Super R*Type [Model SHVC-SR]

35 Years old Nintendo Super Famicom cart. Nintendo Co., Ltd. [Japan]

Super R*Type © 1991 Nintendo.

Super R-Type serves as the console's introduction to Irem's seminal side-scrolling shooter franchise. Rather than a direct arcade conversion, this title acts as a "remix" of the R-Type II arcade experience, utilizing its assets to create a unique seven-stage campaign. Players pilot the R-9 Ragnarok, utilizing the iconic Force pod—a modular, indestructible device that can be attached to the ship's front or back for offensive or defensive utility, or detached to act independently. The game retains the signature charge-shot mechanic, allowing players to unleash devastating energy blasts to clear the screen of Bydo forces.

8,500 JPY

Goodies for Super R*Type [Model SHVC-SR]

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TECHNICAL

GAME ID: SHVC-SR

Technical Specifications: The game is an 8-megabit cartridge. It lacks a high-score save feature.

TRIVIA

Super R*Type was released on July 13, 1991 in Japan at a retail price of 8,500 JPY.

Arcade vs. Console: While marketed as a full sequel, Super R-Type is technically a reimagining of R-Type II. It draws heavily from the arcade source code but was specifically tuned for the Super Famicom’s architecture, resulting in stages and pacing that differ from the arcade original.

Technical Performance: The game is infamous among retro enthusiasts for its significant slowdown and sprite flickering. This was a common result of attempting to push high-speed, multi-sprite arcade action onto early 16-bit hardware, which struggled to keep up with the intense screen-filling projectiles that characterize the R-Type series.

The Force Mechanic: This title cemented the strategic depth of the Force pod for the 16-bit generation. Experienced players often view the pod not just as a weapon upgrade, but as a critical positioning tool required to navigate the game's famously difficult, trap-laden stage designs.

Irem's Legacy: Super R-Type was a crucial "early window" title for the Super Famicom. It showcased the console's ability to handle advanced layering and large, detailed boss sprites, even if the frame rate suffered under the pressure of the action.

Reviews:
[FR] September 1991 - Consoles + N.1: 68/100
[FR] October 1991 - Joypad N.1: 87/100

TIPS AND TRICKS

Stage Select:
On the title screen, press Start once to display the level difficulty screen (right before starting the game). There, press and hold the Right Shoulder button and press Up nine times. If done right, you will hear the power-up chime. Start the game and pause at any time by pressing Start. During the pause, hold Right Shoulder, A and then press Select. A counter should appear in the lower-left corner of the screen (picture on the top-right). Press Up and Down to select a stage. This cheat comes with an interesting twist. Super R-Type features seven stages - however, seventeen stages can be selected with this cheat! Well, stages listed as 11 to 17 are one difficulty level up. So if you start the game as "Easy", levels 11 to 17 will be "Normal" difficulty. But, most interestingly, if you start the game as "hard", 11 to 17 will give you access to a hidden PRO difficulty level! Curiously, this mode also unlocks a hidden end-screen (picture on the bottom/right) not seen in the original game, as long as you can beat Super R-Type in this (insane) difficulty level. Interestingly, the only way to access the true ending of the game is to play the Hard and the PRO modes - but the Stage Select cheat doesn't allow you to do it... this is what this hidden screen says - "You must clear all stages!"

Weapon Select:
This cheat is a little tricky to activate. On the title screen, press Start once to display the level difficulty screen (right before starting the game). There press Down, Right Shoulder, Right, Down, Right, Right, Down, Right, Down and Down. If done right, you will hear the power-up chime. Start the game and pause at any time by pressing Start. During the pause, press Right Shoulder, Right, Down, Y, Down, Right, Down, Left, Right, Down, Right and Right. But you're not done yet! You need to press one of these buttons to select the Weapon Type: A for red, X for blue, B for yellow, Y for green and Right Shoulder for grey. Then press A for homing missiles or X for ground missiles.

True Ending:
Super R-Type features a true ending - it is however really difficulty to see. You have to complete the game on Hard and then on PRO difficulty! You also can't use the Stage Select cheat and ultimately have to beat the whole game, technically twice, on these difficulty modes! This is virtually impossible to do because of the game's insane difficulty level... I am not ashamed to say that emulation and save-states seem to be the only way to achieve this treat. It is a real shame because this real ending features a rather good (and apparently exclusive) animated end-sequence (pictures on the right) and the game's staff-roll.

STAFF

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Game Design: Fuzzie
Character Design: Nabe, Nioudachi
Background Design: Okayo, Kazakami Shung
Game Program: Ryouichirou, Finalu
Sound Program: Moto, Keisuke
Editing: Ran
Music Composer: Charlie Y.K, Hiya, Hiroshi

SOURCES

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See Goodies section.
ROM dump (MAME).