R-Type Delta HD Boosted is a faithful but underwhelming take on the genre-defining classic

R-Type Delta HD Boosted on Xbox is a remastered edition of the 1998 PlayStation classic, bringing what is probably the most lauded title in the legendary shoot ’em up series into the modern era. It’s a fairly minimalist (yet faithful) update that preserves the original’s haunting tone and punishing gameplay, while layering in visual upgrades and quality-of-life improvements that make it more accessible to today’s players.

The original R-Type Delta was notable for being the first fully 3D installment in the series, though it retained the side-scrolling perspective and methodical pacing that defined R-Type. The HD Boosted version on Xbox sharpens those visuals somewhat. Ships, enemies and backgrounds are rendered with cleaner, crisper textures, smoother animations, and enhanced lighting effects. The result is a game that feels rooted in its late-90s design, but with just enough of an upgrade to be passable on modern TV’s.

Gameplay remains true to the series’ DNA. You pilot one of a few distinct ships, each with its own Force Pod configuration and weapon loadout. The Force Pod — a detachable, indestructible drone — is the heart of what defined R-Type Delta at the time of its original release. The Force Pod allows you to block enemy fire, attack from multiple angles, and adapt to shifting threats depending on which ship you’re in. 

Mastering the Force Pod placement is critical, especially against the game’s massive, multi-phase bosses. R-Type Delta also introduced branching ship choices and more varied weapon systems, and those options are preserved here, giving players meaningful tactical variety.

Difficulty is outrageously high, even for a late 1990’s shooter. R-Type Delta HD Boosted demands memorization, precision, and patience. Enemy waves are carefully choreographed and environmental hazards punish sloppy movement. Levels feel unbelievably compact, with many scenes demanding that the player move through the tightest of environments whilst simultaneously fighting off multiple enemies and attacks.There’s no rewind mode or similar here, so whist we get a few minor control tweaks (such as auto-fire), R-Type Delta is still very, very tough.

The atmosphere is one of Delta’s enduring strengths. The soundtrack blends eerie ambient tracks with driving battle themes, and the visual design leans into bio-mechanical horror — grotesque bosses, decaying industrial backdrops, and surreal alien landscapes. The HD remake enhances this mood with new remixes and variant soundtracks, whilst the sharper detail and more dramatic graphics highlight the game’s unsettling aesthetic. 

As you would expect, performance on Xbox is smooth. Load times are minimal, framerate is stable, and controls feel responsive on a standard controller. R-Type Delta HD Boosted scales well across resolutions, and the boosted visuals look crisp even on large displays. For purists, there’s also the option to toggle between original and remastered graphics, offering a nostalgic glimpse of the PlayStation-era presentation. Personally, I have found that early 3D graphics (such as those on PlayStation) have aged worse than any — including 16-bit — and in some ways the R-Type Delta HD Boosted graphics now serve to highlight some of the jankiness that we all know (and sometimes love) whichever mode you choose.

Replayability is strong thanks to the choice of multiple (and very different) ships alongside the sheer satisfaction of mastering some of the most difficult stages ever seen in a game of this kind. Leaderboards and score-chasing add longevity, while the lack of a local two player mode is perhaps a bit of a shame For fans of the shoot-em-up genre, R-Type Delta HD Boosted is a game that rewards repeated playthroughs and incremental improvement.

R-Type Delta HD Boosted on Xbox is a respectful, well-executed but minimal remaster of one of the series’ most distinctive entries. It preserves the punishing gameplay and eerie atmosphere that made the original memorable, while adding barely enough modern enhancements to make the price tag worthwhile. For shoot ’em up enthusiasts, it’s both a nostalgic return and a fresh challenge — a reminder of why R-Type remains one of the genre’s defining names.

R-Type Delta HD Boosted is available now for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch & PC