Gradius is a video game series created by Japanese game designer Machiguchi Hiroyasu and published by Konami. The series debuted in arcades with Gradius in March 1985, renamed Nemesis for international versions. Games in the series have been released for several platforms, including arcade hardware, home video game consoles, handheld systems and mobile phones. The Gradius franchise consists of 16 games, including spin-offs, home conversions and compilations, as well as other forms of media such as toys, manga, soundtrack albums and literature. The series has been seen by critics as important and influential for the shoot'em up genre, inspiring games such as R-Type , Thunder Force and Darius , as well as setting the template for horizontal-scrolling shooters as a whole. It is Konami's most successful shooter series and one of the company's core franchises.
Gameplay in the series remains relatively consistent throughout each installment: players assume the role of a starship called the Vic Viper in its efforts to vanquish the Bacterian army before they destroy the planet Gradius. Being a horizontal-scrolling shooter, the player must destroy enemies and avoid both them and their projectiles. Some enemies leave behind power capsules when destroyed, which can be used to select one of seven different weapons on the player's "power meter", and collecting more of them will give access to stronger, more durable weapons. Common elements throughout the series include enemy "Moai" statues, additional playable ships, and boss rush segments.
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1985 – Arcade Famicom 2003 – Mobile |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1986 – Arcade Famicom |
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| Release years by system: 1987 – MSX |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1988 – Arcade Famicom |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1988 – MSX |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1989 – Arcade |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1990 – Nintendo Game Boy |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1991 – Nintendo Game Boy |
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| Release years by system: 1996 – Arcade |
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| Release years by system: 1997 – PlayStation |
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| Release years by system: 1999 – Arcade |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 2001 – Game Boy Advance |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 2004 – PlayStation 2 |
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| Release years by system: 2004 – Japanese mobile phones |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2004 – [1] Japanese mobile phones |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 2008 – Wii |
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| Release years by system: 1987 – Famicom Disk System |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1988 - MSX 2006 - Mobile Phone 2010 - Wii Virtual Console 2013 - Wii U Virtual Console 2014 - Project EGG (Windows PC) |
Notes: Parody of the Gradius series. |
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| Release years by system: 1989 - Redemption game |
Notes: A redemption game of the Gradius series. |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1989 – Nintendo Entertainment System |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1990 - Arcade |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1994 - Arcade |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1995 - Super Famicom |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1996 - Arcade 1997 - PlayStation, Sega Saturn |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1997 - PlayStation |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1997 – Arcade |
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| Release years by system: 1998 – Pachislot |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2000 – Pachinko |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2004 – Pachinko |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2006 – Pachinko |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2007 – Arcade, Xbox 360 |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2010 – Japanese mobile phones |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2010 – Pachislot |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 2011 – Xbox 360 |
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| Release years by system: 2011 – Pachislot |
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The Gradius games have spawned a number of sequels. Being a prominent series in the shoot 'em up genre, the titles have become classics and thus have been repackaged and rebundled in several versions. These releases contain extra features and bonuses such as enhanced artwork, expanded soundtracks, and story materials.
1994 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn
1996 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Windows
1997 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn
1997,2000 — Game Boy, Game Boy Color
2000 — PlayStation 2
2006 — PlayStation Portable
2007 — PlayStation Portable
2007 — PlayStation Portable
Konami Video Collection Original Game BGV Konami Best Vol.1 — 1987 — VHS
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Salamander — 1988 — VHS
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Salamander Game Simulation Video — 1988 — VHS
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Gradius III Game Simulation Video — 1991 — VHS
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King CGV Series Parodius Da! Shinwa Kara Owarai He — 1991 — VHS |
Gamest Video Gokujo Parodius! — 1994 — VHS |
Gradius V Options — 2004 — DVD |
Gradius V Official DVD The Perfect — 2004 — DVD
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Gradius Breakdown — 2004 — DVD |
Gradius Complete Works — 1986 — ISBN 4-576-86067-4
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Gradius: Michi Tono Tatakai — 1986 — ISBN 4-575-76012-9
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Gradius Hisshō Kōryaku Hō — 1986 — ISBN 4-575-15044-4
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Famicom Ryu — 1985-1987 — ISBN 409141141X
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Nekketsu! Famicom Shounendan — 1986-1987 — ISBN 409141141X
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Gradius II Bible — 1988 — ISBN 4-87655-025-5
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Gradius II Perfect Technique Book — 1989 — ISBN 4-88658-133-1
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Rock'n Game Boy — 1989-1991 — ISBN 4061005871
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Cyber Boy — 1991-1993 — ISBN 4061005871
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Gokujyō Parodius (1) Namie Iwao — 1995 — ISBN 4-88199-174-4
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Gradius Portable Official Guide — 2006 — ISBN 4-86155-111-0
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Shūtingugēmusaido Vol. 2 (Gēmusaido bukkusu) — 2011 — ISBN 4-86155-111-0
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Konami Book: "The Legend of Konami — 2012 — ISBN 4-86155-111-0
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Original Sound of Gradius & Salamander: Battle Music Collection — 1987 — Compact disc
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The Konamic Game Freaks — 1987 — Compact Disc
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Beep Magazine Vol.3 - Konami Game Music Sono Sheet — 1987 — Compact Disc
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SUITE GRADIUS Fantasia — 1988 — Cassette
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Space Odyssey Gradius II ~GOFER no Yabou~ — 1988 — Cassette
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Konami Game Music Special — 1988 — Compact Disc |
Konami Famicom Music Memorial Best Vol.1 — 1989 — Compact Disc
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Konami Special Music Senryoubako — 1990 — Compact Disc
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Kukeiha Club — 1990 — Compact Disc
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Gradius III — 1990 — Compact Disc
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Perfect Selection Gradius — 1991 — Compact Disc
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Perfect Selection Gradius — 1991 — Compact Disc
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Perfect Selection Gradius Part 2 — 1992 — Compact Disc
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Konami All-Stars 1993~Yume no Music Station — 1992 — Compact Disc
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MIDI Power X68000 Collection ver 3.0 — 1993 — Compact Disc
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Konami GM Hits Factory II — 1993 — Compact Disc
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Gradius In Classic I & II — 1993 — Compact Disc
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PERFECT SELECTION KONAMI SHOOTING BATTLE II — 1995 — Compact Disc
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Salamander 2 Original Game Soundtrack — 1996 — Compact Disc
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Gradius Gaiden Original Game Soundtrack — 1997 — Compact Disc
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Konami MSX Super Best Antiques — 1998 — Cassette
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Gradius IV Fukkatsu Original Game Soundtrack — 1999 — Compact disc
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Konami Game Music Vol.1 — 2000 — Compact Disc
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Gradius Arcade Soundtrack — 2002 — Compact Disc
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Salamander Arcade Soundtrack — 2003 — Compact Disc
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Konami Music Masterpiece Collection — 2004 — Compact Disc
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Gradius V Soundtracks — 2004 — Compact Disc
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UNDER THE BLUE SKY ~include GRADIUS arrange~ — 2005 — Compact Disc
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Legend of Game Music ~Premium Box~ — 2005 — Compact Disc
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Gradius Tribute — 2006 — Compact Disc
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Konami Addiction ~For Electro Lovers~ — 2008 — Compact Disc
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GRADIUS house ReMix — 2009 — Compact Disc
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GRADIUS THE SLOT ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK — 2011 — Compact Disc
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KONAMI SHOOTING COLLECTION — 2011 — Compact Disc
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FALSION SOUNDTRACKS — 2014 — Compact Disc
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Gradius is a side-scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Konami. The first game in the Gradius series, it was originally released as a coin-operated arcade game in 1985. The player maneuvers a spacecraft known as the Vic Viper that must defend itself from the various alien enemies. The game uses a power-up system called the "power meter", based upon collecting capsules to purchase additional weapons.
TwinBee (ツインビー) is a video game series composed primarily of cartoon-themed vertical-scrolling shoot-'em-up games produced by Konami that were released primarily in Japan. The series originated as a coin-operated video game simply titled TwinBee in 1985, which was followed by several home versions and sequels. The character designs of almost every game in the series since Detana!! TwinBee in 1991 were provided by Japanese animator Shuzilow HA, who also planned and supervised most of the subsequent installments in the TwinBee series. The series also inspired a radio drama adaptation that lasted three seasons in Japan, as well as an anime adaptation.
Salamander, retitled Life Force in North America and in the Japanese arcade re-release, is a scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published by Konami. Released in 1986 as a spin-off of Gradius, Salamander introduced a simplified power-up system, two-player cooperative gameplay and both horizontally and vertically scrolling stages. Some of these later became normal for future Gradius games. In Japanese, the title is written using ateji, which are kanji used for spelling foreign words that has been supplanted in everyday use by katakana. Contra, another game by Konami was also given this treatment, with its title written in Japanese as 魂斗羅.
Parodius is a series of cute 'em ups developed and published by Konami. The games are tongue-in-cheek parodies of Gradius, and also feature characters from many other Konami franchises.
Jikkyō Oshaberi Parodius is the fourth game in the Parodius franchise, a series of parody shooters produced by Konami. The gameplay is stylistically very similar to the Gradius series, but the graphics and music are intentionally absurd. The game contains a large number of Japanese voice samples shouted out in a style similar to that of a game show host. Unlike the previous two titles, Jikkyō Oshaberi Parodius was not created as an arcade game. It was first released on the Super Famicom in 1995 and then ported and updated for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1996.
Sexy Parodius is a 1996 horizontal-scrolling shooter arcade game developed by Konami. It is the fifth installment of the Parodius series. Like the rest of the series, it is a parody of the Gradius series and other Konami games. It also contains sexual level and enemy designs, as well as risqué innuendo. Many level bosses are women in various erotic costumes or various states of undress.
Gradius is a series of shooter video games, introduced in 1985, developed and published by Konami for a variety of portable, console and arcade platforms. In many games in the series, the player controls a ship known as the Vic Viper.
Gradius II is a side-scrolling shooter game developed and published by Konami. Originally released for the arcades in Japan in 1988, it is the sequel to original Gradius and was succeeded by Gradius III. Ports of Gradius II were released for the Family Computer, PC-Engine Super CD-ROM², and the X68000 in Japan. The original arcade version is also included in the Gradius Deluxe Pack compilation for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn and in Gradius Collection for the PlayStation Portable.
Parodius! From Myth to Laughter, released in Japan as Parodius Da! Shinwa kara Owarai e and outside Japan as Parodius, is a shoot 'em up arcade video game and the second title in the Parodius series produced by Konami. The European SNES, Sega Saturn and PlayStation versions are also known as Parodius: Non-Sense Fantasy. The gameplay is stylistically very similar to the Gradius series, but the graphics and music are intentionally absurd.
Parodius: The Octopus Saves the Earth, also known as Parodius, is a scrolling shooter video game developed by Konami for the MSX computer and was released in Japan. The game is notable for being the first title in the Parodius series, although it is often confused with its sequel Parodius! From Myth to Laughter. The name itself is a portmanteau of "Gradius" and "Parody" and, eponymously, the game is a parody of the Gradius series of space-based horizontally scrolling shooters. Many of the characters and enemies are derived from that famous shooter series, while other elements are extracted from other Konami titles, such as Antarctic Adventure and TwinBee. This game is of particular note in the series as being heavily infused with Japanese culture and folklore.
Gokujō Parodius ~Kako no Eikō o Motomete~, translated as Gokujo Parodius – Pursuing the Past Glory and also known as Fantastic Journey, is a 1994 side-scrolling shooter arcade game developed and published by Konami. It is the third entry in their Parodius series, itself a parody spin-off of their Gradius series.
Wai Wai World 2: SOS!! Parsley Jō is a 1991 Famicom platform game released only in Japan by Konami. It is a sequel to Konami Wai Wai World, and stars various Konami characters. It was also re-released for the Wii U Virtual Console on September 2, 2015 in Japan.
Salamander 2 is a 1996 horizontally scrolling shooter arcade video game developed and published in Japan by Konami. It is the direct sequel to Salamander (1986) and the third game in the Salamander series, which itself is a spin-off of the Gradius franchise. Up to two players control two starships — the Vic Viper and the Super Cobra — as they must destroy the alien race Doom before they wipe out all of the planet Gradius. Gameplay involves shooting down enemies, collecting power-up items, and avoiding collision with projectiles or obstacles.
Gradius Gaiden is a 1997 horizontal-scrolling shooter video game developed and published for the PlayStation by Konami. Players control one of four different starships in their mission to eradicate the Bacteria army from destroying the planet Gradius. Gameplay involves shooting down enemies, avoiding their projectiles, and collecting power capsules to unlock access to new weapons. It is the fourth mainline entry in the company's Gradius franchise, and the second to be produced specifically for a home console.
Konami Antiques MSX Collection is a series of compilations of MSX computer games released by Konami in Japan. The compilation was split between three volumes for the PlayStation between 1997 and 1998, each containing ten games. All thirty games were later compiled onto a single disc for the Konami Antiques MSX Collection Ultra Pack on the Sega Saturn in 1998.
Otomedius is a side-scrolling shooter video game by Konami which features personification of space fighters from various Konami games. The game's title is a pun, being a portmanteau of the terms "Otome" and "Gradius", with a set of equipment resembling space fighters from Gradius.
Gradius III is a 1989 scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Konami, originally released for the arcades in Japan and other parts of Asia on December 11, 1989. It is the third game in the Gradius series. The game was ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan in 1990 and North America in 1991, and served as a launch title for the system in North America. The arcade version would never see the light of day in the West until it was included alongside Gradius IV in a two-in-one compilation for the PlayStation 2 and in the Gradius Collection for the PlayStation Portable.
Nemesis 2 is a side-scrolling shoot 'em up video game released for the MSX computer in 1987 by Konami. The game is a sequel to Nemesis, the MSX version of Gradius, but is unrelated to the arcade game Gradius II. This version was ported to the X68000 computer under the name Nemesis '90 Kai, with some graphical and aural enhancements.
Detana TwinBee Yahho! Deluxe Pack is a 1995 two-in-one video game compilation developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. It is the second Deluxe Pack release following Gokujō Parodius Da! Deluxe Pack, which included both Parodius Da! and Gokujo Parodius. Part of the TwinBee series, it includes the original arcade versions of both Detana!! TwinBee and TwinBee Yahho!. In both games, players assume the role of Light and Pastel taking control of TwinBee and WinBee to defeat invading forces of the evil alien Iva and Archduke Nonsense to save planet Meru and the Land of Wonders island after receiving an SOS message sent by princess Melora and Queen Melody.