Overview
Irem shaped arcade gaming with technical innovation and uncompromising difficulty. Moon Patrol pioneered parallax scrolling. R-Type perfected the horizontal shooter with its force pod mechanic and oppressive alien designs. Their games demanded precision and rewarded dedication, defining what hardcore arcade experiences meant.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1974 (as IPM).
- Location: Japan.
- Renamed: Irem (1979).
- Specialty: Arcade shooters.
Key titles
| Title |
Year |
Innovation |
| Moon Patrol |
1982 |
Parallax scrolling |
| Kung-Fu Master |
1984 |
Beat-em-up template |
| R-Type |
1987 |
Force pod mechanic |
| R-Type II |
1989 |
Sequel refinement |
| In the Hunt |
1993 |
Submarine shooter |
R-Type legacy
| Element |
Impact |
| Force pod |
Detachable weapon system |
| Bydo Empire |
Iconic alien designs |
| Difficulty |
Memorisation-based |
| Influence |
Shooter benchmark |
Technical achievements
| Innovation |
Game |
| Parallax scrolling |
Moon Patrol |
| Large sprites |
R-Type |
| Detailed animation |
Kung-Fu Master |
| Atmospheric design |
In the Hunt |
Home conversions
| Platform |
Quality |
| PC Engine |
Excellent R-Type ports |
| Master System |
Capable versions |
| SNES |
R-Type III (exclusive) |
Company changes
| Period |
Status |
| 1979 |
Renamed to Irem |
| 1994 |
Exited arcade market |
| 1997 |
Restructured |
| Present |
Pachinko focus |
See also