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Rendering Ranger R2 Rewind Review – Is This Rare SNES Gem Worth Playing Today?

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If you’re diving into Rendering Ranger R2 Rewind Review, this rare SNES shooter delivers a thrilling blend of fast-paced gunplay, challenging platforming, and intense boss battles. With visually stunning 16-bit graphics, an electrifying soundtrack, and modern enhancements like rewind functionality and customizable gameplay settings, this PlayStation 5 release breathes new life into a forgotten classic. But does its relentless difficulty and nostalgic charm make it a must-play, or is it a relic best left in the past? Let’s find out in this Rendering Ranger R2 Rewind Review.

Rendering Ranger R2 Rewind Review Pros:

  • Awesome 16-bit graphics.
  • 452.7MB download size.
  • Platinum trophy.
  • Scans of the original US and Japanese manuals.
  • Has scans of the original box and box art, along with original RR2 artworks.
  • A full music player for each track in the game.
  • Two games on one – Rendering Ranger R2 Rewind and the PAL version of the game Targa.
  • Fun fact – the original game only had 10,000 copies printed, making it a very rare game.
  • Originally on the SNES.
  • Three game difficulties – Easy, Normal, and Hard.
  • A handful of player color choices.
  • Auto fire can be set to on or off.
  • Local leaderboard.
  • Lives can be set from anywhere between 3 and 7.
  • Overall menu for both games that has –
    • Screen size – native/fullscreen/wide/4:3.
    • Filter off and CRT.
    • Border – off or the choice of three artworks.
    • Reset game.
    • Load game.
    • Save game.
  • The game supports rewind.
  • Run and gun gameplay.
  • Full eight-way directional shooting.
  • Pick up power-ups to change your gun style and bullet spread.
  • The health bar system, and you can pick up health.
  • Fantastic atmosphere and soundtrack.
  • 2D game World with animated backgrounds that look really good.
  • The games have a fair bit of platforming to them.
  • Actions in Rendering Ranger R2 Rewind are – shoot, jump, mega weapon, and weapon change.
  • The games are difficult even on the easy difficulty.
  • End of level boss battles.
  • Fantastic fun to play.
  • You can go back to swap games from the overall menu.

Rendering Ranger R2 Rewind Review Cons:

  • Difficult game even in easy.
  • Seeing the platforms can be tricky.
  • Gunfire in the background also looks like Gunfire on the field, so it’s hard to know what will hit you.
  • Boss fights are big bullet sponges and don’t offer a lot in the way of variety.
  • No real history menus or anything in terms of the games.

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Rendering Ranger R2 Rewind:

Official website.

Developer: Limited Run Games

Publisher: Ziggurat Interactive

Store Links – 

PlayStation

  • 8/10
    Graphics - 8/10
  • 8/10
    Sound - 8/10
  • 7/10
    Accessibility - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Length - 7/10
  • 8/10
    Fun Factor - 8/10
7.6/10

Summary

Rendering Ranger R2 Rewind is a celebration of classic 16-bit gaming, delivering visually stunning pixel art alongside run-and-gun gameplay that stays true to its origins. This release bundles both the original SNES version of Rendering Ranger R2 and its PAL counterpart, Targa, offering players a nostalgic deep dive into a rare gem, one that initially saw only 10,000 copies printed. With vibrant, animated 2D backgrounds, a fantastic soundtrack, and a full music player to relive every track, the game captures the essence of retro gaming while giving players modern comforts.

The robust settings menu allows customization of screen sizes, filters, borders, and even rewind functionality, making it easier to tackle the notoriously challenging gameplay. Featuring three difficulty settings—Easy, Normal, and Hard—*Rendering Ranger R2 Rewind* maintains its tough-as-nails reputation, even for those seeking a more forgiving experience. Players can fine-tune their approach with selectable character colors, auto-fire toggles, and adjustable lives between 3 and 7. A local leaderboard fuels replayability, while end-level boss fights promise intense showdowns, even if some enemies feel more like bullet sponges than thrilling encounters.

Gunplay is sharp, offering full eight-way directional shooting, weapon pickups to modify firepower, and a health bar system that allows for strategic recovery. Platforming elements add variety, but visibility challenges can make navigating levels tricky. Additionally, gunfire effects in the background sometimes blend with foreground hazards, leading to moments of frustrating ambiguity. While the game delivers excellent action sequences, it lacks deeper historical content or archival menus that could further enrich the experience for newcomers and longtime fans alike.

Despite its challenges, Rendering Ranger R2 Rewind remains a joy to play. Whether battling through pixel-perfect environments or revisiting the original manuals and box art included in this package, players will find themselves engrossed in a game that blends nostalgia with engaging mechanics.

A rare relic revived—a high-speed, high-impact throwback that refuses to be forgotten!

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!