Released near the launch of the Super Nintendo by Irem, Super R-Type (1991) brings the brutal side-scrolling shoot ’em up action of the arcade series to the 16-bit console. Based heavily on R-Type II, it features a mix of familiar arcade levels and exclusive new stages. The game is infamous among fans for its punishing difficulty, primarily because it offers absolutely no mid-level checkpointsโlose a single life, and your ship is sent back to the very beginning of the stage without any power-ups.
How to Play
You pilot the R-9C spacecraft through alien environments, battling the grotesque Bydo Empire. Your main tactical asset is the Force Pod, an invincible satellite that can be attached to the front or rear of your ship to absorb enemy fire and unleash powerful weapons. You can also hold the fire button to charge up a devastating Wave Cannon blast. In the browser, use the arrow keys to move, Z to shoot (hold to charge), X to detach or recall the Force Pod, and Enter to start.
Tips
- Use the Force Pod defensively: Do not just use the Force Pod for firepower; it blocks most standard enemy bullets. Move it to the back of your ship when enemies ambush you from behind.
- Anticipate the slowdown: The hardware often struggles when many sprites are on screen, causing the action to run in slow motion. Use these unintentional moments of slowdown to carefully thread your ship through dense bullet patterns.
- Memorise the stages: Because a death sends you all the way back, learning exactly where enemies spawn so you can pre-charge your Wave Cannon is essential for survival.
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