Review of [Nintendo Switch] Rendering Ranger: R2 [Rewind]

Rendering Ranger: R2 [Rewind], a collaboration between Ziggurat and Limited Run Games, is now available on Nintendo Switch. Dive into our detailed review of this nostalgic title!

Originally crafted by Rainbow Arts and brought to the Japanese audience by Virgin Interactive back in 1995, Rendering Ranger: R2 was an elusive gem, with only 10,000 Super Famicom copies ever produced. Such scarcity made it a coveted piece among collectors. Now, it finally greets the Western audience thanks to Limited Run Games, which has also rolled out pre-orders for nostalgic SNES cartridges alongside modern physical editions for Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.

As you explore this revitalized classic, the influence of Manfred Trenz will show. The creative force behind the beloved Turrican series, Trenz’s signature style bleeds through the game’s design, delivering that familiar nostalgic punch. Set in the year 2025, we’ve waited long enough to enjoy this unique blend of action-platformer and shoot ’em up on Nintendo’s hybrid console. This edition includes the original Rendering Ranger: R2 and Targa, the intended name for the game’s North American and PAL debut. The Targa iteration was initially meant to flaunt hand-drawn visuals, but plans shifted towards the now-iconic pre-rendered graphics after drawing inspiration from the popular Donkey Kong Country. Thus, the iconic name change to Rendering Ranger: R2 was born.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves stepping into the shoes of R2, the stand-out soldier within the elite Rendering Ranger forces. Your objective? Foil an extraterrestrial offensive threatening our planet! This game blends 2D action across nine elaborately designed levels, reminiscent of Turrican, with horizontal shoot ’em up stages. Mastery over the diverse weapon arsenal is essential. Understanding enemy tactics paves the way to vanquishing bosses in intense climactic battles.

To maneuver R2, the controls are your typical mix of intuitive and strategic inputs. Move using the left analog stick or D-Pad, jump with the B button, and fire with the Y button. The A button switches weapons, while spaceship escapades intricately weave between using B for maneuvering and X for unleashing devastating mega weapons.

In the shoot ’em up scenarios, picking up diverse armaments keeps you strategically versatile. From the expansive Vulcan Shot to the rebounding Mirror Shot, each weapon bolsters your offensive options. Mega weapons like the Radial Bomb, unleashing explosions in all directions, and the fiery precision of the Fire Scythe ensure you’re always armed for adversity. Color-coded power capsules amplify your standard weaponry’s might, and strategic planning will have you dominating enemies in no time.

Return to the timeless depths of gaming history with Rendering Ranger: R2 [Rewind], a title reimagined and accessible for the modern audience through its debut on the Nintendo Switch. Engage in epic battles with the option to correct any missteps using the new rewind feature with a quick press of the ZL button and save at any moment for seamless playthroughs. This classic is carved into the gaming archives once more, awaiting eager players.

This review has been penned from hands-on gameplay on a Nintendo Switch, courtesy of a copy provided by Ziggurat.