R-Types

R-Types includes conversions of the arcade games R-Type (1987) and R-Type II (1989). In both games, the player controls a starship named the R-9 that must eradicate the Bydo, a powerful extraterrestrial race bent on the destruction of mankind. Gameplay involves shooting down enemies and avoiding collision with enemies, projectiles and obstacles. The R-9 can perform a charge shot by holding down the fire button, which when released disperses a blast that cuts through enemies.

Destroying small "POW Armor" enemies causes them to leave behind a power-up item, which grants the player one of several unique abilities when collected. One is the "Force", an orange-colored pod that acts as a shield for the R-9 and provides additional firepower. The Force can be attached to either the front or back of the R-9, and can also be launched forwards or backwards to fly freely. R-Type II adds a number of additional features and mechanics, including new weapon types and a new type of charge shot that creates a barrage of shots that home in on enemies.

By the late 1990s, Japanese video game company Irem, known for arcade hits such as R-Type and Moon Patrol, were having financial difficulties, attributed to a severe lack of major money-making hits compared to their golden years. Shortly after the release of R-Type III: The Third Lightning for the SNES, Irem closed all of its video game production lines in 1994 to focus on restructuring itself and becoming more stable.

After the company emerged as Irem Software Engineering in 1997, R-Type series chief producer Kazumi Kujo proposed a new R-Type game to executives. In an interview with Retro Gamer magazine, Kujo remembers Irem executives being very hesitant towards the idea, saying they felt the shoot’em up genre was a niche market. After several discussions, Irem proposed that Kujo and other employees create a compilation of early R-Type games as a way to test the market and see if a new sequel would be profitable. Kujo agreed, and got to work on what later became R-Types.

According to Kujo, R-Types sold well and gave Irem hope in a new R-Type sequel performing well financially in the market. Original copies have greatly risen in price over the years, and is seen as a collector's piece among R-Type fans.

The game received mostly positive reviews. Computer + Video Games said "Although we've had some great shooting games recently, R-Types still stands out as one of the very best on the PlayStation." The quality of the collection itself has been mixed, with some saying it could have benefited from additional titles. GameSpot said that Irem should have included additional games to make the price point justified, such as Super R-Type and R-Type Leo, which Famitsu agreed with.