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.
Table of Contents
Video games[edit]
Spin-offs[edit]
Compilations and collections[edit]
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.
Gokujō Parodius Da! Deluxe Pack[edit]
1994 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn
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Gradius Deluxe Pack[edit]
1996 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Windows
Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus[edit]
1997 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Konami GB Collection[edit]
1997,2000 — Game Boy, Game Boy Color
?.
Never released in North America.
Gradius III and IV[edit]
2000 — PlayStation 2
Compilation of Gradius III and Gradius IV.
Includes an introductory CGI sequence.
Released in Japan with the subtitle ~Fukkatsu no Shinwa~ (lit. “Myth of Revival”).
Gradius Collection[edit]
2006 — PlayStation Portable
Parodius Portable[edit]
2007 — PlayStation Portable
Salamander Portable[edit]
2007 — PlayStation Portable
Merchandise[edit]
Gradius Board Game
Parodius Plush, Grape, Purple, Blue and Pirate Penguin
Parodius Da! Pencil Board by Shitajiki
Gradius Portable Cleaner
Otomedius Pillow
Paro Wars the Board Game (1998)
MSX Salamander (Keychain)
Gokujo Parodius (Mini-Notebook and Keychain Issue) from Gacha
Gokujo Parodius (Cards) from Card Jan
Goku Paro Free (極パロフリー, Goku parofurī)
Otomedius Cellphone
Otomedius Pin Aoba Anoa
Gradius Pins
Otomedius Big Doll
Otomedius Keyrings
Otomedius Action Figure
Video collections[edit]
Konami Video Collection Original Game BGV Konami Best Vol.1 — 1987 — VHS
This VHS Contain a TwinBee, Gradius & Contra.
Salamander Game Simulation Video — 1988 — VHS
An expert playthrough of Salamander.
Gradius III Game Simulation Video — 1991 — VHS
An expert playthrough of Gradius III.
King CGV Series Parodius Da! Shinwa Kara Owarai He — 1991 — VHS
Gamest Video Gokujo Parodius! — 1994 — VHS
Gradius V Options — 2004 — DVD
A promotional DVD given away with Gradius V in Japan as a bonus to preordering customers.
Contains interviews with the developers, an expert playthrough of stage five and an image gallery of enemies encountered in the game.
Gradius V Official DVD The Perfect — 2004 — DVD
Contains a complete set of “super-play” videos.
Gradius Breakdown — 2004 — DVD
A promotional DVD released shortly after Gradius V in North America as a preorder bonus.
Contains a series retrospective, enemy database, an interview with the game director and a collection of “super-play” videos.
Printed media[edit]
Gradius Complete Works — 1986 — ISBN 4-576-86067-4
Japanese title: グラディウス 裏ワザ大全集 別巻 (guradiusu urawaza daisenshō)
Gradius: Michi Tono Tatakai — 1986 — ISBN 4-575-76012-9
Released for manga in August 1986 in Japan.
Japanese title: グラディウス―未知との戦い (guradiusu michi tono tatakai)
Gradius Hisshō Kōryaku Hō — 1986 — ISBN 4-575-15044-4
Japanese title: グラディウス 必勝攻略法 (Guradiusu hisshō kōryaku-hō)
Famicom Ryu — 1985-1987 — ISBN 409141141X
Japanese title: ファミ拳リュウ (Famikon Fiuun)
A Japanese manga by Haruo Saito.
Published by Comic Bombom
Gradius, was featuring by Manga.
Nekketsu! Famicom Shounendan — 1986-1987 — ISBN 409141141X
Japanese title: 熱血!ファミコン少年団 (Nekketsu! Famikon Shōnen-dan)
A Japanese manga by Haruo Saito.
Published by Comic Bombom
Gradius, was featuring by Manga.
Gradius II Bible — 1988 — ISBN 4-87655-025-5
Published by Konami.
Japanese title: グラディウスII バイブル (guradiusu II baiburu)
Gradius II Perfect Technique Book — 1989 — ISBN 4-88658-133-1
Japanese title: グラディウス2完全攻略テクニックブック (guradiusu II kanzen kōryaku tekunikku bukku)
Rock’n Game Boy — 1989-1991 — ISBN 4061005871
Japanese title: ロックンゲームボーイ (Rokkun Gēmu Bōi)
A Japanese manga by Shigeto Ikehara.
Published by Comic Bombom
Gradius and Parodius Da!, was featuring by Manga.
Cyber Boy — 1991-1993 — ISBN 4061005871
Japanese title: 電脳ボーイ (Dennou Bōi)
A Japanese manga by Nagai Noriaki.
Published by Comic Bombom
Gradius, was featuring by Manga.
Gokujyō Parodius (1) Namie Iwao — 1995 — ISBN 4-88199-174-4
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