Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Playthrough of Rayxanber III, Data West’s horizontal shoot ’em up developed and published for the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² in 1992. As the third and final game in the Rayxanber trilogy, it takes the distinctive ideas of its predecessors and finally gives them the balance and polish they needed. Rayxanber II was infamous for its brutal difficulty, but Rayxanber III is considerably more approachable while still providing a demanding, memorization-heavy challenge.
Rating: 8/10
The basic structure remains heavily influenced by R-Type. You guide the ES3 Donner Kyle through six stages filled with biomechanical enemies, narrow passages, environmental hazards and large bosses, with survival often depending on learning enemy placement and knowing where to position yourself before a dangerous section begins.
What separates Rayxanber from many other horizontal shooters is its dash system. Your ship can rapidly accelerate for a short period, with a temperature gauge limiting repeated use. In Rayxanber II this mechanic could feel awkwardly forced into the level design, but here it works much better as an actual evasive tool. Bursting forward or repositioning at the right moment becomes an important part of surviving crowded sections rather than simply another source of frustration.
The weapon system has also been substantially improved. Colored power-ups provide secondary weapons, and their firing direction is determined by their orientation when collected. This adds an unusual tactical element, since grabbing the right weapon while it faces the wrong direction can leave you poorly equipped for what comes next.
The biggest addition is the new universal charge attack. Holding the fire button charges two powerful missiles, which are launched when the button is released. Pressing fire again causes them to break apart into homing projectiles capable of clearing much of the screen. Crucially, this attack remains available even when you have lost your other weapon upgrades, so dying no longer leaves you feeling almost helpless. It gives the combat a satisfying rhythm of firing, charging, dodging and unleashing a heavy attack at the right moment.
Rayxanber III is still difficult, but its challenge is dramatically fairer than its predecessor. Checkpoints are more sensibly placed, weapons are stronger and enemy patterns feel designed around the abilities of your ship. Death still frequently means learning what comes next and trying again, but progress feels achievable rather than exhausting.
Visually, the game is impressive for the PC Engine, with detailed mechanical structures, grotesque organic enemies and several excellent large bosses. The art direction has a strong biomechanical influence, although the frequent use of browns, greys and reds makes some stages less visually varied than those in Rayxanber II. Backgrounds can also be surprisingly sparse in places, with large areas of black space and limited parallax.
The CD soundtrack by Yasuhito Saito is another highlight, providing energetic and atmospheric music that fits the action well. Combined with the detailed sprite work and smooth performance, it gives the game the kind of polished presentation expected from a Super CD-ROM² release.
Rayxanber III does not escape its influences, and anyone familiar with R-Type will recognize the emphasis on tight corridors, memorization and biomechanical imagery. What makes it worthwhile is how successfully Data West combines those influences with its own dash and directional weapon mechanics.
It is relatively short once mastered, but that works in its favor. Rather than stretching its ideas too thin, the six stages provide a focused sequence of increasingly demanding encounters. Rayxanber III may not be quite as immediately spectacular as the very best PC Engine shooters, but it is easily the strongest game in its trilogy and an excellent example of a sequel learning from its predecessor’s mistakes.
For fans of challenging horizontal shoot ’em ups, Rayxanber III is one of the better hidden gems in the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² library: tough, distinctive and considerably more enjoyable than the notoriously unforgiving Rayxanber II.
Playthrough of Rayxanber III, Data West’s horizontal shoot ’em up developed and published for the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² in 1992. As the third and final game in the Rayxanber trilogy, it takes the distinctive ideas of its predecessors and finally gives them the balance and polish they needed. Rayxanber II was infamous for its brutal difficulty, but Rayxanber III is considerably more approachable while still providing a demanding, memorization-heavy challenge.
Rating: 8/10
The basic structure remains heavily influenced by R-Type. You guide the ES3 Donner Kyle through six stages filled with biomechanical enemies, narrow passages, environmental hazards and large bosses, with survival often depending on learning enemy placement and knowing where to position yourself before a dangerous section begins.
What separates Rayxanber from many other horizontal shooters is its dash system. Your ship can rapidly accelerate for a short period, with a temperature gauge limiting repeated use. In Rayxanber II this mechanic could feel awkwardly forced into the level design, but here it works much better as an actual evasive tool. Bursting forward or repositioning at the right moment becomes an important part of surviving crowded sections rather than simply another source of frustration.
The weapon system has also been substantially improved. Colored power-ups provide secondary weapons, and their firing direction is determined by their orientation when collected. This adds an unusual tactical element, since grabbing the right weapon while it faces the wrong direction can leave you poorly equipped for what comes next.
The biggest addition is the new universal charge attack. Holding the fire button charges two powerful missiles, which are launched when the button is released. Pressing fire again causes them to break apart into homing projectiles capable of clearing much of the screen. Crucially, this attack remains available even when you have lost your other weapon upgrades, so dying no longer leaves you feeling almost helpless. It gives the combat a satisfying rhythm of firing, charging, dodging and unleashing a heavy attack at the right moment.
Rayxanber III is still difficult, but its challenge is dramatically fairer than its predecessor. Checkpoints are more sensibly placed, weapons are stronger and enemy patterns feel designed around the abilities of your ship. Death still frequently means learning what comes next and trying again, but progress feels achievable rather than exhausting.
Visually, the game is impressive for the PC Engine, with detailed mechanical structures, grotesque organic enemies and several excellent large bosses. The art direction has a strong biomechanical influence, although the frequent use of browns, greys and reds makes some stages less visually varied than those in Rayxanber II. Backgrounds can also be surprisingly sparse in places, with large areas of black space and limited parallax.
The CD soundtrack by Yasuhito Saito is another highlight, providing energetic and atmospheric music that fits the action well. Combined with the detailed sprite work and smooth performance, it gives the game the kind of polished presentation expected from a Super CD-ROM² release.
Rayxanber III does not escape its influences, and anyone familiar with R-Type will recognize the emphasis on tight corridors, memorization and biomechanical imagery. What makes it worthwhile is how successfully Data West combines those influences with its own dash and directional weapon mechanics.
It is relatively short once mastered, but that works in its favor. Rather than stretching its ideas too thin, the six stages provide a focused sequence of increasingly demanding encounters. Rayxanber III may not be quite as immediately spectacular as the very best PC Engine shooters, but it is easily the strongest game in its trilogy and an excellent example of a sequel learning from its predecessor’s mistakes.
For fans of challenging horizontal shoot ’em ups, Rayxanber III is one of the better hidden gems in the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² library: tough, distinctive and considerably more enjoyable than the notoriously unforgiving Rayxanber II.
