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. [strider_mt2k]

   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!

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

2. [styrofoam]

   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. [A New Challenger]

   @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. [A New Challenger]

   D’oh, meant “Atlus.”

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

5. [jennfrank]

   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. [jwz]

   But I just want the toy!

7. [pasq242]

   @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.