R-Type Delta: HD Boosted

A true arcade game that never was, and confined to the PlayStation until now, shoot-'em-up fans will adore what’s in store. A seminal work that has never looked better, Delta, with its boundless creativity and exacting design, stands out not just amongst its peers, but as perhaps the best R-Type the series ever produced. Yes, it’s still crazy tough, and no quick restarts or scene-skipping is painful, but this new HD revamp is by far the best way to play it. If you’re itching for a shoot-'em-up experience of note, this will make your year.

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is a glorious blast from the past that takes no prisoners. If you thrive under pressure and enjoy memorizing level layouts, this is the game for you. And if you don’t, give it a try anyway. It’s merciless, but incredibly engaging.

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted is a no-frills but lovingly faithful remaster of the 1999 PlayStation classic, offering a crisp and authentic shmup experience for genre purists. While it maintains the intensity and deep mechanics that made the original a standout, it also preserves some of its dated frustrations. The remaster excels in visual clarity and soundtrack quality, but minor control sensitivity and legacy design limitations may deter newcomers. Still, it's a solid preservation effort that rewards patience and precision.

The move to a 3D presentation came out well for R-Type Delta, and it looks great all these years later in this revamped format. An excellent soundtrack makes every stage more exciting, and the variety of spacecraft to choose from keeps playthroughs fresh. Like most shoot ‘em ups, this is a tough game, but it is one that sits right up there in the genre. That said, more features, unlockables and screen filters could have really elevated R-Type Delta: HD Boosted.