Side scrolling space shooters are one of the most addictive games out there. It is also a great game of skill as you try to manipulate through a levels where enemies could be shooting at you from the top, middle and bottom. The action can get really frenetic!

Now, Xbox gamers can get the chance to play one of the best side scrolling shooters of all time as Microsoft releases the classic R-Type and R-Type II through Xbox Live. Both games are being bundled together for 1200 MS points, but I think you might still be able to get the special deal where the games are sold for a discounted price of just 800 MS points.

So what can you expect from R-Type and R-Type II? You get to play 14 stages in the original 2D graphics or the beefed up 3d version. The cool thing is that you can swap the graphics on the fly, which is actually quite an innovative approach to retro gaming. There’s also a multiplayer mode for added gaming fun.