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R-Type III & Super R-Type Collector’s Edition Unboxing
If just a few years ago someone would tell me that new SNES cartridges would still be manufactured and sold in 2018, I would have dismissed it as wishful thinking. However Retro-Bit is here to materialize all of those wishful thoughts. They have been re-publishing classic cartridge-based games recently like the Data East Classic Collection and the Jaleco Brawler's Pack. They even went ahead and released a brand-new HDMI-compatible console, the Super RetroTRIO Plus, that plays original NES, SNES and Mega Drive carts on the same device (albeit not without some flaws)! The team is on a modern-retro spree and doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon as they recently released the R-Type III & Super R-Type Collector’s Edition and Holy Diver Collector’s Edition. The company generously sent samples of each for us to check out and in this article, we’ll take a look at what the R-Type III & Super R-Type Collector’s Edition packs!
Retro-Bit’s R-Type III & Super R-Type Collector’s Edition came out last month in the U.S but it was released only a few weeks ago in Europe. The whole thing comes in a classy hard embossed Collector's Box with a minimalist design featuring the titular spaceship’s outline in the starry expanse that is space. Opening it up, you will find the following goodies and oh, does it come with goodies!
Individually Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
Given that this Collector’s Edition is limited to 2900 copies, this numbered certificate can get quite handy for full bragging rights to show off your cool new retro collection.
Hard Covered Notebook
This lined notebook is practical for its pocket size and even features some rad arts from the game!
Retro-Bit x FigPin Limited Edition Enamel Pin Set
To commemorate this limited release, the two pixelated pins pictured above were included. Those charming pins are perfect to attach to your jacket or bag to add some style in your gamer’s outfit
Original Art Prints
Three postcard-sized prints featuring high quality art from of anime artist OtaKing have been added to the stash. They really do portray the vibrant action and colorful aspect of R-Type! OtaKing even made a fan anime short inspired by the game before which you can check out below:
Exclusive Sticker Collection
Additionally, you get two sheets of stickers featuring vibrant designs from the game’s elements to satisfy your sticker needs.
Original retail box with game cartridge and color manual
Given the plethora of exclusive stuff that comes with this set, you’d be forgiven to have forgotten about what might be the most important item in the box: the actual game. Packed in an authentic SNES box is the game cartridge. This time around Retro-Bit has finally opted for a more faithful cartridge design and this one boasts the European SNES cart design. The first 1,000 units come with a special limited edition space blue colored cartridge but mine is the regular black version. However Retro-Bit did not include a dust cover as they did in their previous cart releases but it's not that much of a problem as you can safely store the cart in the box. The instruction manual includes the official instructions in both English and Japanese giving some introduction to the game, controls and details the effects of the in-game items/power-ups. It also features some more arts from OtaKing.
Note that the cartridge comes with two games: R-Type III and Super R-Type, which you can choose at the startup screen. Both were developed for the SNES by Irem when the console was still current-gen, with Super R-Type releasing in 1991 and R-Type III in 1993. The premise of the series is as follows:
I did not have the opportunity to play them before but for retro games, they do hold up pretty well when it comes to having a good time and the games reminded me of Space Impact on the old Nokia phones. Both titles have similar horizontal side-scrolling shooter gameplay. Booting the titles up for the first time on the Super RetroTRIO Plus, I had hours of 16-bit fast-paced space shooting fun with varying opponents in large levels, loads of exciting power-ups that modify your weapons and original mecha and monster boss fights all in some glorious upbeat retro tunes. To up the fun, R-Type III even features a two player mode! The ease to pick up this game and the ensuing fun that every level generates make both titles easily replayable, even if you keep on crashing the R-Type against hostile fighters and space debris as you get carried away by the fast action.
At an MSRP of $59.99 or €64,99 in Europe, the R-Type III & Super R-Type Collector’s Edition is definitely a recommended product for its high quality and quantity contents! That is, if you can get your hands on one...
R-Type III & Super R-Type Collector’s Edition European Trailer:
P.S: Stay tuned as we unbox the Holy Diver Collector’s Edition later this week!
[UPDATE]
Following concerns regarding the authenticity and cost of this set, a Retro-Bit representative reached out to point the following:
Last edited by Prans,
