R-Type DX: Music Encore Announced for Nintendo Switch – A Classic Shoot ’Em Up Gets a Musical Revival

City Connection has officially announced the upcoming release of R-Type DX: Music Encore for the Nintendo Switch, scheduled to launch this winter.

This latest entry celebrates the legacy of the iconic shoot ’em up series by revitalizing R-Type DX, the compilation originally released in 1999, and introducing a host of new features aimed at both long-time fans and newcomers. R-Type DX: Music Encore includes the beloved R-Type and R-Type 2 titles, as well as a brand-new "Ultimate Challenge" mode that spans the missions of both games.

This fresh mode not only raises the stakes with enhanced difficulty and meticulous progress tracking but also debuts a groundbreaking feature: every stage now boasts dedicated background music, a first for the handheld versions.

Where earlier versions often reused background tracks, Music Encore brings stage-specific compositions that faithfully replicate the arcade experience. For the musical overhaul, City Connection enlisted WASi303, a composer renowned for expertise in retro game sound.

Using authentic handheld hardware sound chips, WASi303 has crafted new scores that not only preserve the timeless resonance of the originals but also offer an innovative listening experience for players.

The result is a soundscape that feels authentic to the era yet fresh for today's audience. The Nintendo Switch release will offer robust support features designed with accessibility in mind.

Players can utilize convenient options such as Rewind, Quick Save & Load, Full Power-Up Start, and a rapid-fire toggle, ensuring a smoother experience for both veterans and newcomers to the genre.

Additionally, competitive players can monitor their performance with detailed tracking metrics like hit ratio, number of continues, and achievements that catalog a variety of in-game accomplishments. R-Type DX: Music Encore also embraces the nostalgia of classic gaming with digitized extras, including original packaging art and flyers from the games’ heyday.

Gamers will be able to toggle between Color and Monochrome modes for R-Type and R-Type 2, with the "Ultimate Challenge" mode available exclusively in Color. The narrative backbone of the collection remains as riveting as ever.

In R-Type, players experience humanity's first confrontation with the ruthless Bydo Empire, an alien race threatening annihilation from an alternate dimension in the Space Era 220X.

The story of R-Type 2 tracks the relentless return of the Bydo, who, despite a prior defeat by the R-9 fleet, have resurged with newfound strength and renewed hostility, prompting humanity to mount another desperate defense. City Connection's decision to merge classic gameplay with an upgraded, arcade-accurate soundtrack and contemporary player enhancements underscores their commitment to both preservation and innovation within the retro gaming market.

With a winter 2024 release planned for the Nintendo Switch via the eShop, R-Type DX: Music Encore is poised to offer an enriched, accessible blast from the past for both experienced pilots and a new generation of gamers.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch City Connection R-Type R-Type DX Music Encore R-Type 2 WASi303 Bydo Empire