R-Type II Game Boy box art

Game Boy · Action

R-Type II

SystemGame Boy
Released1992
GenreAction
DeveloperIrem
PublisherIrem
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesR-Type
LegacyDeep cut

R-Type II is an action game released in 1992 for the Game Boy, developed by Irem.

It landed about 3 years into the Game Boy's life. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1992 include Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Kirby's Dream Land and Mega Man III.

It is part of the R-Type series; on the Game Boy you can also try R-Type. The series also appears on other systems with R-Type (Master System) and Super R-Type (SNES). Irem also made Kung-Fu Master, Undercover Cops: Hakaishin Garumaa and Racing Damashii for the Game Boy.

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you've played the Game Boy hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing R-Type II is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

R-Type II gameplay screenshot on Game Boy
In-game screenshot (Game Boy)

R-Type II cheats & codes

6 codes on file (Game Genie, GameShark, Xploder, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

Infinite LivesFAE-C0F

See all R-Type II cheats

If you like R-Type II, the Matrix also picks…

R-Type box art
R-Type Game Boy · 1991 · Action
Alleyway box art
Alleyway Game Boy · 1989 · Action Classic

Playing Game Boy games today

Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.

R-Type II FAQ

When did R-Type II come out on the Game Boy?

R-Type II was released for the Game Boy in 1992.

Who made R-Type II?

It was developed by Irem.

Is R-Type II multiplayer?

No. R-Type II is a single-player game.

How long does R-Type II take to play?

As an action game, R-Type II typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you