The coin-op classics, R-Type and R-Type II, are together at last in R-Type Dimensions! Fight through all 14 Bydo-infested stages in original 2-D or all-new 3-D graphics, and swap back and forth on-the-fly. The classic gameplay remains untouched, and a new Infinite game mode allows continuous progression from game start to the final boss. The Bydo will not evade you this time! Game modes can be played as single player or multiplayer missions, either locally or over Xbox LIVE®. Pull yourself together, save the Earth, and strike down the evil Bydo Empire!

* Classic arcade action: R-Type Dimensions includes R-Type and R-Type II, two fully playable classic coin-op games.
* Multiple game modes: Try the Classic game mode with play that exactly mimics the original coin-op experiences, or the all-new Infinite game mode, assuring the completion of your game regardless of skill level. Either mode offers both single player and all-new co-op play (both local and over Xbox LIVE). Switch on-the-fly between 2-D and 3-D graphic modes even during play.
* Crazy camera: Play from a non-orthogonal camera view, adding a whole new perspective.
* Cooperative play: New cooperative play uses a simple yet thrilling revive system, and a ship collision feature that can be turned on for added difficulty and sparring.
* New features: The new stage unlock functionality allows you to have immediate access to your favorite stages, and the new Continue option lets you restart from the last accessed checkpoint when the game's over.

Click to expand...

R-Type Dimensions will release this Wednesday, February 4 on the Xbox Live Arcade at a price of 1200 Microsoft points. We first took a look at the game back in October at the Tokyo Game Show where the first concrete details were handed out, but since then have not heard much on the classic remake. With the impending release, IGN recently spoke with a few key members of Tozai, including Sheila Boughten, President, Scott Tsumura, Chief Advisor, and Brett Ballow, Executive Producer, about the studio's history with R-Type and what we can expect out of the download.

Click to expand...

http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/950/950114p1.html


R-Type Dimensions: History Reborn
Tozai talks with IGN about doing justice to a classic.
by Erik Brudvig

February 2, 2009 - R-Type Dimensions will release this Wednesday, February 4 on the Xbox Live Arcade at a price of 1200 Microsoft points. We first took a look at the game back in October at the Tokyo Game Show where the first concrete details were handed out, but since then have not heard much on the classic remake. With the impending release, IGN recently spoke with a few key members of Tozai, including Sheila Boughten, President, Scott Tsumura, Chief Advisor, and Brett Ballow, Executive Producer, about the studio's history with R-Type and what we can expect out of the download.

R-Type is an arcade shooter that was first released to arcades way back in 1987. It came to be known as a classic, thanks in no part to its legendary difficulty. Its follow-up, R-Type II, saw a more limited release in the US a couple of years later. Both games have been ported to numerous systems over the years, most recently to the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Arcade. R-Type Dimensions is not a simple port, however.

Shiny new graphics.
Tozai was founded in 1996 but originally only focused on IP licensing between Japan, the US, and Europe. "A couple of years ago we decided that we wanted to move into developing games, particularly for online and Microsoft services," said Boughten. Those years have not been put to waste. While most Xbox Live Arcade games have a development cycle that is much shorter and cost effective than full retail releases, Tozai has been working on R-Type Dimensions for over two years.

Such an investment makes releasing R-Type on a smaller service such as the XNA Community games impossible, but it also means R-Type Dimensions won't be a quick and dirty port -- something the Live Arcade has been plagued with. The team's history with the franchise drove them to make something that the old fans would enjoy while still having the flash to draw in new gamers

"I always loved the franchise just because it was so well designed and looked so beautiful," said Ballow after recounting his near failure to finish college because of the game. Purchasing his own arcade cabinet was the only way Ballow could avoid flunking out, he claims. Tsumura has an even more involved history with the franchise. Tsumara, who has been working in the videogame industry since 1978, followed Ballow's story by telling IGN, "Coincidentally, when I was in Japan I worked for Irem Corporation, the IP holder of R-Type, and I was involved in R-Type development and also mainly sales."

And so, after years of work, R-Type Dimensions is nearing release. The package contains both R-Type and R-Type II, both with completely reworked visuals. There is now an option for on-the-fly swapping between the original, classic 2D graphics and the all-new 3D look. Just hit a button and you can move back and forth from one look to the other without pausing the game -- a first for the Live Arcade.

Tozai has also added a co-operative mode for two players that can be played locally or online. "It doesn't really make it any easier," says Ballow. The co-op mode is good for casual or first-time gamers because it makes the experience less overwhelming. R-Type is a classically hard game and the team hasn't changed that formula -- all of the enemy patterns remain intact -- though an infinite continue mode has been added for those who simply can't beat the game on limited credits.

Tozai is also hard at work on another classic remake, Lode Runner. Development on that game is going well, we're told, with the work nearing completion. Be on the lookout for more news on that release in the near future.

Click to expand...

There are 12 achievements with a total of 200 points.

Brave Pilot 10
Complete stage 1 of R-Type in 1P Classic

Earth Savior 30
Complete R-Type

Scarred Hero 30
Complete R-Type II

Bye-bye Bydo! 15
Kill 30,000 enemies

Hidden Treasure 15
Find and destroy the 5 hidden spores on stage 4 of R-Type

Combo Master 20
Kill at least 10 enemies with a single shot

Beam Me Up! 20
Using only full beam shots and without dying, complete stage 1 of R-Type or R-Type II in 1P Classic

Dare Devil 20
Using rapid-fire and no power-ups, complete stages 1 & 2 of R-Type in a single game of 1P Classic

Power Hungry 10
Collect 500 power-ups

Wall of Fire 10
Destroy every enemy and object in stages 1 & 2 of R-Type during co-op play

Bydo Headhunter 10
Kill one enemy of every kind in R-Type and R-Type II

Reviver 10
Collectively tally 20 revivals in a single game of Classic Co-op

Click to expand...

Llyranor said:

An extra 400 pts is a measly price to pay for a classic shmup with online co-op!

Click to expand...

Leatherface said:

Does anyone know if this will get a release on the ps3?

Click to expand...

Shard said:

Yes, I know, it isn't going to hit the PS3 PSN, XBLA Exclusive.

Click to expand...

Narpas Sword0 said:

psn already has R-Types though for $9 less

i've been holding out for this game but now im not sure, will depend on the co op situation

Click to expand...

R-Type Dimensions: History Reborn
Tozai talks with IGN about doing justice to a classic.
by Erik Brudvig

February 2, 2009 - R-Type Dimensions will release this Wednesday, February 4 on the Xbox Live Arcade at a price of 1200 Microsoft points. We first took a look at the game back in October at the Tokyo Game Show where the first concrete details were handed out, but since then have not heard much on the classic remake. With the impending release, IGN recently spoke with a few key members of Tozai, including Sheila Boughten, President, Scott Tsumura, Chief Advisor, and Brett Ballow, Executive Producer, about the studio's history with R-Type and what we can expect out of the download.

R-Type is an arcade shooter that was first released to arcades way back in 1987. It came to be known as a classic, thanks in no part to its legendary difficulty. Its follow-up, R-Type II, saw a more limited release in the US a couple of years later. Both games have been ported to numerous systems over the years, most recently to the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Arcade. R-Type Dimensions is not a simple port, however.

Shiny new graphics.
Tozai was founded in 1996 but originally only focused on IP licensing between Japan, the US, and Europe. "A couple of years ago we decided that we wanted to move into developing games, particularly for online and Microsoft services," said Boughten. Those years have not been put to waste. While most Xbox Live Arcade games have a development cycle that is much shorter and cost effective than full retail releases, Tozai has been working on R-Type Dimensions for over two years.

Such an investment makes releasing R-Type on a smaller service such as the XNA Community games impossible, but it also means R-Type Dimensions won't be a quick and dirty port -- something the Live Arcade has been plagued with. The team's history with the franchise drove them to make something that the old fans would enjoy while still having the flash to draw in new gamers

"I always loved the franchise just because it was so well designed and looked so beautiful," said Ballow after recounting his near failure to finish college because of the game. Purchasing his own arcade cabinet was the only way Ballow could avoid flunking out, he claims. Tsumura has an even more involved history with the franchise. Tsumara, who has been working in the videogame industry since 1978, followed Ballow's story by telling IGN, "Coincidentally, when I was in Japan I worked for Irem Corporation, the IP holder of R-Type, and I was involved in R-Type development and also mainly sales."

And so, after years of work, R-Type Dimensions is nearing release. The package contains both R-Type and R-Type II, both with completely reworked visuals. There is now an option for on-the-fly swapping between the original, classic 2D graphics and the all-new 3D look. Just hit a button and you can move back and forth from one look to the other without pausing the game -- a first for the Live Arcade.

Tozai has also added a co-operative mode for two players that can be played locally or online. "It doesn't really make it any easier," says Ballow. The co-op mode is good for casual or first-time gamers because it makes the experience less overwhelming. R-Type is a classically hard game and the team hasn't changed that formula -- all of the enemy patterns remain intact -- though an infinite continue mode has been added for those who simply can't beat the game on limited credits.

Tozai is also hard at work on another classic remake, Lode Runner. Development on that game is going well, we're told, with the work nearing completion. Be on the lookout for more news on that release in the near future.

Click to expand...

Shard said:

Virtual Console has R-Type 1 and R-Tyoe 3 and there was R0Tpe DX for the GBC, but this is more then a mere port.

Click to expand...

Shard said:

True enough but there isn't much to be done about the price.

Click to expand...

Wario64 said:

If that's how you see it, I'd rather wait and see before blindly entering into another Castle Crashers situation.

Click to expand...

Angelus said:

I love oldschool games but the shooter that this is looks sorta bleh,graphically its not really impressive either. But 15 bucks? Will most likely pass.

Click to expand...

Shig said:

ITT: People who would have probably bought a remake of 1 game at 800 points balk at a remake of 2 for 1200

Click to expand...

Phoenix Fang said:

I came in to post this.

It's funny that if both games were released separately they wouldn't hesitate to buy them at 800 points a piece because to them it seems cheaper. But because its 1200 points they dont see the fact that they are getting 2 different games remade with a choice to use old school graphics and upgraded graphics.

Also ITT Gamers will never be satisfied.

Click to expand...

Tozai has been working on R-Type Dimensions for over two years.

Click to expand...

Phoenix Fang said:

It's funny that if both games were released separately they wouldn't hesitate to buy them at 800 points a piece because to them it seems cheaper.

Click to expand...

dhelfric said:

Gah, I hate that Flash game look.

Click to expand...

Mar_ said:

I'm on this game day 1. Ever since I had my first experience with live arcade I'd wished for R-Type. Now all they need is Bubble Bobble and my fantasies have become reality.

Click to expand...

dhelfric said:

Gah, I hate that Flash game look.

Click to expand...

Flakster99 said:

Quite the expensive proposition there... however I'm there. I can deal with the premium price, as I like what I see immensely.



http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351028

Click to expand...