R-Type Delta

R-Type Delta is a shoot 'em up set in 2164. The game offers different fighters, with different Force and Wave Cannon combinations for the player to choose from. It also introduces the Dose System, which allows Forces to absorb energy through collisions with projectiles or enemies. Every Force has a Dose Gauge, and when the Dosage becomes 100%, the player can use the fighter's Delta Attack, a superweapon attack whose form depends on the fighter being used.

Irem began development of R-Type Delta in early 1998. Around the beginning of its development, Taito released a conversion of their arcade game RayStorm for the PlayStation, whose 3D visuals caught the eye of several video game developers and led to the release of several 3D shooting games for the console. Being rather impressed with its fast-paced action and polygonal graphics, Irem began to create a new R-Type game that could potentially rival the success of Taito's game. Led by director Hiroya Kita, Delta was the team's first attempt at a 3D video game, which in early test versions proved problematic as many of their ideas were ineffective in 3D compared to the 2D gameplay that Irem had primarily focused on.

Designer Koichi Kita recalls the 3D perspective being difficult to work with, notably with its level terrain as it made it difficult to determine the player's hitbox and often led to the unintended destruction of their ship. Kita also claims the Force pod was a frustrating ordeal as the polygonal visuals made it look "fake" and unappealing.

R-Type Delta received favorable reviews according to the Review aggregation website GameRankings. Tom Russo of NextGen said that the game was, "Overall, a fantastic looking effort, but proof that the gameplay limits of this genre will soon relegate all 2D shooters to classic collections." In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 34 out of 40. GamePro called it "an excellent time-waster, full of tasty eye-candy and time-tested blasting goodness."

Electronic Gaming Monthly reviewer Che Chou described the game as "the best R-Type [title] ever", while Peter Bartholow of GameSpot said of the Japanese import, "If there's one PlayStation shooter to own, R-Type Delta is that shooter." The game's graphics were highlighted for their diversity, colors, details, and complex polygon models, with GameSpot noting that each enemy offers unique explosions and attacks. The publication also praised the "top-notch" and dynamic soundtrack for giving the game "a catchy fusion of rock and techno that changes with the Japanese import's surroundings."