R-Type I and II on Game Boy Color. Both games, both Force configurations, one GBC cartridge.
R-Type DX was developed by Irem and released for Game Boy Color in October 1999 — a compilation of R-Type and R-Type II adapted for Game Boy Color hardware. Both games were included on a single cartridge, with both the Type I and Type II Force configurations available. The Game Boy Color hardware supported the original games' visual style with the added color palette. R-Type DX sold approximately 200,000 copies and is the most complete handheld version of the early R-Type games, making both games accessible to handheld players.
About this game
Released in 1999, R-Type DX is a Game Boy Color compilation that bundles enhanced colour versions of both R-Type and R-Type II for Game Boy, plus an all-new R-Type DX mode exclusive to the GBC cartridge. Developed by Bits Studios, it represents one of the most complete handheld shooting experiences of the era — preserving the series' legendary precision-based gameplay in portable form while adding GBC colour support to games previously played in monochrome.
Key Features
The cartridge includes three modes: the original R-Type and R-Type II in GBC-enhanced colour, and the new R-Type DX mode featuring adjusted difficulty and exclusive content. The iconic Force Device mechanic — where players control a detachable pod — remains central. Link Cable support for two-player score competition was included.
Gallery
The Story Behind
R-Type first appeared in arcades in 1987, becoming one of the defining shoot 'em ups of its era through its methodical, almost puzzle-like approach to enemy patterns and the Force Device. By the time R-Type DX arrived on GBC in 1999, the arcade original was over a decade old — yet the game translated remarkably well to the portable format, demonstrating the series' gameplay endurance.
Tricks & Tales
R-Type DX was one of the games recently selected for re-release on modern platforms in 2026, nearly 27 years after its original GBC launch — a sign of its enduring reputation among shoot 'em up fans. The GBC version was published in Japan by Epoch Co., Ltd. rather than Irem directly, as part of an unusual publishing arrangement for the region.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Published in Japan by Epoch Co., Ltd. and internationally by Irem. The Japan version is slightly harder to find than the Western release.
Maintenance Tips
Game Boy Color cartridges — the smaller, slightly translucent-shell format — use the same cleaning approach as original DMG carts: a cotton swab with 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol wiped along the contact row, allowed to dry fully before reinsertion. The GBC console's ABS plastic shell faces the same yellowing risk as the DMG when exposed to UV light over time. Notably, several GBC titles — most famously Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal — include a real-time clock (RTC) circuit that runs continuously off a CR2025 coin cell. These batteries are now well over 25 years old; a dead RTC battery means time-based in-game events will not advance, even though the game itself will still load and save normally. This is a distinct issue from save data loss.
Going deeper
Explore the machine this game ran on, and what to check before you buy or care for one:
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese R-Type DX copies regularly.
Is this a region-free game? Will a Japanese Game Boy cartridge work on any Game Boy console?
Yes. The original Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Color have no hardware region lock — a Japanese cartridge plays on any Game Boy or Game Boy Color console worldwide without modification. The game itself is in Japanese, but the hardware accepts it freely. Game Boy Advance consoles are also backward-compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges and share this region-free status.
How should I clean a Game Boy cartridge?
Apply 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol to a cotton swab and gently wipe the gold-plated edge contacts on the base of the cartridge. Never blow into the cartridge — breath moisture accelerates contact corrosion. If the shell needs to be opened for deeper cleaning, Game Boy cartridges use 3.8mm security game bit screws. The contacts are small; clean with a gentle wiping motion rather than abrasive pressure.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy R-Type DX
A short checklist for buying a used Game Boy Color cartridge wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Good news — Game Boy Color is region-free
These cartridges are not region-locked, so a Japanese copy plays on any compatible Game Boy worldwide.
Confirm whether the title is Color-only or also works on the original Game Boy.
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If this title saves your progress, check the battery
Cartridges that save use a small coin-cell battery that fades over decades — a dead one wipes your save without warning.
Ask the seller whether the save function was tested. Replacing the battery is possible, but doing so erases any existing save.
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Check that the contacts are clean
Dirty edge contacts are the most common cause of startup and sound trouble in cartridges of this age.
Choose a seller who cleans the contacts before shipping. A note that it was tested and cleaned means the basics were handled.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
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