Gradius
- This article concerns the series as a whole. For the first entry in the series, see Gradius (arcade game).
The Gradius series, first introduced in 1985, is a series of scrolling shooter video games published by Konami for a variety of portable, console and arcade platforms, and has since its inception become synonymous with the phrase "Shoot the core!" [citation needed]. In every game in the series, the player controls a ship known as the Vic Viper.
Recurring gameplay elements
There are several gameplay elements that are common to almost all the Gradius games. These include, but are not limited to:
Power meter
One of the defining characteristics of the Gradius series is the use of a power meter. The power meter is powered by a power-up item, whose purpose, when collected, is to move a highlight to the next power-up on the power meter. When a power-up that the player wants becomes highlighted, they may activate it, causing the highlight to move back to the beginning again.
To continue the Gradius example: when the player collects a power-up item for the first time, the first power-up (a speed increase) becomes highlighted.
The player may now activate this power-up to increase their speed, in which case the meter will revert to its original unhighlighted state. If, however, the player does not activate the power-up, and collects another power-up item, the highlight moves to the next item, a missile.
The player may now activate this to receive a missile weapon, again causing the bar to revert to its unhighlighted state, or choose to hold out for the next item, a double gun. Traditionally, the power-ups with greater effects are placed toward the end of the bar, so that the player must do more work to obtain them, although in some titles like Gradius III a harmful power-up exists at the end which will restore the default (weak) weapon configuration.
Other games using a similar power meter include Contra Force by Konami, Slap Fight by Toaplan, and Rare's Cobra Triangle.
Weapon edit
Weapon edit, first introduced in Gradius III, allows players to construct a custom weapon route from the basic categories, such as missile and laser, and replace these accordingly with a variation of a weapon of their choice.
Core warships
The concept of the "Core" is a central part of Gradius. Cores are usually blue, glowing masses of energy hidden within large warships and protected by a series of barriers. All cores must be targeted in order to defeat a warship, which normally comprises several phases and often uses the terrain to its advantage. Additionally, the announcer taunts the player to "Destroy the core!" prior to an encounter - a feature that has since become a trademark of the series.
Moai
For reasons unknown, the famous Moai statues appears as enemies in the first game. They are mounted on either side of the ground (which are flat free-floating platforms) and fire a series of colorful rings at the Vic Viper. The weak point is at the mouth, when open. Because they face at an angle or lie flat on the ground, the up-facing Moai are best destroyed with missiles. Since then they have become so intertwined with the series it is not uncommon for them to cameo in other Konami games. There have even been four games where the Moai have even been a playable character. The first being in an action platform game with Konami characters called Konami Wai Wai World and a platform/puzzle named Moai-kun, both for the Famicom. Later, they appeared in a racing game titled Konami Krazy Racers for the Game Boy Advance and in the fighting game DreamMix TV World Fighters for the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2. It should be noted that Moai are absent from Gradius V.
Easy final bosses
Unlike other scrolling shooters, as well as many video games in general, the final boss of most Gradius games is surprisingly easy given the difficulty of the final stage and previous bosses. The final boss is usually brain-like in appearance and occasionally taunts the player in a brief "this is only the beginning"-type speech prior to destruction. They can usually be vanquished by shooting once at a number of cores without any retaliation from the boss.
Multiple loops
After the credits roll at the end of the game, the game restarts at the first stage with the Vic Viper stripped of all power-ups. Each loop becomes progressively harder as enemies gain greater speed and projectile capabilities. This cycle continues up to the limit specified by the arcade operator and indefinitely for certain console versions until the player exhausts all reserve ships and chooses not to continue.
Boss Rush
First introduced in Gradius II, and in some instances referred to as 'Boss on Parade' - is a sequence of boss encounters where the player must fend off four or more Core Warships and in some cases biological entities, some of which are recreations of games preceding the current one.
Option Hunter
The Option Hunter (also called "Option Eater", "Option Thief" and "Multiple Muncher") appears from the left side of the screen at regular intervals if the player carries four Options. Before launching from the left, it briefly makes its presence known and temporarily mimics the player movement to better its chances of capturing Options. Unless the player takes evasive action, any or all Options may be removed.
Series
Gradius
(1985) - Originally released as an arcade game, and later ported to other platforms. It is known to exist on the following platforms: Nintendo Famicom, Nintendo Entertainment System, MSX, NEC PC Engine, Sega Saturn, Sony PlayStation, certain mobile phones, and computer (Saturn, Playstation and computer version are all packaged with Gradius 2 as Gradius Deluxe Pack). In some areas, Gradius was released under the name Nemesis.
Important: "Gradius" (original arcade version) and "Vs. Gradius" (based on the Famicom/NES version) are two separate arcade versions of the same game, the difference being that the Vs. version had two sets of controls, where the original had one set shared by two players in turn.
Gradius 2 (MSX)
The MSX Gradius 2 is unrelated to Gofer no Yabō (which used the Roman numeral 'II'). Instead of controlling Vic Viper, the available ship is called Metalion (N322). This game also has some semblance of a storyline, which it is told by cut-scenes. The gameplay is mostly unchanged from the rest of the series, though there are some powerups that temporally gives the ship some enhancements. In addition, when the bosses are being defeated, if the Metalion flies where they are, a mini-level can be accessed in order to obtain new permanent upgrades, assured that the mini levels are successfully cleared. This version was ported to the X68000 computer under the name Nemesis '90 Kai, with some graphical and aural enhancements.
Gradius II
(1988) - Fully titled グラディウスⅡ ～ＧＯＦＥＲの野望～ Gradius II: Gofer no Yabō ("Gradius II: The Ambition of Gofer"). Originally released as an arcade game, and later ported to other platforms. This version is completely different from the MSX Gradius 2 mentioned above. In Europe, Gradius II was released under the name Vulcan Venture. The MSX version was released as ゴーファーの野望 -EPISODE II- Gofer no Yabō Episode II to distinguish it from the earlier Gradius sequel for the MSX and was retitled Nemesis 3: The Eve of Destruction in Europe. The MSX game has extra options, like the ability to choose between ships. A catchy tune from the first level in the game, entitled "Burning Heat", became popular as a remix in the Dance Dance Revolution series on the PlayStation 2/Xbox/Arcade with the changing background featuring 3D renderings of the Vic Viper flying around, shooting enemies, as well as the arches of fire that come out from the meteors in the first level.
This game was never released in North America in any form. Instead, Life Force, known as Salamander in Japan, was marketed as the sequel to Gradius.
Gradius III
(1989) - Fully titled グラディウスIII -伝説から神話へ - Gradius III: Densetsu kara Shinwa e (which literally translates to "Gradius III: From Legend to Myth") in Japan. Originally released as an arcade game, and later ported to other platforms. This game introduced the "edit mode" method of selecting weapons, which allowed players to create their own weapon array by choosing power-ups from a rather limited pool of available weapon types (some weapons in the preset weapon types are not selectable in Edit Mode, although it includes weapons not in any presets). The SNES/SFC version is not a very accurate port; levels, enemies, and weapons were altered. For example, two entire stages were cut from the Super NES version: a 3D stage which involved avoiding hitting cave walls from a unique first-person perspective behind the Vic Viper, and a crystal stage in which the Vic Viper was challenged by crystal blocks blocking off areas like a maze. Also, the order of stages was changed. The final stage in the SNES version was based on an early stage in the arcade version. The original arcade version's ending had the main boss in a mechanical setting, then going through a speed-up zone to escape the enemy base, where the SNES version had the player simply avoiding the final enemy's laughably simple and slow-moving attack patterns with no challenge afterward. However, the SNES version introduced the Rotate and Formation Option types, both of which were reused in Gradius V. The difficulty and major boss tactics were toned down to make it easier. In a sense, it's almost a remix of the arcade game. The original arcade version is available for PlayStation 2 bundled with Gradius IV (Gradius III and IV), although the port has some slight differences from the original. Preferences between SNES/SFC and arcade versions vary among fans.
Nemesis
(1990) - The first Gradius for a portable system, in this case Nintendo's Game Boy. The name Nemesis was kept for the game's worldwide release. It combined elements from Gradius and Gradius II, as well as some all-new features.
Nemesis II
(1991) - Another Gradius game exclusively for the Game Boy. It was one of the larger Game Boy carts in existence at the time (2-Megabits), and was completely different from the rest of the series - most of them used music, enemies, bosses and even levels from previous games in the series, but this one did not, except for the boss music from the first Gradius game with the addition of a small original part to the piece. A little bit of the "between levels" music from Gradius III can also be found at the very first part of the game. It is known as Gradius: The Interstellar Assault in North America and Nemesis II: The Return of the Hero in Europe.
Gradius 外伝
(1997) - Romanized as "Gradius Gaiden". The first Gradius produced exclusively for a home console, and widely considered one of the best games in the series. This is also the only Gradius game (other than GOFER no Yabou Episode II on the MSX) where you can select which ship you want to use. Gradius Gaiden includes the Lord British Space Destroyer from Salamander and two (relative) newcomers -- the Jade Knight and the Falchion β(a variation of the ship from the NES game Falsion). It was created for the Sony PlayStation console and ported in 2006 as part of Gradius Portable for the PlayStation Portable. There are two variations of the PlayStation version - the original release, and as part of the "Sony PlayStation The Best" line (equivalent to "PlayStation Greatest Hits" in North America or "PlayStation Platinum" in PAL regions). No in-game differences between the two versions have been reported. This is also the first Gradius game (not counting the Salamander series) which allows two players to play simultaneously (i.e. allowing two ships on screen). Additionally, it featured the revolutionary Gauge Edit feature, allowing players to rearrange the Weapon Gauge as they see fit.
Gradius IV -復活-
(1999) - Released in Japanese arcades as "Gradius IV Fukkatsu" (Fukkatsu being Japanese for "resurrection", since it was the first arcade Gradius game in 10 years, following Gradius III), Gradius IV was the first Gradius game ported to the PlayStation 2. IV lacked the Weapon Edit function of its predecessor, but it had a bigger array of weaponry than the original Gradius games. Weapons exclusive to this game included the Vertical Mine missile (which detonates in a vertical line shortly after deployment) and the Armor Piercing laser (a shorter, more powerful laser). Released on the PS2 as a compilation pack together with the arcade version of Gradius III ("Gradius III & IV").
Gradius Galaxies
(2001) - The first Gradius to be created by a development team other than Konami's own internal teams (by Mobile 21 Studios, to be exact). It exists for the Game Boy Advance. It is known as Gradius Advance in Europe, and as Gradius Generation in Japan. The Japanese version, being the last to be released, has a number of exclusive challenge modes added that the other versions did not, and includes an additional invisible 5000 point bonus in one of the levels.
Gradius V
Gradius V was released in September 2004 for the PlayStation 2. Graphics are rendered in full 3D, although gameplay is still mostly 2D; some areas change the position and perspective of the camera to emphasize the 3D environment.
It was the first official Gradius sequel to be released exclusively on a home console. Treasure Co. Ltd (developers of the classic games Gunstar Heroes, Guardian Heroes, Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga, among others) assisted Konami in Gradius V development. In Japanese first press limited edition, the game included a book indicating inner design, the background, and the roadmap of Vic Viper series (i.e. Vic Viper is the name of a series, rather than a single ship).
A notable feature of Gradius V is the ability to select between different kinds of Option (called Multiples in the American release). There are four types:
- Freeze - follows the Vic Viper and can be made to 'freeze' in their current configuration.
- Directional - follows the Vic Viper and can be made to fire in any direction.
- Spacing - keeps position above or below the Vic Viper and can be pushed away or pulled toward the ship.
- Rotate - follows the Vic Viper and can be made to orbit the ship.
Gradius V also features a simultaneous cooperative two player mode, the second game in the series to do so (fourth counting the Salamander/Life Force games).
Gradius VI
A new Gradius game was announced at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show [1] for the PlayStation 3.
Spin-offs of the Gradius series
Parodius
The Parodius series, started in 1988, also made by Konami, is similar to Gradius, but with more cartoony settings. The name is a portmanteau of "parody" and "Gradius". Many of the mainstays of the Gradius series are included, albeit in a parodied format; this includes neon-colored core warships, effeminate moai, and large dancing women as bosses. Early games focused mainly on parodying Gradius games, but more recent games have poked fun at other Konami franchises, including Castlevania and Goemon. The games offer a large number of different characters to use, each with different weapons. The characters consist of ones created for the series, such as Takosuke, and popular konami characters like Pentarou and Upa.
Salamander (沙羅曼蛇)
Salamander (1986) is set in the same universe as Gradius. The game is noteworthy for a number of reasons. Most prominently, the game switches between horizontal and vertical stages, one of the first games of its kinds. Also, Salamander was one of the first shooters to include simultaneous two player games.
The first player ship is Gradius's own Vic Viper ship, while the second ship is the Lord British space destroyer (sometimes called the "RoadBritish").
Unlike Gradius, Salamander uses a more conventional weapons system, with enemies leaving a wide-variety of distinct power-ups. The NES version of Salamander, called Life Force in North America (and marketed in that region as the "sequel" to the first Gradius), and the MSX port, used the more traditional power-up bar used in the Gradius series. There also exists an arcade game named Life Force that is identical to Salamander released in Japanese arcades the same year, except that a Gradius-style power-up bar is used instead of conventional power-up items, and the stages were recolored slightly and given some voiceovers to make the mission about travelling inside someone's body, rather than through space; stages took on names such as 'Kidney Zone' and 'Stomach'. An American release was also made, but it retained the original power-up system of Salamander.
Salamander 2 (沙羅曼蛇2)
Salamander 2 (1996) is the follow-up for Salamander. Had several interesting features, such as the Option Shot, the ability to launch the Options as homing projectiles. After firing, an Option would revert to a smaller, less powerful unit called an Option Seed, which revolves around the ship firing the default shot. Weaponry includes Twin Laser, Ripple Laser, and standard Laser. Like its predecessor, Salamander 2 uses a power-up system, rather than the Life Meter. Upon acquiring a second power-up of the same type, your weapons are twice as powerful for a short duration (~10 seconds). The game features variations of previous Salamander bosses, such as the Golem and Tetran.
Salamander 2's final boss, known as "Giga," is one of the very few final bosses of Gradius-based games to actually provide challenge, compared to the easy-to-defeat "joke" final bosses of most Gradius games.
All three Salamander arcade games (Salamander, Life Force, Salamander 2) have been ported to the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn in Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus. It was released only in Japan.
Solar Assault
Also by Konami, Solar Assault is an arcade 3D rail shooter in the lines of Star Fox or Panzer Dragoon, with Gradius's settings. As usual, Vic Viper makes an appearance here. This game was very obscure and was never ported to any console system.
Lord British
The Lord British Space Destroyer, often called simply Lord British, is the name of the second player's spacecraft in the arcade game Salamander, released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the U.S. as Life Force; Salamander is a sidestory to Gradius. It should be noted that the Lord British did not appear in Salamander 2, instead replaced by a similar-looking ship. Lord British's character description from Sexy Parodius implies that "he" was bitter over losing this role.
Miscellany
- A number of Konami titles including Gradius, Parodius Da! and Salamander have the default high score set at 57300. Where the first three digits, 573, refers to Ko-Na-Mi (コナミ) kana letters, a play of word for 'Konami'.
- Several cards in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game feature different characters and elements present in the Gradius series as cards. Such cards include Gradius, Gradius' Option, Cyclon Laser, Victory Viper XX03, Power Capsule, Boss Rush, and the B.E.S. Core bosses. Other cards like Solar Flare Dragon, Moai Interceptor Cannons, and The Statue of Easter Island have been inspired by the games. In Episode 71 of the anime Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, the character Lorenzo uses a deck based on the bosses of the Gradius game, using cards such as Big Core. At the beginning of the episode, he is shown playing the Gradius arcade game.
- Various Gradius-style music has been known to show up in Bemani games, mainly the Beatmania IIDX series. They are mostly composed by Tomoyuki Uchida under the artist name Mr. T. The most popular songs are Burning Heat! (FULL OPTION MIX), which is a remixed version of the Stage 1 music from Gradius II, and GRADIUS -FULL SPEED-, which is a mash-up of all the music from the first Gradius arcade game.
External links
- Gradius Home World - Complete coverage of Gradius, related titles and the only Gradius dedicated Forum on the net
- Gradius Base, an extensive resource on all Gradius games
- Resource page on the Gradius series
- Extensive article on the formula of Gradius games
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