Now, if all you want is a recreation of the past fantasy that was R-Type, you can always go out and buy R-Types, but consider that this game has not one, but three types of ship, bigger and better opposition, and a new challenge. It's enough to make your mouth water if you're an R-Type fan, and boy, is it hard. After a week of solid playing, FG still can't get past level three on normal mode. This game is one that will last and last.

Although it takes no advantage of the analogue control now available on the PlayStation, (a bit of a shame since the digital controls of your ship could do with that precision), it does make full use of the dual shock pad's twin vibration system. It really feels as though you're restraining unadulterated power as you wait to unleash your pulse weapon.

Even if you're a seasoned shoot 'em upper, Irem have imbued their creation with enough intrigue to tempt you in and keep you hooked - that elusive, 'addictive' quality kept us glued 'til we found out just what the next level's antagonists were like.

You'll need a PlayStation capable of playing import games to be able to make use of this since R-Type Delta is currently only available in Japanese, like SquareSoft's EinHänder. If you can get hold of it, do so. The rest of you will just have to wait a bit longer…