Retro Bit and Limited Run Games Tease More After R-Type DX Drop
Limited Run Games and Retro Bit have signaled that R-Type DX is only the start. The publishers revealed the Game Boy Color shooter as the first of several titles planned in their partnership, with pre-orders open through Nov. 1, 2026.
Limited Run Games, a premium publisher of physical video games, announced the R-Type DX cartridge on Sept. 16 in partnership with Retro Bit. The announcement did not name the other titles in the planned lineup.
R-Type DX Cartridge Packs Five Game Modes
R-Type DX was originally developed by Bits Studios in 1999 for the Game Boy Color. The studio had earlier ported R-Type and R-Type II to the Game Boy, where both titles launched to great critical acclaim.
The physical release packs five modes: R-Type and R-Type II in classic monochrome, color-enhanced versions of both games and the exclusive R-Type DX Mode. The monochrome versions play on both original Game Boy and Game Boy Color hardware.
R-Type DX Mode merges both games into a single campaign with on-the-fly checkpoint battery saves. That mode and the color-enhanced versions play on Game Boy Color only.
The game ships on a special “Cosmic Cartridge” in a deluxe, numbered hard-cover package featuring artwork by anime artist Paul “Otaking” Johnson. A full-color instruction manual is also included.
R-Type DX Soundtrack Arrives on CD and Vinyl
Limited Run Games also announced the R-Type DX Original Soundtrack on CD and vinyl LP. The releases come through its music publishing arm, ClariceDisc, as the company continues its partnerships with Irem and City Connection.
WASi303 (Masato Ishizaki) and Masahiko Ishida composed the soundtrack, with original Game Boy audio arranged by David Whittaker. It has 33 tracks: 19 arranged tracks from R-Type DX: Music Encore and 14 original Game Boy BGM tracks.
The CD includes a full-color booklet with exclusive cover art by Johnson and an exclusive interview with producer Nobuhiro Yoshikawa. The vinyl is a 12-inch LP in Cosmic Vinyl, with Music Encore on Side A and original BGM on Side B.
The vinyl comes in a collector gatefold jacket with the producer interview insert. Fans can pre-order through the Limited Run Games website through Nov. 1, 2026. More releases are planned with Retro Bit.
