In the shoot-'em-up genre, a handful of names stand out among the rest. You would be hard-pressed to find a fan of these games who has never heard of titles like Gradius, Raiden, or Ikaruga. However, among these iconic series, one continues to distinguish itself as a major influence on the genre: R-Type.
Originally released in 1987 for arcades, R-Type featured a unique "Force" system—essentially a mini-ship that followed your main craft. It could attach to your ship or be deployed to act independently, and mastering both modes was the key to survival. While the first game was a success, the series doubled down on this mechanic in its sequels by introducing new Forces while increasing the difficulty and refining the core gameplay.
It was R-Type III: The Third Lightning that truly struck a chord with gamers worldwide, eventually gaining a reputation as one of the greatest Super Nintendo games of all time. To this day, the title remains a fan favorite, and now—32 years after its initial North American release—it has returned in a remade form as R-Type Dimensions III.
The question is: does it still live up to that reputation?
Same Game, New Coat of Paint
To be completely honest, R-Type Dimensions III is still 100% R-Type III. This means players of the original will know exactly what they are getting into; if you loved it then, you will still love it now. However, if you are like me and haven't played it in at least two decades, get ready to be slaughtered along with all the newbies.
Before beginning the game, players are greeted with a few options. There is a Classic Mode which replicates the original experience, an Infinite Mode which provides unlimited respawning ships, and two difficulty options. The default Normal Mode is where players are expected to begin, with a much harder Advanced Mode typically picking up after the final boss. However, R-Type Dimensions III has this Advanced Mode unlocked from the start, allowing players to challenge themselves immediately. Generally, it is advised not to do this, but the option allows returning players to skip Normal Mode if they wish.
Beyond the difficulty settings, the game offers two graphical settings and two camera angles. The original game is here in its entirety and can be selected right away, but a new HD graphics option is available as well. This version features full 3D models for the player's ship, enemies, stage obstacles, and backgrounds. Additionally, nearly every enemy comes complete with new animations to help bring them to life. These changes have no impact on the game's balance; attack patterns and hitboxes remain exactly the same despite the flashier visuals.
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| (Original Style) |
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| (Remastered Style) |
Along with these new graphics, a "Crazy Camera" can be selected, which tilts the perspective slightly to view the game at an angle. This view looks nice and complements the 3D visuals, but it also makes enemy "pop-in" more apparent and reveals the "edge" where your shots disappear. This perspective can make dodging bullets more challenging, though players can adjust with practice. That said, the original visuals are often easier to work with, as there are fewer distractions to keep you from noticing oncoming dangers. All of these visual options can be toggled during gameplay, so you can freely check out the differences without restarting a stage.
For those who would like to revisit specific levels, the game includes a stage select that unlocks as you clear each area.
The General Gameplay:
As a shoot 'em up, R-Type Dimensions III follows a standard gameplay loop but includes some twists thanks to the selectable Forces.
Before beginning a run, players can choose between three unique Forces that provide different attacks and abilities. As mentioned previously, the Force can be detached to act independently or attached to your ship to provide additional offense or defense. Beyond this mechanic, the game plays similarly to its peers: your ship faces right as the screen scrolls toward you. Along the way, enemies must be shot down, obstacles must be avoided, and formidable boss battles await at the end of each section. To accomplish these tasks, players have access to a standard rapid-fire gun as well as a charge attack for dealing additional damage. Power-ups can also be collected throughout each stage to add a variety of powerful attacks, though getting hit results in losing them.
Outside of the Force system, the core gameplay is straightforward, and the controls are extremely responsive—a vital trait for this genre. However, it is the stage design itself that truly stands out, making R-Type Dimensions III a memorable experience.
Practice Makes Perfect
The thing about R-Type Dimensions III is that it is extremely difficult. At no point does the game hold back, and it constantly throws curveballs every chance it gets. While the initial stage is deceptively simple, it does not take long for bullets to start flying, space debris to come crashing in, and entire structures to pop up, causing you to crash into their walls without a second to react. This is where memorization becomes key; but just as you think you have the stage layout down, everything starts spinning—literally.
With mounted guns that shoot fire and lasers, objects that will attempt to crush you if your positioning is not pixel-perfect, and an onslaught of bullets that seemingly never stop, Dimensions III is constantly on a mission to kill you. Death in Classic Mode means restarting the current section, and too many deaths results in complete failure. Infinite Mode lets you keep coming back—though you are often spawned directly into objects that will kill you again—but it also serves as a harsh reminder that you would have failed if you were playing the classic version. This truly is a punishing game, and it never gets easier.
Even after finishing the initial stages and getting a general feel for the mechanics, each additional level is designed to shred your lives in unique and sometimes cruel ways. One stage features a maze section with lava flows where you not only need to memorize the paths while dodging bullets, but you also have to learn them in reverse as the stage eventually forces you to backtrack. It is little tricks like these that will almost certainly result in death, causing you to restart and try again—unless you are on Infinite Mode, that is.
Thanks to the nature of R-Type Dimensions III, the game offers plenty of replayability. Once you master a stage, the feeling is exhilarating—something fans of the genre will already be all too familiar with.
Should you play it?
R-Type Dimensions III is a standout remaster of an SNES classic. Its challenging gameplay demands total dedication, and the unique stage design remains just as memorable today as it was decades ago. While the graphical overhaul is visually pleasing, the inclusion of the original style as an option is a welcome touch for purists. Thankfully, the new Infinite Mode allows players of all skill levels to see the end, but even then, expect the journey to be filled with constant death.VERDICT: Recommended
Reviewed on PlayStation 5
Review Copy was Provided
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