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{{Header Nav|game=Gradius|num=1}}
{{Header Nav|game=Gradius|num=0}}
{{Infobox
{{Infobox
|title=Gradius
|title=Gradius
|image=Gradius box.jpg
|japanese=グラディウス
|image=Gradius arcade flyer.jpg
|developer=[[Konami]]
|developer=[[Konami]]
|publisher=[[Konami]]
|publisher=[[Konami]]
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{{sys|vc}}{{jp|2006|December 2}}{{us|2007|January 8}}{{eu|2007|February 2}}{{au|2007|February 2}}
{{sys|vc}}{{jp|2006|December 2}}{{us|2007|January 8}}{{eu|2007|February 2}}{{au|2007|February 2}}
|genre=
|genre=
|platform=[[Arcade]], [[NES]], [[Commodore 64]], [[PlayStation]], [[Game Boy Advance]], [[Nintendo DS]], [[Wii Virtual Console]]
|platform=[[Arcade]], [[NES]], [[Commodore 64]], [[TurboGrafx-16]], NEC PC-8801, Sharp X1, [[Sharp X68000]], [[MSX]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Sinclair ZX Spectrum]], [[Wii Virtual Console]]
|ratings={{CERO|A}}{{ESRB|E}}{{PEGI|7}}{{OFLC|G}}
|ratings={{CERO|A}}{{ESRB|E}}{{PEGI|7}}{{OFLC|G}}
}}
}}
'''Gradius''' is a horizontally-scrolling shoot 'em up released by Konami in 1985 for video arcades. It was the first game to be released in the [[Category:Gradius|Gradius series]] and the second in terms of chronology ([[Scramble ]] being the first).  The arcade game was originally released in North America and Europe as '''Nemesis''', but was rereleased as part of the [[Gradius Collection]] as Gradius in these regions.
The title Gradius is thought to have been drived from the Latin term for a sword known as a "Gladius".  A Gladius was a short sword used in ancient Rome by legionaries.  However, the developers went with the name Gradius, and applied the name to the planet that was being attacked by invading aliens.  Designer Kengo Nakamura has said in an interview that the chosen name's similarity to Gladius was coincidental.
Gradius has the distinction of popularizing a weapon selection bar called "Power meter", based upon collecting capsules to 'purchase' additional weapons. The game was ported to many systems, most notably the [[NES]] (with this version also appearing on the [[Wii Virtual Console]]) and the Japanese [[MSX]] computer.  Gradius was so popular in Japan, that the Famicom version was released in the arcade using Nintendo's Vs. arcade hardware as '''Vs. Gradius'''.  Gradius is considered a highly influential game and has set the foundation for many other horizontal shooters for years to come.
<gallery>
Image:Gradius_FC_box.jpg|Famicom box
Image:Gradius_NES_box.jpg|NES box
Image:Gradius_PCE_box.jpg|PC-Engine cover
</gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Gradius_MSX_box.jpg|MSX box
Image:Gradius_box.jpg|C64 Gradius box
Image:Nemesis_C64_box.jpg|C64 Nemesis box
</gallery>


{{Continue Nav}}
{{Continue Nav}}
== Story ==
The planet Gradius is under attack from the invading Bacterion Corps.  Only one experimental stellar assault weapon is outfitted with enough fire power to take out the Bacterion Corps: The Vic Viper.  As the pilot of the Vic Viper, you must pilot it through wave after wave of Bacterion invasion, and reach their leader's base and destroy it, or the citizens of Gradius will be lost.
{{ToC}}
{{ToC}}


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[[Category:NES]]
[[Category:NES]]
[[Category:Commodore 64/128]]
[[Category:Commodore 64/128]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]
[[Category:TurboGrafx-16]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance]]
[[Category:Sharp X68000]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS]]
[[Category:MSX]]
[[Category:Wii Virtual Console]]
[[Category:Konami]]
[[Category:Konami]]
[[Category:1985]]
[[Category:1985]]
[[Category:May 29]]
[[Category:May 29]]
[[Category:Wii Virtual Console]]
[[Category:Single player]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]

Revision as of 22:33, 1 January 2008

Template:Infobox

Gradius is a horizontally-scrolling shoot 'em up released by Konami in 1985 for video arcades. It was the first game to be released in the and the second in terms of chronology (Scramble being the first). The arcade game was originally released in North America and Europe as Nemesis, but was rereleased as part of the Gradius Collection as Gradius in these regions.

The title Gradius is thought to have been drived from the Latin term for a sword known as a "Gladius". A Gladius was a short sword used in ancient Rome by legionaries. However, the developers went with the name Gradius, and applied the name to the planet that was being attacked by invading aliens. Designer Kengo Nakamura has said in an interview that the chosen name's similarity to Gladius was coincidental.

Gradius has the distinction of popularizing a weapon selection bar called "Power meter", based upon collecting capsules to 'purchase' additional weapons. The game was ported to many systems, most notably the NES (with this version also appearing on the Wii Virtual Console) and the Japanese MSX computer. Gradius was so popular in Japan, that the Famicom version was released in the arcade using Nintendo's Vs. arcade hardware as Vs. Gradius. Gradius is considered a highly influential game and has set the foundation for many other horizontal shooters for years to come.

Template:Continue Nav

Story

The planet Gradius is under attack from the invading Bacterion Corps. Only one experimental stellar assault weapon is outfitted with enough fire power to take out the Bacterion Corps: The Vic Viper. As the pilot of the Vic Viper, you must pilot it through wave after wave of Bacterion invasion, and reach their leader's base and destroy it, or the citizens of Gradius will be lost.

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