R-Type 128K - One of the best Amstrad CPC remakes available!


Usually I'm not one to bang on about how good most remakes are as usually they are of a lower quality affair. But when it comes to the R-Type 128K remake for the Amstrad CPC that's an exception. This cult classic shoot em up was first ported across from the ZX to the Amstrad CPC in the very late 1980's, although it was a good game it was a rather lackluster port. Not that the ZX was a bad machine, but the Amstrad CPC version had very little enhancements and actually ended up being worse than the ZX Spectrum version  (slower being one such problem). But fast forward to 2011-12 and one of the best things was to ever happen to the Amstrad version!

Original Version

Developed by a team of people from Easter Egg they released the R-Type 128k version. A remake that is such class that if you haven't played it, you are seriously missing out. The entire game was re-written both improving it and enhancing many of the games features that was either missing or lacking from the original port. According to the history of this remake from a bit of researching, there was also help from other members such as Keith Goodyer (Amstrad programmer) and Bob Pape (Spectrum Programmer), who came forward with some of the original code.

Thus R-Type 128k was developed to impress, from the very load up the game smacks you with the wow factor, you just know you are in for a treat. The soundtrack, absent from the official CPC version was given a real kick, it is one of those soundtracks that would sound awesome pumping out from your home speakers, let alone a retro computer. Gameplay has been also been improved as it is so much smoother and does not feel slow unlike the original. It's an incredible feat when you consider that the graphics have also been completely overhauled, what you would probably class as an 8-BIT HD version, just so damn good! 

R-Type 128K

Granted it isn't the original Arcade version, but when it comes to this 8-bit overhauled remake, is just feels so spot on. You've got to play this game!



OST

Website

Download the 3" CF2 side A / side B DSK.
Download the 3"½ MF2 dual side DSK.
Download the HxC dual side floppy File

It is highly recommended to play this on a real Amstrad with either a PC floppy modification or HxC device, however you can try the game out through an emulator on your PC

8 comments:

  1. Christina Burroughs12 July 2014 at 00:23

    Excellent write up Neil and what an amazing remake! and a download too, oh how you spoil us! thank you :)

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  2. INDIERETRONEWS12 July 2014 at 12:42

    Hey Christina! Thanks for your positive feedback, means a lot to us :)

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  3. Wait, you play R-Type? I have never met a female who is into R-Type before!

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  4. INDIERETRONEWS13 July 2014 at 13:47

    Christina is pretty famous around these parts, owner of Commodore is awesome one of our affiliate retro sites ;)

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  5. cpc+ palette optimization (just like Mojón Twins UlaPlus-based games, or Konami's Nemesis 3 on msx2 hardware) and gx4000 cartridge version would be a must! ;)

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  6. I sometimes regret buying a 6128+ but they are so much more expensive, ah well this mint condition 6128 will have to do ;)

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  7. nemesis/gradius next?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsjTpFR0oYQ&list=UURZq5_mcRtadsqj50-JAbsA

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