Gradius
グラディウス1991Gradius
グラディウスKonami's horizontal shooter that brought its arcade classic to the PC Engine.
Gradius is Konami's horizontal shooter, first released as an arcade game in 1985. The PC Engine version arrived in Japan in November 1991. You fly the Vic Viper through hostile space and collect power-ups along the way.
| RELEASED IN JAPAN | 15 November 1991 |
|---|---|
| ARCADE ORIGINAL | 1985 |
| MAKER | Konami |
| PLAYERS | One |
You fire along a horizontal screen, and destroyed enemies drop pick-ups. Each pick-up moves a cursor along a weapon bar at the bottom of the screen.
You decide when to take the highlighted item, so you can save up for a better weapon.
The series calls this kind of selection a power meter.
The series uses a space setting with the Vic Viper as its main ship.
The PC Engine release is a conversion of the 1985 arcade game.
Gradius became one of the best-known shooter lines from Japan. The series went on to many ports and sequels.
Its spin-offs include the Game Boy game Nemesis, and the original reached the NES.
A PlayStation Portable compilation brings Gradius I to IV together.
Gradius was one of the early Konami arcade shooters on the console. Severe slowdown can disrupt play, which is part of its record on the machine.
- The Vic Viper is also a playable ship in Parodius.
- The arcade Gradius introduced the weapon bar, which turned weapon choice into a player decision.
- The Gradius name covers arcade, MSX, Game Boy and home console releases.
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