Game:

R-Type III: The Third Lightning (1993)

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R-Type III: The Third Lightning is a classic side-scrolling shoot ‘em up game originally released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993. It was later ported to the Game Boy Advance (GBA) in 2004.

Gameplay:

The gameplay in R-Type III follows the traditional formula of the series, where the player pilots a spacecraft known as the “R-9” or its variants and battles through waves of enemies and massive bosses.
The game is known for its challenging difficulty, requiring precise movement and quick reflexes to dodge enemy fire and navigate through tight spaces.
A signature feature of the R-Type series is the “Force” pod, an indestructible companion that can be attached to the front or back of the player’s ship or sent out to attack enemies independently.
The game features multiple levels with unique themes, each filled with a variety of enemies and obstacles. Each stage typically culminates in a boss fight.
R-Type III introduces three different Force types, each with unique abilities, allowing players to choose a playstyle that suits them.

GBA Version:

The GBA port, while a faithful recreation of the SNES original, was met with mixed reviews due to various technical issues.
The port suffered from a few performance problems such as slowdowns, which were particularly noticeable during intense action sequences with many enemies on the screen.
The visuals and sound were also criticized for not fully capturing the quality of the SNES version, though the core gameplay remained intact.

Reception:

While the SNES version of “R-Type III” is generally well-regarded for its gameplay and challenge, the GBA port received criticism primarily for its technical shortcomings.

Legacy:

R-Type III is remembered as a solid entry in the R-Type series, particularly for its innovative Force system and challenging gameplay, though the GBA port’s performance issues have made it less celebrated than the original SNES version.

Despite the issues with the GBA port, R-Type III: The Third Lightning remains a significant title in the history of shoot ’em ups, particularly for fans of the genre.

Critics:
Cube (Germany) Game Boy Advance - 83%
Retro Gamer Game Boy Advance - 83%
HonestGamers (Staff reviews only) Game Boy Advance - 80%
IGN Game Boy Advance - 45%
R-Type is a name synonymous with "side-scrolling" shooter, popularized in the arcade nearly two decades ago by Irem. The series extended into many sequels in the arcade and the console, and even saw a decent port to the Game Boy when Nintendo left the world of grey-scale and into the realm of full color in R-Type DX.. R-Type Final recently shipped on the PlayStation 2, and hot on its heels is the extremely long-in-waiting Super NES port of R-Type III for the Game Boy Advance. This conversion is decent on a technical level, but in terms of gameplay this design needed to spend a lot more time in the cooker.

Released: 2004
Machine Type: Game Boy Advance
Original System: SNES
Published by: Destination Software, Inc.
Developed by: Irem Corp.
Ported by: Raylight Studios s.r.l.
Genre: Action
Setting: Sci-fi / futuristic
Japanese spelling: アールタイプ3

#gameboyadvance
#retrogaming
#oldschool