scrolling shoot'em up R-Type, developed and realeased by Irem in 1987.

We have added and additional MSX gameplay with FM sound. This configuration could be achieved thanks to a FM sound synthetizer cartridge inserted in the machine along with the R-Type game. At the end of the video you will find two popular unofficial remakes of the game.

Which one did you play? Which one do you think is the best Arcade port?

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[peterhurn]

I worked with Bob Pape who created the ZX Spectrum version of R-Type, great guy, very clever, we used to discuss all sorts of memory saving techniques back when you had such limited memory.

[loutre_retro]

The Master System version is superbly realized when you know the power of the console.
There are some sprite flashes but this is due to the limit of the console's memory.

And special mention for R-Type Dimension EX, the remake is damn good and being able to switch from 3D to 2D on the fly is a very good idea.

[pedazodeboludo]

Ah, the CD versions... 400kb for the game and 400Mb for the intro

[totoonthemoon]

Thank you very much for adding as bonus our R-TYPE (2012) CPC version.

[eybejdx]

PCエンジンは流石としか言えませんね。
アーケードと遜色のない出来です。
家庭用ゲーム機でこのクオリティは革命的でした。

[Games-bwee]

32:26 - Shout out to the Amiga title music by the legendary composer 'Chris Huelsbeck', one of the best video game musicians ever.

[BenLiuChungHin]

I wish the modern Amstrad CPC version was the original that got released. definitely shows how good the hardware was back then if you pushed it enough.

[alexazn]

Thanks for the comparison!
Used to play the PC-Engine versions back in the early '90s. That brings back some memories for sure. And I realized the PC-Engine version is the closest to the Arcade, just have this little vertical scrolling due to the lower resolution in height.

[Gigabyte]

The C64 soundtrack is just friggen awesome!!!

[MarkWray]

I love how the Spectrum version scrolls more smoothly than the ST version.

[abooogeek]

Nice to see the R-Type remakes on the CPC and ST being put in the video. Very impressive work that bring back justice to a honestly poor ports back in the days.

[mrpolite]

13:19 lovely background change effect. With such a small amount of memory they seem to have sacrificed the rotation of the enemy at 13:31, but it's nice to have the background change, something that even some of the 16 bit versions lack.

[thiagoones]

ZX Spectrum will always be my favorite monster. No matter what. 🤣🤣🤣

[dorianwright]

R. Type is the game that changed the face of audio on the shooter platform and in the video game universe.

[Halbared]

Just rewatched it, the speccy version still impresses (as does the gameboy version) and the PC-Engine CD version is amazing.

[thrillhouse_vanhouten]

I just tried R-Type for the first time EVER the other day, so this is a well-timed video for exploring its history!

[daishi]

The Bonus Atari ST R-Type Deluxe 2015 is not for the ST, but the STE which was the upgraded later released (late 1989) system. From what I can find the game was never actually finished which is a pity. It definitely needed a bit more polish, as when the action is supposed to be getting frantic is when it goes slo-mo.
The Amstrad CPC R-Type Reloaded look really good compared to the original.

[phobosk]

I thoroughly enjoyed the Sega Master System version as a kid, (minus the FM music). Wonderful port of a great game!

[barryhercules]

Great work retrosutra - thanks for the upload - brilliant job putting them all together. One of the best shmups ever created - didn't realise it came on so many formats. Never heard of the J2ME before, or the CPC and Atari ST remake. I thought I knew a lot about the game. 😅

[PlasticCogLiquid]

The C64 version has music and sound fx, that was rare for these games.