Gradius III/Stage 10


 * Stage 10-1

This stage starts of with several Zabus-like enemies, firing spread shots and giving power-ups when destroyed.

Boss On Parade #1: Tetran
This boss from Salamander has one similarity to the Big Core from Gradius 1. It has a core protected by 3 shields. You must destroy the shields and then the core. Other than that, the Tetran is entirely new. Almost round, it has four tentacles that spin around the ship while the ship spins in clockwise circles. The tentacles have a new ability, as they can curl up inside the body and wrap out at any second. If that wasn't enough, the barriers fire spread shots when destroyed. Other than dodging the arms and bullets, use a similar strategy as in Salamander.

Boss On Parade #2: Covered Core
This boss appears from the first hole in the ground, and has the same shield-and-core business as the Tetran. This one is fully round, and has three rotating shields that cover (hence the name) the core. In addition to that, the shields fire missiles from above and below that must be dodged. The core takes a while before opening, but the missiles can be dodged with good weaving.

Boss On Parade #3: Big Core Mk 2
When the second hole in the ground appears, Big Core Mk 2 will appear. Big Core Mk 2 is much different from the original Big Core. A notable difference is that it has TWO cores instead of one. It can also fire more lasers; up to 14. However, if you are far away from it, it fires 4 lasers, like the Big Core. When one core is destroyed, that side malfunctions (two arms on Big Core Mk 2 must be opened to fire all the lasers) and the lasers stop working. When both cores are eliminated, you will move on.

Boss On Parade #4: Crystal Core
Cystal Core will emerge from the third hole in the ground. Crystal Core is, as the name suggests, made out of crystals. Crystal Core also has two long arms that can fire blue fireballs. Like the previous bosses, it has four shields and a blue core. Every few seconds, Crystal Core fires two short lasers. After a while, Crystal Core closes its arms, protecting the core, and fires 14 twin lasers in a row. It then repeats the process till it dies.

Boss On Parade #5: Death Mk 2
When the fourth hole is reached, Death Mk 2 will rise. At first, it'll look like Death Mk 1. However, this version has new attacks. While the doors are present, Death Mk 2 will fire five missiles at a time. Weaving through them is difficult but not impossile to do. When the hatch is destroyed, Death Mk 2 will fire a huge laser that must be dodged. This boss is easily taken care of with Spread Bombs.

Boss: Dellinger Core
The final boss of the stage appears from the last hole in the ground. Dellinger Core has the same killing patterns as the other bosses here (destroy the shields and then the core). However, it can open up to fire 18 lasers. Every few times, it points its arms diagonally to make the lasers catch you off guard. This boss is difficult, but can be defeated with ease.