R-Type — Michael CavaciniMichael Cavacini

If you followed my preview post back in January, you know how excited I was for the release of R-Type Dimensions III. ININ Games promised a definitive modern rebuild of the iconic sci-fi shoot-’em-up, and after spending significant time blasting through the Bydo Empire on Xbox Series X, I’m thrilled to report that it completely delivers.

For the uninitiated, R-Type is royalty in the side-scrolling shmup genre. It’s legendary for its precision gameplay, atmospheric bio-mechanical horror, and an unforgiving-but-fair difficulty curve. Dimensions III takes the foundational DNA of the arcade classics and masterfully elevates it for a modern generation of pilots.

Here is why this package is an absolute triumph for retro purists and newcomers alike.

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198X is a new arcade epic for Nintendo Switch. It’s a coming-of-age story told through multiple games and genres. It provides players with the opportunity to experience the thrill of shooting, driving, jumping, fighting, and role-playing in five full-blown arcade stages, combined with cinematic pixel-art storytelling. For $9.99, you get access to the first installment of this game on Nintendo Switch. This consists of 90+ minutes of intense gameplay and pixel-art storytelling. Speaking of which, it took nine expert pixel artists to deliver the larger-than-life old-school sprites present in this game. 198X also features 20+ music tracks from the likes of Yuzo Koshiro and Swedish hit-duo Sinephony. The second and final installment for 198X is coming, but the release date is TBD.