R-Type TurboGrafx-16 box art

TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine · Shoot 'em Up

R-Type

Certified classic

SystemTurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine
Released1989 (originally 1987)
GenreShoot 'em Up
DeveloperIrem
PublisherNEC
Players1 player
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
SeriesR-Type
ESRBE
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 7

Developed by Irem and published by NEC, R-Type arrived on the TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine in 1989 as a shoot 'em up. This TurboGrafx-16 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987.

It belongs to the TurboGrafx-16's earliest wave of games. Other notable TurboGrafx-16 releases from 1989 include Vigilante, Volfied and Dungeon Explorer. Among the 37 TurboGrafx-16 shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #6 by legacy score.

It is part of the R-Type series. The series also appears on other systems with R-Type (Master System) and Super R-Type (SNES). Irem also made Image Fight, Ninja Spirit and Legend of Hero Tonma for the TurboGrafx-16.

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 a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you want to experience one of the TurboGrafx-16's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing R-Type is like

Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.

Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.

R-Type gameplay screenshot on TurboGrafx-16
In-game screenshot (TurboGrafx-16)

R-Type cheats & codes

4 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:

Infinite Credits1f0143:09
Infinite Lives1f0142:09
Auto Fire (Charged Shot)1f016f:80
Invulnerability1f0d81:7b

See all R-Type cheats

R-Type walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for R-Type.

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Playing TurboGrafx-16 games today

The TurboGrafx library is a shmup fan's dream and full of games most Western players never tried. The TurboGrafx-16 Mini and Nintendo Switch Online have brought many of them back.

R-Type FAQ

When did R-Type come out on the TurboGrafx-16?

R-Type was released for the TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine in 1989; the original game dates back to 1987.

Who made R-Type?

It was developed by Irem and published by NEC.

Is R-Type multiplayer?

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

How long does R-Type take to play?

As a shoot 'em up, R-Type typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about R-Type on Wikipedia. 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