List of Gradius media
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 |
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Gradius Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1985 – Arcade Famicom 2003 – Mobile |
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Salamander Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1986 – Arcade Famicom |
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Title | Details |
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Gradius 2 Original release date(s):
| 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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Nemesis 3: The Eve of Destruction 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 |
Title | Details |
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Gradius: The Interstellar Assault Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1991 – Nintendo Game Boy |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1996 – Arcade |
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Title | Details |
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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: 1999 – Arcade |
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Title | Details |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 2001 – Game Boy Advance |
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Title | Details |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 2004 – PlayStation 2 |
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Title | Details |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2004 – Japanese mobile phones |
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Title | Details |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2004 –[1] Japanese mobile phones |
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Title | Details |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 2008 – Wii |
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Spin-offs
Title | Details |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1987 – Famicom Disk System |
Title | Details |
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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. |
Title | Details |
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Piccadilly Gradius Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1989 - Redemption game |
Notes: A redemption game of the Gradius series. |
Title | Details |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1989 – Nintendo Entertainment System |
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Title | Details |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1990 - Arcade |
Title | Details |
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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 |
Title | Details |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1996 - Arcade 1997 - PlayStation, Sega Saturn |
Title | Details |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1997 - PlayStation |
Title | Details |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 1997 – Arcade |
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Title | Details |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 1998 – Pachislot |
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Title | Details |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2000 – Pachinko |
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Title | Details |
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CR Saikoro Tin Douty Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2004 – Pachinko |
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Title | Details |
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CR Gokujo Parodius Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2006 – Pachinko |
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Title | Details |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2007 – Arcade, Xbox 360 |
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Gradius Arc: Legend of the Silver Wings Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2010 – Japanese mobile phones |
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Title | Details |
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Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2010 – Pachislot |
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Title | Details |
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Original release date(s): | Release years by system: 2011 – Xbox 360 |
Title | Details |
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Gradius: The Slot Original release date(s):
| Release years by system: 2011 – Pachislot |
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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
- Compilation of the arcade releases of Parodius Da! and Fantastic Parodius.
- Never released in North America.
Gradius Deluxe Pack
1996 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Windows
- Compilation of Gradius and Gradius II.
- Includes an introductory sequence created using Computer-generated imagery.
- Never released in North America or Europe.
Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus
1997 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn
- Compilation of the arcade releases of Salamander, Life Force and Salamander 2.
- Includes an introductory CGI sequence.
- Never released in North America or Europe.
Konami GB Collection
1997,2000 — Game Boy, Game Boy Color
- ?.
- Never released in North America.
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").
2006 — PlayStation Portable
- Compilation of Gradius, Gradius II, Gradius III, Gradius IV and Gradius Gaiden.
- Released as Gradius Portable in Japan.
- Includes music and movie galleries with content from previous console releases.
2007 — PlayStation Portable
- Compilation of Parodius, Parodius Da!, Fantastic Parodius, Jikkyō Oshaberi Parodius and Sexy Parodius.
Salamander Portable
2007 — PlayStation Portable
- Compilation of the arcade releases of Salamander, Life Force, Salamander 2, Nemesis 2 and Xexex.
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
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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 |
Printed media
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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Music albums
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
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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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References
- ^ "Search of グラディウスNEOインペリアル (Japanese title of Gradius NEO Imperial) for ケータイ (cell phones) released in 2004年07月 (July 2004)". Konami Japanese Official Site (in Japanese). Konami. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
- ^ "Konami コナミ商品・サービス情報サイト". Archived from the original on 2018-01-14. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
- v
- t
- e
- List of media
Arcade |
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Home |
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Handheld |
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- Salamander
- Salamander 2
- Cosmic Wars
- Vic Viper
- Solar Assault
- Scramble
- Falsion
- Thunder Cross
- Moai-kun
- Konami Wai Wai World
- Parodius
- Wai Wai World 2
- Konami Krazy Racers
- Otomedius
- DreamMix TV World Fighters
- Konami Wai Wai Sokoban
- Super Bomberman R
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