Screenshots1 / 2
R-Type
R-Type 异形战机
R-Type is a horizontal scrolling shooter developed by Irem and released in 1987. Players control a spaceship armed with a beam weapon and a special attachment called the Force, a sphere that can be charged for enhanced firepower and used as a shield. The game features eight challenging stages with progressively difficult enemy formations and boss encounters. Players navigate through space, collecting power-ups to upgrade weapons, and must survive waves of alien attacks. The Force mechanic allows strategic positioning and defensive options, distinguishing the game from other shooters of its era. Arcade players face demanding patterns and require precise timing to advance.
- Developer
- Irem
- Released
- 1987
- Platform
- Arcade
- Genre
- Shooter
- Rating
- 4.4 / 5 (3.1K)
- Last updated
R-Type Controls — Arcade Keyboard Keys
Default keyboard bindings for R-Type on our in-browser Arcade emulator. Plug in a USB or Bluetooth gamepad to auto-detect mappings, or rebind any key from the emulator settings menu.
| Keyboard | Console button | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| ↑ | Joystick Up | Move up |
| ↓ | Joystick Down | Move down |
| ← | Joystick Left | Move left |
| → | Joystick Right | Move right |
| X | Button 1 | Primary action (jump / confirm) |
| Z | Button 2 | Secondary action (attack / cancel) |
| S | Button 3 | Tertiary action |
| A | Button 4 | Quaternary action |
| Q | Button 5 | Fifth button |
| W | Button 6 | Sixth button |
| 5 | Insert Coin | Insert coin |
| 1 | 1P Start | Start / Pause |
Coin and Start are convention "Insert Coin: 5" and "1P Start: 1". Some arcade boards expect specific button mappings — check the in-game prompts on coin-up.
Rebind any key from the EmulatorJS in-game settings menu (gear icon → Controls). A connected gamepad auto-maps to the same buttons.
R-Type Longplay & Gameplay Videos
Watch a full playthrough of R-Type on Arcade before you dive in — recommended for getting a feel for the game's pacing, story beats, and difficulty curve.
Watch longplay on YouTube
"R-Type" Arcade longplay 1987
External references
Frequently Asked Questions
When was R-Type released?
R-Type was released in 1987 for the Arcade.
Who developed R-Type?
R-Type was developed by Irem, available to play in your browser on RetroGameSpace.
What type of game is R-Type?
R-Type is a Shooter game for the Arcade, playable instantly in your browser — no downloads, no installs.
How can I play R-Type for free?
Open this page and click "Play Now" — R-Type runs free in your browser via WebAssembly emulation. No account, no payment, no installer.
Do I need to download anything to play R-Type in the browser?
No. R-Type streams from a public archive into a browser-side Arcade emulator. Nothing is installed on your computer.
Can I save my progress in R-Type?
Yes. Save states are stored in your browser (IndexedDB) per game, and you can also use any in-game save the original Arcade cartridge supported.
Does R-Type work on mobile devices?
Yes — the Arcade emulator runs on iOS Safari and Android Chrome. Touch controls overlay the game; landscape mode is recommended.
Is it legal to play R-Type this way?
RetroGameSpace is a transient caching reverse-proxy and does not host first-party copies of R-Type. Game files are fetched on demand from publicly-accessible archives. You are responsible for compliance with your local laws and the bring-your-own-ROM principle.
