R-Type fan animation revives Irem's 1987 arcade classic
A new fan-made animation recreates the opening level of R-Type, one of Irem's most influential 2D shooters originally released in arcades in 1987.
The short, produced by animator Paul 'Otaking77077' Johnson for the YouTube channel Mashed, pays meticulous attention to the look, enemy placement and soundtrack that defined R-Type's early arcade identity.
The segment opens with a modern player berating the game for its 'coin-munching' mechanics and outdated visuals before being literally pulled into the game's world.
In clear, journalistic terms the piece frames the player complaining that the first boss should not be a source of instant death, and the animation uses that line to amplify the tension between old-school difficulty and contemporary expectations.
Visually and sonically faithful to the source material, the animation follows the iconic opening stage closely, matching enemy designs, bonus placement and the original music cues.
It also introduces a gameplay twist not present in the 1987 arcade original: a second player appears late in the sequence.
That cooperative option was added in the 2009 re-release R-Type Dimensions, which modernized the franchise for downloadable platforms and included features absent from the original cabinet.
R-Type's legacy includes several notable home conversions and sequels.
The franchise was ported to 8-bit systems such as the PC Engine and the Sega Master System, and later produced 16-bit entries including Super R-Type and R-Type III.
R-Type Dimensions (2009) marked a modern revival of the classic titles for digital platforms and demonstrated enduring interest in the series among retro and new audiences alike.
The short animation contains some strong language; viewers should be aware before watching.
Nintendo Life originally covered the Mashed video in a feature published on 19 May 2016, noting both the craft of the animation and the broader nostalgia for another major R-Type release.
While fans continue to celebrate R-Type's influence on the shooter genre, the series' original developer Irem has largely shifted its commercial focus away from mainstream console and arcade development and toward pachinko and related ventures.
The fan animation from Paul 'Otaking77077' nevertheless serves as a reminder of R-Type's design legacy and the enduring affection the gaming community holds for Irem's landmark shooter.
A new fan-made animation recreates the opening level of R-Type, one of Irem's most influential 2D shooters originally released in arcades in 1987.
The short, produced by animator Paul 'Otaking77077' Johnson for the YouTube channel Mashed, pays meticulous attention to the look, enemy placement and soundtrack that defined R-Type's early arcade identity.
The segment opens with a modern player berating the game for its 'coin-munching' mechanics and outdated visuals before being literally pulled into the game's world.
In clear, journalistic terms the piece frames the player complaining that the first boss should not be a source of instant death, and the animation uses that line to amplify the tension between old-school difficulty and contemporary expectations.
Visually and sonically faithful to the source material, the animation follows the iconic opening stage closely, matching enemy designs, bonus placement and the original music cues.
It also introduces a gameplay twist not present in the 1987 arcade original: a second player appears late in the sequence.
That cooperative option was added in the 2009 re-release R-Type Dimensions, which modernized the franchise for downloadable platforms and included features absent from the original cabinet.
R-Type's legacy includes several notable home conversions and sequels.
The franchise was ported to 8-bit systems such as the PC Engine and the Sega Master System, and later produced 16-bit entries including Super R-Type and R-Type III.
R-Type Dimensions (2009) marked a modern revival of the classic titles for digital platforms and demonstrated enduring interest in the series among retro and new audiences alike.
The short animation contains some strong language; viewers should be aware before watching.
Nintendo Life originally covered the Mashed video in a feature published on 19 May 2016, noting both the craft of the animation and the broader nostalgia for another major R-Type release.
While fans continue to celebrate R-Type's influence on the shooter genre, the series' original developer Irem has largely shifted its commercial focus away from mainstream console and arcade development and toward pachinko and related ventures.
The fan animation from Paul 'Otaking77077' nevertheless serves as a reminder of R-Type's design legacy and the enduring affection the gaming community holds for Irem's landmark shooter.
