'R-Type Dimensions III' is released digitally on May 19.

IREM, ININ Games

The shiny new port of R-Type III has finally been given a digital release date in a few weeks and a physical edition out in August.

R-Type III was the first numbered entry to the R-Type series that wasn’t released in the arcades. Instead, it was released on the Super Famicom in 1993 and then a year later on the SNES in 1994.

It’s generally regarded highly amongst fans of the series, but it’s also known for its extreme difficulty, even compared to Irem’s other extremely challenging shmups.

This game also introduced new Force power-ups: the standard Round Force, as well as the Cyclone Force and Shadow Force. These offered different weapon sets and other special enhancements.

You also had a new ship, the R-90 Ragnarok, which had a sleeker sculpt and generally looked a lot more futuristic. It’s also one of my favorite designs from the R-Type series, and I was quick to get the Ques-Q toy from a few years back.

Talking of toys, the physical collector’s edition for this new R-Type Dimensions also comes with a figure that is being sculpted by Weta Digital, so I am really curious to see what that will look like when it comes out on August 11.

Like the previous R-Type Dimensions, this version of R-Type III also has a 3D mode that you can switch between on the fly. Personally, while I am not overly fussed on the 3D gimmick, I am glad that R-Type III will be once again more readily available.

R-Type Dimensions III is released digitally on May 19 for Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The physical collector’s edition will be released on August 11.

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