Gradius
Pilot Vic Viper against the Bacterian forces, collecting red energy capsules to change available upgrades. Speed increases and laser fire are part of this Famicom shooter’s power-up system.
- AI score · out of 10
- 8.5 / 10
About this game
Gradius puts you in command of Vic Viper on a mission to destroy the enemy fortress Zelos and save the planet Gradius. Combat is linked to a power-up system: collecting red energy capsules changes the type of enhancement available to your ship. The options include SPEED UP, which increases movement speed, and LASER, which equips a laser attack. Capsule collection therefore concerns more than immediate shooting; it changes the capabilities with which you face the enemy forces.
Collected in series
Gradius is Konami’s space-shooting series about guiding the Vic Viper through enemy fire and hazardous terrain. Its classic power-up gauge makes collecting capsules a tactical choice: take an upgrade now or keep collecting for a different weapon or defense.
Recommended games
Related game recommendations on this platform
Famicom / NES
AI review
AI reviews are subjective assessments, not player ratings. See each review for its evidence and limitations.Published date:
For shooter players interested in changing a ship’s capabilities during combat.
Capsules connect enemy encounters with equipment decisions. Players who like considering how mobility and weapons change their approach may appreciate that focus.
Strengths
- The upgrade system links resource collection directly to the ship’s abilities.
Who it is for: Players who enjoy shooting action with equipment choices.
View scoring basis
| Dimension | Review state | Score | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension Collecting successive capsules gives combat an equipment-development thread. | Reviewed | 8.4 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Different upgrades make ship development part of the combat decisions. | Reviewed | 8.8 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension The named starfighter and planetary rescue establish a space-conflict premise. | Reviewed | 8.8 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Original-release performance remains unverified. | Reviewed | 7.7 / 10 | Not provided |
Review sources
Not provided
Core information
- Developer
- Konami
- Publisher
- Konami
- Release date
- 1986
- Platforms
- Famicom / NES
- Content kind
- Game
- Release state
- Released
- Region
- Worldwide
- Official website
- Not provided
- Offline minimum players
- Not provided
- Offline maximum players
- Not provided
- Online minimum players
- Not provided
- Online maximum players
- Not provided
- Categories
- Shooter · Primary genre
- Tags
- 2D GraphicsScience FictionShootingResource ManagementReal-time CombatSide-scrolling
- Supported game languages
- Not provided
- Requires base game
- Not provided
- Standalone
- Not provided
- Age ratings
- Not provided
- Play modes
- Single player
- Perspectives
- Side view
Release editions
- Famicom / NESWorldwide1986
Game gallery
Sources
- www.konami.comSource revision: 1
- www.konami.com