Hex-based TBS SHMUP has the awesomest pre-order bonus

The latest entry in the classic R-Type series of SHMUPs, R-Type Command for the PSP, has caught my attention by being some sort of crazy turn-based-strategy SHMUP hybrid, in which you dodge your ships past the bullet curtains of plasma-spraying alien bosses through a hex-grid. But even if that hadn't, this fantastic scale model R-Type ship that is coming as a pre-order bonus from Amazon would push the game to the top of my 'anticipated' list. How awesome is that? I'm pre-ordering, attaching a loop of fishing line and turning it into a Christmas tree ornament. The awesomest one.

R-Type Command pre-order bonus is awesome [PSP Fanboy]

[#1 posted by strider_mt2k , May 1, 2008 6:08 AM]

Can't argue with you there! It's really very nice!

Hey, if my wife and I can leave a select number of Hallmark Star Wars/Star Trek/Firefly Ornaments on display all the time then certainly this one can do double duty as an ornament! :D

Heck, our whole tree is pretty much all that stuff, with more every year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRXJVaQ3saQ

:D

[#2 posted by styrofoam , May 1, 2008 7:22 AM]

Those things above and below the R-Type look like Options, but I think I'm mixing and matching R-type and Gradius. Does r-type have the same kind of power-up satellite mechanics?

[#3 posted by A New Challenger , May 1, 2008 10:01 AM]

@Styrofoam:

Yeah, R-Type has option-like things above and below the ship. You only get 2, though, and they only provide defense (shot blocking) unless you have a particular one of the 3 weapons. They can also damage enemies on contact. At least, that's how it is in the first game. R-Type Final has so many ships that there are more exceptions to this rule than not.

I don't even have a PSP and I just preordered this. Probably not a bad idea even without the bonus, as it's being published by Atlas.

[#4 posted by A New Challenger , May 1, 2008 10:05 AM]

D'oh, meant "Atlus."

Anyway, here's some more shmuppy gashapon for ya:
http://www.ncsx.com/2007/121007/shooting_game_historica.htm

[#5 posted by jennfrank , May 1, 2008 10:38 AM]

Re: dude above me - Yes, yes, yes! A former coworker lined his cubicle wall with said gashapon, and they are every bit as detailed and tiny and adorable as photos suggest. I would frequently drop by and ask him to remind me "which one's from Galaga, dude?" I think he wanted to strangle me.

[#6 posted by jwz , May 1, 2008 11:49 AM]

But I just want the toy!

[#7 posted by pasq242 , May 1, 2008 1:57 PM]

@6:

You can pre-order volume 2 of Shooting Game Historica here:

http://www.shopncsx.com/shootinggamehistoricavol2.aspx

You may still be able to find volume 1 on eBay.

I ordered five of these and got three Silver Hawks. I still covet R-9 goodness.

@2:

They're bits. depending on the type and ship, they do different things. God I loved R-Type Final; it was like Pokemon for shooting fanatics.