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.

Video games

Title Details
Gradius

Original release date(s):
  • NA: 1985 (1985)
  • JP: May 29, 1985 (1985-05-29)
  • EU: September 1985 (1985-09)
 Release years by system:
1985 – Arcade Famicom
2003 – Mobile
Notes:
Title Details
Salamander

Original release date(s):
  • NA: August 1, 1988 (1988-08-01)
  • JP: July 4, 1986 (1986-07-04)
  • EU: 1986 (1986)
 Release years by system:
1986 – Arcade Famicom
Notes:
  • Released as Life Force in North America.
  • Included as part of the Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus compilation for PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1997.
  • Included as part of Salamander Portable for PlayStation Portable in 2007.
Title Details
Gradius 2

Original release date(s):
  • JP: August 22, 1987 (1987-08-22)
 Release years by system:
1987 – MSX
Notes:
Title Details
Gradius II

Original release date(s):
  • JP: March 24, 1988 (1988-03-24)
  • EU: 1988 (1988)
 Release years by system:
1988 – Arcade Famicom
Notes:
  • Released as Vulcan Venture in Europe.
  • Ported for Famicom (the Japanese equivalent to a Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES) in Japan later the same year.
  • Included as part of Gradius Deluxe Pack for PlayStation, Sega Saturn and Microsoft Windows in 1996.
  • Included as part of Gradius Collection for PlayStation Portable in 2006.
Title Details
Nemesis 3: The Eve of Destruction

Original release date(s):
  • JP: January 27, 1989 (1989-01-27)
 Release years by system:
1988 – MSX
Notes:
  • Known as Gofer no Yabō Episode II in Japan.
Title Details
Gradius III

Original release date(s):
  • JP: December 11, 1989 (1989-12-11)
 Release years by system:
1989 – Arcade
Notes:
Title Details
Nemesis

Original release date(s):
  • JP: February 23, 1990 (1990-02-23)
  • NA: April 1990 (1990-04)
  • EU: 1991 (1991)
 Release years by system:
1990 – Nintendo Game Boy
Title Details
Gradius: The Interstellar Assault

Original release date(s):
  • JP: August 9, 1991 (1991-08-09)
  • NA: January 1992 (1992-01)
  • EU: 1992 (1992)
 Release years by system:
1991 – Nintendo Game Boy
Notes:
  • Released with the subtitle Return of the Hero in Europe and in North America as Gradius: The Interstellar Assault.
Title Details
Salamander 2

Original release date(s):
  • JP: January 1996 (1996-01)
 Release years by system:
1996 – Arcade
Notes:
  • Included as part of Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus for PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1997.
  • Included as part of Salamander Portable for PlayStation Portable in 2007.
Title Details
Gradius Gaiden

Original release date(s):
  • JP: August 28, 1997 (1997-08-28)
 Release years by system:
1997 – PlayStation
Notes:
  • First title to be released exclusively for home consoles.
  • Original version was never released in North America or Europe.
  • Included as part of Gradius Collection for PlayStation Portable in 2006.
Title Details
Gradius IV

Original release date(s):
  • JP: February 4, 1999 (1999-02-04)
 Release years by system:
1999 – Arcade
Notes:
  • Allowed players for a limited time to submit scores to an Internet-based ranking system.
  • Included as part of Gradius III and IV for PlayStation 2 in 2000 and Gradius Collection for PlayStation Portable in 2006.
Title Details
Gradius Galaxies

Original release date(s):
  • NA: November 12, 2001 (2001-11-12)
  • JP: January 17, 2002 (2002-01-17)
  • EU: November 9, 2001 (2001-11-09)
 Release years by system:
2001 – Game Boy Advance
Notes:
  • Released as Gradius Advance in Europe, and as Gradius Generation in Japan.
Title Details
Gradius V

Original release date(s):
  • NA: September 14, 2004 (2004-09-14)
  • JP: July 22, 2004 (2004-07-22)
  • EU: October 8, 2004 (2004-10-08)
 Release years by system:
2004 – PlayStation 2
Notes:
Title Details
Gradius NEO

Original release date(s):
  • JP: 2004 (2004)
 Release years by system:
2004 – Japanese mobile phones
Notes:
  • Released exclusively for mobile phones in Japan.
Title Details
Gradius NEO Imperial

Original release date(s):
  • JP: July 2004 (2004-07)
 Release years by system:
2004 –[1] Japanese mobile phones
Notes:
  • Released exclusively for mobile phones in Japan.
Title Details
Gradius ReBirth

Original release date(s):
  • NA: March 9, 2009 (2009-03-09)
  • JP: September 2, 2008 (2008-09-02)
  • EU: July 3, 2009 (2009-07-03)
 Release years by system:
2008 – Wii
Notes:
  • Released as a WiiWare game.
  • An update was released for the game on the Wii Shop Channel free of charge. It improves some of the visuals and the scoring system, in addition to adding some new music and making changes to the levels.[2]

Spin-offs

Title Details
Falsion

Original release date(s):
  • JP: October 21, 1987 (1987-10-21)
 Release years by system:
1987 – Famicom Disk System
Title Details
Parodius

Original release date(s):
  • JP: 1988 (1988)
 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.

Title Details
Piccadilly Gradius

Original release date(s):
  • JP: 1989 (1989)
 Release years by system:
1989 - Redemption game
Notes:

A redemption game of the Gradius series.

Title Details
Cosmic Wars

Original release date(s):
  • JP: August 4, 1989 (1989-08-04)
 Release years by system:
1989 – Nintendo Entertainment System
Notes:
  • Strategy game based on the Gradius series.
Title Details
Parodius Da!

Original release date(s):
  • JP: 1990 (1990)
 Release years by system:
1990 - Arcade
Title Details
Fantastic Parodius

Original release date(s):
  • JP: 1994 (1994)
 Release years by system:
1994 - Arcade
Notes:
  • Known as Gokujō Parodius! ～Kako no Eikō o Motomete～ in Japan.
Title Details
Jikkyō Oshaberi Parodius

Original release date(s):
  • JP: 1995 (1995)
 Release years by system:
1995 - Super Famicom
Title Details
Sexy Parodius

Original release date(s):
  • JP: March 1996 (March 1996)
 Release years by system:
1996 - Arcade
1997 - PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Title Details
Paro Wars

Original release date(s):
  • JP: 1997 (1997)
  • JP: 1999 (Konami the Best) (1999 (Konami the Best))
 Release years by system:
1997 - PlayStation
Title Details
Solar Assault

Original release date(s):
  • JP: July 1997 (1997-07)
  • NA: 1997 (1997)
 Release years by system:
1997 – Arcade
Notes:
  • An update titled Solar Assault Revised was released in late 1997.
Title Details
Little Pirates

Original release date(s):
  • JP: 1998 (1998)
 Release years by system:
1998 – Pachislot
Notes:
  • Released exclusively for Pachislot in Japan.
Title Details
CR Parodius Da!

Original release date(s):
  • JP: 2000 (2000)
 Release years by system:
2000 – Pachinko
Notes:
  • Released exclusively for Pachinko in Japan.
Title Details
CR Saikoro Tin Douty

Original release date(s):
  • JP: August 2004 (2004-08)
 Release years by system:
2004 – Pachinko
Notes:
  • Released exclusively for Pachinko in Japan.
  • This Pachinko featuring by Saikoro an girl was alive in the Japanese Ancient.
  • Press the button and roll the dice when they leave three penguins, appears in Parodius Characters, Including Koitsu, Hiakru, Pentarou, Anna Barbowa and Meroowa and Moai Battleship.
  • Contain the CR Parodius Da! BGM in this Video.
Title Details
CR Gokujo Parodius

Original release date(s):
  • JP: May 2006 (2006-05)
 Release years by system:
2006 – Pachinko
Notes:
  • Released exclusively for Pachinko in Japan.
Title Details
Otomedius

Original release date(s):
  • JP: 2007 (2007)
 Release years by system:
2007 – Arcade, Xbox 360
Notes:
  • Released exclusively for Arcade and Xbox 360 in Japan.
Title Details
Gradius Arc: Legend of the Silver Wings

Original release date(s):
  • JP: September 2010 (2010-09)
 Release years by system:
2010 – Japanese mobile phones
Notes:
  • Strategy game spinoff released exclusively for mobile phones in Japan.
Title Details
Gokuraku Parodius

Original release date(s):
  • JP: September 2010 (2010-09)
 Release years by system:
2010 – Pachislot
Notes:
  • Released exclusively for Pachislot in Japan.
Title Details
Otomedius Excellent

Original release date(s):
  • JP: 2011 (2011)
  • NA: 2011 (2011)
 Release years by system:
2011 – Xbox 360
Title Details
Gradius: The Slot

Original release date(s):
  • JP: July 2011 (2011-07)
 Release years by system:
2011 – Pachislot
Notes:
  • Released exclusively for Pachislot in Japan.

Compilations and collections

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

1994 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn

Gradius Deluxe Pack

1996 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Windows

Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus

1997 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn

Konami GB Collection

1997,2000 — Game Boy, Game Boy Color

  •  ?.
  • Never released in North America.

Gradius III and IV

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

2006 — PlayStation Portable

Parodius Portable

2007 — PlayStation Portable

Salamander Portable

2007 — PlayStation Portable

Merchandise

  • 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

Konami Video Collection Original Game BGV Konami Best Vol.1 — 1987 — VHS
  • This VHS Contain a TwinBee, Gradius & Contra.
Salamander — 1988 — VHS
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

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
  • Japanese title: 極上パロディウス (1) 岩尾奈美恵 (Gokujō parodiusu (1 ) iwao namie)
Gradius Portable Official Guide — 2006 — ISBN 4-86155-111-0
  • Published by Konami on March 28, 2006.
  • A 192-page book in colour with artwork, series history and guide for Gradius I-IV and Gradius Gaiden.
  • Japanese title: グラディウス ポータブル 公式ガイド ~レジェンド オブ I・II・III・IV・外伝~
Shūtingugēmusaido Vol. 2 (Gēmusaido bukkusu) — 2011 — ISBN 4-86155-111-0
  • Published by Konami on March 28, 2006.
  • A Pages was contain as, Gradius, Parodius and Otomedius.
  • Japanese title: シューティングゲームサイドVol.2 (GAMESIDE BOOKS)
Konami Book: "The Legend of Konami — 2012 — ISBN 4-86155-111-0
  • Published by Konami on December 14, 2012.
  • A Pages was contain as, Gradius, Parodius and Salamander.
  • A Scripted by Matra Computer Automations

Music albums

Original Sound of Gradius & Salamander: Battle Music Collection — 1987 — Compact disc
The Konamic Game Freaks — 1987 — Compact Disc
Beep Magazine Vol.3 - Konami Game Music Sono Sheet — 1987 — Compact Disc
SUITE GRADIUS Fantasia — 1988 — Cassette
  • Cassette Original Soundtrack by Konami Industry Co., Ltd.
  • Released in Japan by Soundtrack by Apollon Music Industrial Corp. on November 21, 1988.
Space Odyssey Gradius II ~GOFER no Yabou~ — 1988 — Cassette
  • Soundtrack by Konami Industry Co., Ltd for Gradius II.
  • Released in Japan by Soundtrack by Apollon Music Industrial Corp. on July 21, 1988.
Konami Game Music Special — 1988 — Compact Disc
  • Soundtrack by Konami Industry Co., Ltd, contain a Gradius.
  • Released in Japan by Soundtrack by Apollon Music Industrial Corp. on August 25, 1988.
Konami Famicom Music Memorial Best Vol.1 — 1989 — Compact Disc
  • Soundtrack by Konami Industry Co., Ltd for Gradius II.
  • Released in Japan by Soundtrack by Apollon Music Industrial Corp. on July 21, 1989.
Konami Special Music Senryoubako — 1990 — Compact Disc
Kukeiha Club — 1990 — Compact Disc
Gradius III — 1990 — Compact Disc
Perfect Selection Gradius — 1991 — Compact Disc
Perfect Selection Gradius — 1991 — Compact Disc
Perfect Selection Gradius Part 2 — 1992 — Compact Disc
Konami All-Stars 1993~Yume no Music Station — 1992 — Compact Disc
MIDI Power X68000 Collection ver 3.0 — 1993 — Compact Disc
Konami GM Hits Factory II — 1993 — Compact Disc
Gradius In Classic I & II — 1993 — Compact Disc
PERFECT SELECTION KONAMI SHOOTING BATTLE II — 1995 — Compact Disc
  •  ?.
  • Released in Japan by Konami Co., Ltd on November 22, 1995
Salamander 2 Original Game Soundtrack — 1996 — Compact Disc
Gradius Gaiden Original Game Soundtrack — 1997 — Compact Disc
Konami MSX Super Best Antiques — 1998 — Cassette
  • Soundtrack by Konami Industry Co., Ltd for all games.
  • Released in Japan by Soundtrack by Apollon Music Industrial Corp. on September 23, 1988.
Gradius IV Fukkatsu Original Game Soundtrack — 1999 — Compact disc
Konami Game Music Vol.1 — 2000 — Compact Disc
  • A 1-disc soundtrack for ?.
  • Released in Japan by Konami on November 1, 2000.
  • One of a few soundtracks not composed by Konami Kukeiha Club, but by Japanese artist "Atsuki"
Gradius Arcade Soundtrack — 2002 — Compact Disc
  • A 2-disc collection of background music and arrangements by Konami Kukeiha Club.
  • Released in Japan by Konami Music Entertainment Inc. on April 24, 2002."
Salamander Arcade Soundtrack — 2003 — Compact Disc
Konami Music Masterpiece Collection — 2004 — Compact Disc
  •  ?.
  • Composed by Konami Kukeiha Club and released in Japan on October 1, 2004.
Gradius V Soundtracks — 2004 — Compact Disc
UNDER THE BLUE SKY ~include GRADIUS arrange~ — 2005 — Compact Disc
  • By MOTOAKI FURUKAWA.
  • Released in Japan by Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. on June 6, 2005.
Legend of Game Music ~Premium Box~ — 2005 — Compact Disc
  • Released in Japan by Scitron Digital Contents. on March 24, 2005.
Gradius Tribute — 2006 — Compact Disc
  • Released in Japan by Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. on December 20, 2006.
Konami Addiction ~For Electro Lovers~ — 2008 — Compact Disc
  • Released in Japan by Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. on May 21, 2008.
GRADIUS house ReMix — 2009 — Compact Disc
GRADIUS THE SLOT ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK — 2011 — Compact Disc
KONAMI SHOOTING COLLECTION — 2011 — Compact Disc
  • Commercial Soundtrack of 10 CDs.
  • Released in Japan by Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. on September 22, 2011.
FALSION SOUNDTRACKS — 2014 — Compact Disc
  • Commercial Soundtrack of 1 CD.
  • Composed by Shinya Sakamoto, Shigehiro Takenouchi and Atsushi Fujio
  • Arranged by Sukenomiya Fujio
  • Released in Japan by EGG Music and Konami Kukeiha Club on April 30, 2014.

References

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