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[Hayama Akito]

Released on japanese Arcades in May 29, 1985.

Not only one of my favorite shooters of all time, also all the franchise has the best music ever in the eighties, EVER.

It is a shame Gradius II was never released in the US, is by far my favorite in the franchise.

Rest in peace Konami.

 

[MichaelFassbender]

It's no Parodius, I'll tell you that much.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

Released on japanese Arcades in May 29, 1985.

Not only one of my favorite shooters of all time, also all the franchise has the best music ever in the eighties, EVER.

It is a shame Gradius II was never released in the US, is by far my favorite in the franchise.

Rest in peace Konami.

Thankfully the PC Engine version can be purchased on the Wii Shop Channel. It's an awesome game. I wish Konami would have released a VC version of the Famicom game as well in North America.

Also, wasn't it released on PSP in the Gradius compilation?

 

[Zophar]

Gradius II is also in the Gradius Collection for PSP, which IMO is a must have for any fan of the series.

 

[Danneee]

Best music inte 80s, example music from the 90s.

The NES game was awesome. Never made it past those easter island statue things though.

 

[EmSeta]

Love Gradius. And Salamander.

I wonder if the collection is available on the EU PS store.. I don't think the Salamander collection was ever released outside Japan though, was it?

 

[Dremark]

Awesome series, will continue to miss it.

 

[Soltype]

Best music inte 80s, example music from the 90s.

The NES game was awesome. Never made it past those easter island statue things though.

I can't believe higashino was only 17 when she composed the first game, so much talent at such a young age.

 

[Mellahan]

So what do you say; Gradius V a good starting point for someone relatively new to the franchise?

 

[Infernal Monkey]

Love Gradius. And Salamander.

I wonder if the collection is available on the EU PS store.. I don't think the Salamander collection was ever released outside Japan though, was it?

Gradius Collection is indeed on the EU store, but it's not Vita compatible.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

So what do you say; Gradius V a good starting point for someone relatively new to the franchise?

Sure. It's an awesome game. Treasure knocked it out of the park.

 

[Hayama Akito]

Best music inte 80s, example music from the 90s

Gradius II was released in 1988, the title screen in the YT video is from the PC-Engine version, with Redbook audio (and sounds exactly like the Arcade version).

 

[vagabondarts]

I have fond memories of trying to beat gradius and lifeforce at my neighbor's house in summertime. Tough games for me but the simultaneous 2 player action just couldn't be beat back then.

 

[RyanDG]

I now feel really, really old.

 

[Noogy]

Happy birthday, old friend. We've grown up together, sad to see you die so young.

 

[biteren]

Gradius game coming to PS3...

ill never forget this.

 

[@MUWANdo]

So what do you say; Gradius V a good starting point for someone relatively new to the franchise?

It's a fine game but probably not the best place to start as it's a bit of an oddball compared to the other games.

 

[Crimsonclaw111]

Can't wait for the new mobile one.

 

[donkey show]

Up up down down left right left right B A select start, GO!

My fave SHMUP series since I started gaming and they even did a super awesome with Vic Viper becoming a badass mecha in Zone of the Enders 2.

Plus that iconic boss rush theme.

Sweet dreams, glorious prince. ;__;

 

[DXB-KNIGHT]

Part of my childhood for sure

 

[Doogington]

Celebrate with Burning Heat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJwzE-W9-cA

 

[Bjoern the Smexy]

It's no Parodius, I'll tell you that much.

Right on, brother.

Parodius > Gradius.
Though I love both. My first shmup ever was Gradius III which I played on zSNES back in the day. It's also the first game I bought once I got my hands on a NTSC-SNES.

I'm really sad that Konami is so stuck up with their mobile gaming policy so that we will probably never see another Gradius (or Parodius) game again.

Also I still have to play Gradius Rebirth.

 

[Zalman]

I'm into classic video games, but I've actually never played this series. What's a good starting point? What games are considered the best?

 

[Dragoon En Regalia]

I'll get into this series one day. Until then, enjoy these interviews with Gradius's director about the original game.

 

[G-Fex]

YES.

Happy 30th to this amazing series

 

[-Gozer-]

The Gradius series and its spin offs (excluding otomedius) is top tier STG games for me.

I played some Gradius Rebirth to celebrate the anniversary today.

Shame Konami won't do a damn thing to acknowledge the anniversary.

Every E3 deep down in my heart I hope to see a surprise announcement for Gradius VI. Seeing a current gen Gradius with Treasure and G.rev at the helm again would be best game announcement EVER for me. I know that sort of announcement has basically been wishful thinking for many many years now. Now with Konami in the state it's currently in really kills me inside.

At least there are a plenty of great entries in the Gradius series to go back to.

 

[kogasu]

Awesome! Love this series! I'll be sure to play through the opening levels of all the ones I own since that's about as far as I can get in any of them.

Spoiler

Without cheating of course heh.

 

[DarkSoul520]

Love the hell out of this series. The Vic Viper is my dream spacecraft.

A damn shame we'll probably never see another sequel...

 

[Suzzopher]

Happy birthday to the king of the shmups!

 

[Occam]

Too bad that the company which created this series no longer exists.

 

[Lord British]

My username sure as hell ain't an Ultima reference.

 

[-Gozer-]

I'm into classic video games, but I've actually never played this series. What's a good starting point? What games are considered the best?

If you have the ability to play import PS1 games then go for Gradius Gaiden. I'd say it's at the top of my best Gradius list followed closely by Gradius V.

 

[-Gozer-]

Gradius game coming to PS3...

ill never forget this.

I'm right there with you.

So much excitement at the time.

 

[Danneee]

Gradius II was released in 1988, the title screen in the YT video is from the PC-Engine version, with Redbook audio (and sounds exactly like the Arcade version).

Ah, you learn something new every day


The first Gradius is on the 3DS eshop, right?

 

[Nocturno999]

Hopefully, Konami will announce VI to celebrate.

Spoiler

 

[mao2]

I was never good at shmups but I enjoyed playing Gradius and Parodius games back then, especially the latter due to their goofiness.

Anyway, Salamander Portable is available on Japan PS Store in case anyone is interested. It comes with Salamander, Life Force, Salamander 2, XEXEX and Gradius 2 (MSX version), and playable on both PSP and Vita.
https://store.playstation.com/#!/ja...･ベスト/cid=JP0101-NPJH50021_00-0000000000000000

 

[Jotamide]

It's no Parodius, I'll tell you that much.

I wish so badly that the PSP collection had come out outside of Japan.

 

[mao2]

I wish so badly that the PSP collection had come out outside of Japan.

It's not even available digitally on Japan PS Store. Konami sucks.

 

[JailDesigner]

Happy birthday, old friend. We've grown up together, sad to see you die so young.

Thanks for the time being

 

[Community Forum]

Thanks for this thread, I totally forgot Gradius V was released on PS3 and I need to buy it.

 

[Alcoholikaust]

Another game Im way older than-damn.

Happy Birthday little bro

 

[daydream]

Love this series, happy bday! Shoutout to Parodius!

 

[Dr Zhivago]

Happy Birthday!!!

Spoiler

Although it will always be Nemesis to me.

 

[mrmickfran]

Gradius V is in-fucking-possible.

Once I get to stage 3 I just shutdown.

 

[Saroyan]

Happy birthday Gradius!

I actually just bought a copy of Gradius II for PC Engine CD last month, I haven't played it that much yet, but from what I have seen its pretty sweet

 

[sixteen-bit]

Happy anniversary.

 

[butman]

Happy Birthday Gradius!

Good luck in your pachinko future!

 

[Sticky&Sweet]

Happy Birthday!

 

[Adam Blue]

Love these game! Gradius Galaxies coming out on GBA was like a dream come true. Then Treasure with V, then ReBirth. The series was treated well. But now what, you know?

 

[alienator]

actually , Msx Gradius 2, with superior versions on the psp salamander collection , and the homebrew port on X6800 (Nemesis KAI) are the most legit gradius games out of there.. followed by Gradius V , Gradius, Gradius Galaxies, Gradius gameboy , the gradius level in zoe , ----> gradius II . if that makes any sense .

Loved the ability to fly into the core and have a secret level for weapon upgrades..

best gradius ever.