R-Type is one of those games from a simpler time, when all you needed for a great game was a lone ship, a few interesting weapon power-ups, wave after wave of frantic alien death, and a slowly scrolling background to gauge your progress. And, in those days, R-Type was king, bringing all that as well as an interesting shield-pod-thing dynamic to keep things lively (and, at times, alive). Fans of R-Type can rejoice, as R-Type Dimensions brings arcade hits R-Type and R-Type II from the arcades of the 80s into the comfort of your home.

Okay, I admit that sounds like marketing hype, but both games are faithfully presented (as far as my memory serves me), with the original maps and the jagged, pixelated 2D goodness of the originals... with some optional enhancements that can be selected - if you're into that sort of thing. You can play in 2D or you can play in 3D; you can even switch between them on-the-fly, should you choose. In addition to standard side-scrolling 2D or 3D camera angles, you can choose a secondary view option for each. 3D's alternate camera option is "Crazy Mode" which is, in fact, relatively sane, providing a slightly different angle on things, where the right side of the screen is pushed into the screen a bit, so the enemies are coming toward the screen (a little bit) as they move from right to left. No, the truly crazy mode is the alternate view in the 2D version: "Arcade." This puts the game's screen onscreen on a 3D arcade cabinet. There are two different zoom levels, one being far out enough that you can see most of the cabinet, effectively making the screen quite small. The second zoom level is more like what you would actually see when playing a game on an arcade cabinet: the screen and the surround around the screen that boxes it in. For Arcade Mode, the camera is dynamic, moving when you move the stick around. This doesn't happen in real life, and is quite disconcerting here. This view is quite novel, but it is definitely a "crazy" way to display the game. Personally, I would have preferred to be able to slightly tilt the 2D version ("Crazy"-style), rather than the Arcade antics.

R-Type II is much the same, with improved graphics, 3D cutscenes and more dastardly alien scum to destroy. There are more advanced interactions to be found in R-Type II, such as large motherships that stay onscreen for long periods of time, fighting you as you're both rocketing along. But, if you've played through R-Type, you should be ready, right?

I don't care much for the alarm sound at the title screen, but as soon as you hit a button, you advance to a screen where you select between the two arcade cabinets to choose which game you wish to play, and the music on this screen is pleasant enough. When you actually start a game, you get the original 8-bit soundtrack and sound effects from the game if you're playing in 2D, but there are some filters being applied to the sound depending on which camera you're using; you can hear the audio become more full sounding when you shift from Arcade to Normal view (in 2D). Other than that, the music and sound effects seem to be authentic.

The aspect that most people will remember about R-Type is that it was difficult - insanely so. That same soul-crushing, mind-blowing chaotic monsoon of firepower is anxiously awaiting you here. The idea is simple. Things will scroll from the right to the left, as enemies appear and try to destroy you. They will appear in flight formations, sometimes entering from the left and, occasionally, dislodging themselves from the very environment to attack you. At the end of each stage, you will face a boss, in a boss battle that helped to define what a boss battle was back in the day. You also have an indestructible flying weapons pod thing that you can send out away from you or call back and mount to the front or rear of your ship. This pod can play an important part in survival strategy, since you can use its indestructibility as a makeshift weapon. Throw it through enemies or just keep it fastened to the front or rear of your ship to protect you from gunfire or impact from those sides.

In the Classic Mode, you will have just three lives to attempt to live through this harrowing mission. Good luck.

This release, however, offers some additional features that will help out those whose nostalgia is stronger than their old-school gaming skills. Need help getting through the levels? Have a friend play with you in cooperative local 2-Player Mode.

Did you drag a friend in to help you play your way through only to find that it's still not enough to get you through, but you really want to see the end? Try playing on "Infinite Mode," which allows you to keep fighting on with more and more ships until you finish the game. I made it through with "just" 125 lives. In the arcade, that would have cost me $10.50. On PSN, R-Type Dimensions costs $9.99 USD and you can play as much as you like.

Seriously, R-Type is notoriously difficult, with a whole lot of places that are incredibly difficult (if not impossible) to get through without dying. Shooting the roundish sort of egg-shaped enemies will bag you an upgrade to your firepower, so keep your eyes out for them. Bear in mind, you have to shoot them and then actually make it to where they were to pick up the upgrade, but you will be rewarded with things such as missiles, multi-shot spray, wall-clinging fiery death, ricocheting lasers and other yummy greatness. All of these upgrades actually modify your flying ball-shaped shield-gun-thing.

There are only two things to help you out in this game. Practice, of course, and that ball-shaped pod thing. Well, and a friend, if you play co-op. Okay, so the three things that can help you out are practice, an indestructible egg-gun pod, a friend and Infinite Mode, no that's four. Right. So, among the things that may, in fact, come to your aid in this nightmarish fight against a xenomorphic menace, you may find practice, practice, practice, a gun-toting metal basketball, the new Infinite Mode and that's it.

Oh, wait... hold up! There's another nice little feature that can help you avoid a coronary while playing and, perhaps, prevent you from unwittingly convincing everyone around that you have somehow developed Tourette's: the Slow-Motion button. What's that? You actually are given the ability to slow everything down? Yes, indeed. Mind you, you're slowed down right along with all of the enemies and the scrolling environment, but you'll discover that how fast you're actually able to move isn't likely to be merely as crucial as the amout of time you have to assess and respond to threats. Matrix, eat your heart out.

R-Type Dimensions is an excellent port of R-Type and R-Type II, with authenticity that should please the purists, and optional features that will make the game more accessible to more casual gamers. The 3D graphics and the "Crazy" camera views are nice additions, but the "Arcade" camera view is nigh unplayable, while novel. Xbox 360 gamers had access to this some time ago, but PS3 gamers can now add it to their collections, as well. Ten dollars may be higher than a lot of PSN games out there, but this isn't one game, it's two of the most difficult to beat arcade games in gaming history. What's there to think about? If you like retro side-scrolling shooters, you want R-Type Dimensions.