A port of 1994's Super NES game, R-Type III for Game Boy Advance straps players into a prototype spacecraft called the R-90 in a suicidal mission to stop the evil Bvdo Empire. The action takes place from a side-scrolling perspective as players learn to use their vessel's detachable force pod for offensive and defensive support. Three different types of force pods can be collected during the journey, including Round, Shadow, and Cyclone variants. Each force pod offers distinct attributes represented by the following three colors: red, yellow, and blue. Depending on the color, players will be able to activate reflective lasers, guide lasers, splash lasers, and other forms of attack. The game consists of seven stages that will take players through such locales as a space factory, foundry, bioorganic lair, and garbage dump. Along the way players must avoid crushing walls, laser turrets, and other hazards while preparing for a boss encounter at the end of each level.