Similar to older R-Type games, this one lets the player choose from four distictive ships. The classic R-9A Delta which is a slight refinement of the original R9. Uses the Standard Force and an improvement over the Spiral Motion Gun that was introduced in R-Type II. The R9A's Delta Attack is the Nuclear Catastrophe, which fills the screen with electrical fusion. The experimental R-X Albatross which is a violet-canopied fighter with prominent wings. The Albatross uses the Tentacle Force, which has two extendable tentacles on either side and is equipped with powerful beam weapons. The tentacles respond to the movement of the player, which allows the intensity or direction of beams to be controlled. In addition, the Force, when detached, will seek out enemies on screen as an automated gun turret. The Albatross is also fitted with the Burst Shock Wave Cannon, which is capable of detonating enemies from within ( In 'Final' the Burst Shock Wave Cannon is renamed the Shock Wave Cannon.) Its Delta Attack is the Negative Corridor, which is a black hole that distorts the screen while vacuuming enemies present. The highly technological R-13 Cerberus which is a squat black-and-red fighter. The Cerberus uses the Anchor Force, which is linked to the ship by a malleable energy ribbon that can be used to attack enemies with the movement of the ship. The Force can collect its Dosage by grappling into enemies and absorb their energy until they are destroyed. The Cerberus is also fitted with the Lightning Wave Cannon, which emits a fast electrical discharge that homes in on enemies. The R-13's Delta Attack is the Hysteric Dawn, which opens up a dimensional rift. And the versitle POW Armor which is a Fighter unlocked by beating the game in Medium Mode or Hard Mode. It closely resembles the POW units that contain various power ups. The POW Armor's Wave Cannon fires various energy bolts that, depending on the charge level, appear as Bydo characters seen in other installments of the series. Firing the cannon while it is supercharged results in a large, wedge formation of energy bolts comprising the whole range of the cannons' capabilities. The Force has spikes covering it, and looks to resemble the Standard Force. When disconnected from the ship, only a few directions are covered at the first power level, but as the force levels up, it will eventually fire a continuous stream of bullets in a clock-wise 360 degree arc. The fighter's Delta Attack is a more powerful version of its Wave Cannon bursts, accompanied by ribbons of energy. The weapons are similar to the R-9 with slight changes as the red RAY is fired like a heart monitor, the blue RAY fires the same way but with more beams. Each Dose Attack reflects the differences in each ship.The game introduced the Dose System, which allows Forces to absorb energy through collisions with projectiles or enemies. Every Force has a Dose Gauge, and when the Dosage becomes 100%, the player can use the fighter's Delta Attack, a superweapon attack whose form depends on the fighter being used.