Gradius cover
FranchiseGradiusSeriesGradius

Gradius

Critic score1 critic
First release
May 29, 1985
Publisher
Konami
Genres
Shooter, Arcade · Action, Science fiction

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, he or she may activate it, also causing the highlight to reset.

Also known as Scramble 2

Attributes

No Attributes added.

Details

Storyline, release dates, time to beat, age ratings, modes, links, keywords

Storyline
Gradius, our mother planet. Bacterian, a cluster of stars located in subspace, has invaded this dazzling planet and exposed it to a series of vicious battles. Threatened with extinction in the face of such an onslaught, the planet Gradius decides to deploy its final hope: the super-dimensional fighter Vic Viper. Its destination is the enemy fortress of Xaerous. The only way to put an end to this conflict is to plunge deep into the enemy's stronghold and destroy the core that lies at its center. Prepare to launch! And so, Vic Viper takes off into the vast blackness of space.Read more

Gradius, our mother planet. Bacterian, a cluster of stars located in subspace, has invaded this dazzling planet and exposed it to a series of vicious battles. Threatened with extinction in the face of such an onslaught, the planet Gradius decides to deploy its final hope: the super-dimensional fighter Vic Viper. Its destination is the enemy fortress of Xaerous. The only way to put an end to this conflict is to plunge deep into the enemy's stronghold and destroy the core that lies at its center. Prepare to launch! And so, Vic Viper takes off into the vast blackness of space.

Release dates
Arcade
May 29, 1985
Arcade
Sep 1985
Sharp X68000
Mar 28, 1987
Game modes
Multiplayer, Single player
Perspective
Side view
Keywords
space

At a Glance

Critic Score
75

How it plays

Languages

  • Englishinterface
IGDB · recorded 31 Oct 2026

Language data: IGDB · recorded 31 Oct 2026