Super R-Type

Super R-Type is an SNES title that combines the elements of the original two R-Type games to create a new experience. This game is a horizontal side-scrolling shooter in which the player battles an army of aliens through 7 levels. 

The game features 4 levels from R-Type 2, as well as 3 newly created levels. 

Gameplay remains similar to the original games. The player controls their ship and collects upgrades through the Force attachment. The force attachment from the first two games returns and remains a key component of the series. It is a satellite weapon which can be attached to the front or back of the ship and attacks enemies as well as absorbs bullets. In this way, the force pod can be used defensively to destroy bullets without taking any damage, or offensively by collecting power-ups which allow the player to shoot different types of beams from whichever end of the ship the force is attached to. The force can also be ejected so that the player can attach it to the other end of the ship. Ejecting it can be used in many helpful ways throughout the game. Special weapons can be swapped for other weapons, or upgraded by collecting the same weapon. S power-ups increase the ships speed.

The R-Type series is known for its difficulty, forcing players to restart from checkpoints when they get hit once. Super R-Type is even more difficult in that the checkpoints are removed and the player must completely restart the level when they lose a life.

Super R-Type was heavily criticized for massive slowdown when there's a lot on screen at once. The slowdown was much worse than other SNES games and could decrease the speed of gameplay until it was nearly stalled.

Another entry in the R-Type series was released for the SNES entitled R-Type 3. Super R-Type is available on the Wii Virtual Console.