Play R-Type III Online Free for Super Nintendo.
R-Type III hits different when it boots instantly in your browser. Released in 1993 on the Super Nintendo, this retro classic from its publisher is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.
R-Type III: The Third Lightning is a 1993 side-scrolling shooter video game developed by Tamtex and first released in Japan by Irem in 1993 for the Super Famicom and in North America and Europe in 1994 for the SNES.
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| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad Up | ↑ | D-Pad up |
| D-Pad Down | ↓ | D-Pad down |
| D-Pad Left | ← | D-Pad left |
| D-Pad Right | → | D-Pad right |
| B (bottom) | X | Bottom face |
| A (right) | Z | Right face |
| Y (left) | S | Left face |
| X (top) | A | Top face |
| L | Q | Left shoulder |
| R | E | Right shoulder |
| Start | Enter | Start |
| Select | V | Select |
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The Story Behind R-Type III
R-Type III was originally released only on the Super NES, but later ported to the Game Boy Advance by Italy-based Raylight Studios. The SNES version was released for download on the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console, but was delisted in Japan on March 30, 2012, Europe on March 31, 2012 and North America on January 2, 2013. At the CES 2018, Retro-bit has announced that they would be re-releasing R-Type III: The Third Lightning as well as its other installments on a Super NES multicart that was released in May 2018, having a Standard Edition and a Limited Collector’s Edition as well.
R-Type III: The Third Lightning is a game built into Retro-Bit's Super Retrocade, which features a number of legally-licensed titles. (In the version 1.1 release of that product, the first R-Type and R-Type II are also included games.) R-Type III would receive a high definition remake called R-Type Dimensions III on May 18, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC through Steam, developed by KRITZELKRATZ 3000 and published by ININ. is a 1993 side-scrolling shooter video game developed by Tamtex and first released in Japan by Irem in 1993 for the Super Famicom and in North America and Europe in 1994 for the SNES. The Game Boy Advance version received "generally unfavorable" reviews, holding a rating of 57.72% based on nine reviews according to review aggregators Metacritic and GameRankings.
How R-Type III Plays
The shots fired create damaging explosions, and if the player has collected one or two Bits, they spin around the ship burning with energy. However, this Hyper mode causes the ship to overheat after a short while, and it must subsequently spend seconds cooling down, during which time the wave cannon is inoperative. By switching to Hyper mode and supercharging the wave cannon, the ship temporarily gains the ability to use the Hyper Wave Cannon, which is unique among wave cannons in having a rapid fire capability.
A new weapon called the Hyper Wave Cannon was also added to the ship, which the player could use instead of the normal wave cannon if desired. These both had new, different weapon sets and special enhancements. It can be assumed that this is because the original R-90 would simply be too powerful for the game to be any kind of challenge.
Why Players Still Load It Up
is a 1993 side-scrolling shooter video game developed by Tamtex and first released in Japan by Irem in 1993 for the Super Famicom and in North America and Europe in 1994 for the SNES. In 2018, Complex ranked the game 32nd on their "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time." In 1995, Total! rated the game 42nd in their Top 100 SNES Games. The game also garnered generally favorable reception from critics.
In 1997, Electronic Gaming Monthly ranked the Super NES version the 23rd best console video game of all time, saying that compared to its predecessors it had virtually eliminated the slowdown, increased the difficulty, improved the graphics and sounds, and expanded the strategy by allowing the player to choose from three different Force Device units. IGN ranks it #65 on its list of the Top SNES Games of All Time. R-Type III: The Third Lightning received a 22.0/30 score in a readers' poll conducted by Super Famicom Magazine.
R-Type III — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play R-Type III online for free?
Yes — R-Type III runs directly in your browser on this page. There is nothing to download or install; the game boots in the player above.
Do I need a controller to play R-Type III?
A gamepad is optional. The keyboard mapping shown on this page works immediately, and plugging in a USB or Bluetooth controller switches the player over on its own.
Who developed R-Type III?
R-Type III was developed by Tamtex, Raylight Studios and published by its publisher.
Where can I buy the original R-Type III?
Scroll to "Other Places You Can Get This Game" beneath the write-up — it lists trusted stores selling official copies.