The Remake of R-Type Dimensions for XBLA Out Today

Posted by John as Shmups

Hold your breath in anticipation as R-Type Dimensions will be released today Wednesday, February 4 on the Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) at a price of 1200 Microsoft points.

R-Type Dimensions is a popular arcade shooter initially released 1987. This shooter is a classic game though it poses legendary difficulty as well. A couple of years later see its follow up, R-Type II, which saw a more limited release in America. Both classic and remake of R-type Dimensions have been ported to numerous systems throughout the years even to Nintendo Wii’s Virtual Arcade.

Tozai Games is responsible of the classic R-Type Dimensions. It was founded in 1996 and focused on IP licensing between Japan, USA and Europe. 2006 marked the shift from IP licensing into developing games particularly online and Microsoft services. While some Xbox live Arcade games have a shorter development cycle and cost effective than full retail releases, Tozai Games invested over two years on developing R-Type Dimensions.

Due to such investment, it makes the release of R-Type Dimensions to smaller service such as the XNA Community Games impossible. On the good side, don’t expect R-Type Dimensions to be a quick and dirty port which is something that has plagued the Live Arcade with. The history of the team with the franchise motivated them to develop the classic shooter that old fans would enjoy while having the flash to draw in new gamers.

The team behind the recreation of R-Type Dimensions are fans of this shooter themselves. Brett Ballow, Executive Producer, recalls how he almost failed to finish college because of the game. Ballow had to purchase his own arcade cabinet to avoid flunking out. Chief Advisor of Tozai Games, Scott Tsumura, has an even more involved history with the franchise. Tsumura has been working with the video game industry since 1978. He shares the time in Japan where he worked for Irem Corporation, IP holder of R-Type, and was involved with the development of R-Type and mainly sales.

After years of work, R-Type Dimensions is inching closer to its release date. The package contains R-Type and R-Type II both with completely reworked visuals. Here’s a first for the Live Arcade, switch and swap between the original, classic 2D graphics and the all-new 3D look. Just hit a button to let you move back and forth form one look to the other without any need to pause the game.

Tozai also included a co-operative mode for two players that can be played locally or online. The co-op mode is perfect for casual or first-time gamers since it makes experience less overwhelming. The formula of R-Type Dimensions hasn’t radically changed with enemy patterns still intact though an infinite continue mode has been mixed in for those who can not beat the game on limited credits.

Another classic remake in the works is Lode Runner. Tozai Games is working the development on this game. Watch out for news about Lode Runner remake in the future.

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