R-Type Dimensions III brings the 1993 SNES classic to PS5, Switch 2, and PC in May

ININ Games and Tozai have announced R-Type Dimensions III, a full 3D rebuild of R-Type III: The Third Lightning, the 1993 Super Nintendo entry in Irem's side-scrolling shooter series. The game is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC via Steam in May 2026. And...it looks rad!

I owned the original R-Type on the TurboGrafx-16, and it's been my favorite side-scrolling shooter ever since. Even back then the graphics were something else. The enemy sprites were enormous, filling the screen in ways that felt impossible for the hardware. That first playthrough left an impression that stuck.

R-Type III launched on the SNES in 1993 and pushed the 16-bit hardware hard. Irem used Mode 7 rotation effects and some of the largest sprites the console could manage. The game introduced three different Force types: the standard Round Force, the homing Shadow Force, and the Cyclone Force. It also added Hyperdrive mode, which let you unleash a surge of damage at the cost of overheating your ship. The Bydo enemies in this entry are as grotesque as ever. One boss forces you to navigate through its internal organs. Irem really committed to the nightmare biomechanical aesthetic.

What Dimensions III changes

The remake rebuilds every stage, boss, and projectile pattern with high-end 3D graphics and an arranged soundtrack. Like the previous R-Type Dimensions EX collection, players can swap between the new 3D visuals and the original 2D sprites at any point during play. The audio gets the same treatment -- toggle between the classic SNES sound chip and the new score whenever you want.

ININ is adding a local co-op mode that was entirely absent from the SNES original. There's also an Infinity Mode with unlimited lives and instant respawns for players who want to experience the game without the punishing checkpoint system. An Advanced mode is unlocked from the start for those who want the uncompromised version.

The January 2026 trailer confirmed that the Switch 2 version ships on a physical game card with no required downloads.

Physical editions

ININ is offering two premium physical editions alongside the standard release. The Special Edition (€59.99) includes the game, an artbook covering concept art and visual development, and the full new soundtrack. The Collector's Edition (€199.99) adds exclusive bonus items and a figurine based on the new cover art. Both are available to pre-order now via the Steam listing.