Category:Gradius: Difference between revisions

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;''[[Nemesis 3: The Eve of Destruction|Gofer no Yabou Episode II]]'' (1988):The fourth game of the series to be released for the MSX platform. "Gofer no Yabō" (GOFERの野望) is the subtitle of ''Gradius II'' (the arcade game).

;''[[Gradius III]]'' (1989):This title introduced the Weapon Edit method of selecting weapons, which allowed players to create their own weapon array by choosing power-ups from a limited pool of available weapon types (some weapons in the preset weapon types are not selectable in Weapon Edit mode, although it includes weapons not in any presets). The SNES/SFC version is not a very accurate port; levels, enemies, and weapons were altered. For example, two entire stages were cut out in the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]] version: a 3D stage which involved avoiding hitting cave walls from a unique first-person perspective behind the Vic Viper, and a crystal stage in which the Vic Viper was challenged by crystal blocks blocking off areas like a maze. Also, the order of stages was changed. The final stage in the SNES version was based on an early stage in the arcade version. The original arcade version's ending had the main boss in a mechanical setting, then going through a speed-up zone to escape the enemy base, where the SNES version had the player simply avoiding the final enemy's simple and slow-moving attack patterns with no challenge afterward. However, the SNES version introduced the Rotate and Formation Option types, both of which were reused in ''Gradius V''. The difficulty and major boss tactics were toned down to make it easier. The original arcade version is available for PlayStation 2 bundled with ''Gradius IV'' (''Gradius III and IV''), although the port has some slight differences from the original.

;''[[Gradius Gaiden]]'' (1997):The first ''Gradius'' produced exclusively for a home console. This is also the only ''Gradius'' game (other than ''Gofer no Yabō Episode II'' on the MSX) where players can select which ship they wish to use. ''Gradius Gaiden'' includes the Lord British Space Destroyer from ''Salamander'' and two (relative) newcomers: the Jade Knight and the Falchion β (a variation of the ship from the [[Family Computer Disk System|Famicom Disk System]] game ''Falsion''). It was originally released for the PlayStation console and ported in 2006 as part of ''Gradius Collection'' for the [[PlayStation Portable]].

;''[[Gradius IV Fukkatsu]]'' (1999):Released in Japanese arcades as ''Gradius IV Fukkatsu'' ("fukkatsu" (復活) being Japanese for "revival", since it was the first arcade ''Gradius'' game in 10 years, following 1989's ''Gradius III''). IV lacked the Weapon Edit function of its predecessor, but it had a bigger array of weaponry than the original ''Gradius'' games. Weapons exclusive to this game included the Vertical Mine missile (which detonates in a vertical line shortly after deployment) and the Armor Piercing laser (a shorter-ranged, more powerful laser). Released on the PS2 in a compilation pack together with the arcade version of ''Gradius III'' (''Gradius III and IV'').

;''[[Gradius Collection]]'' (2006):A ''Gradius'' compilation for [[PlayStation Portable]]. This compilation contains the classic versions of Gradius I-IV with a few bonus features thrown in as well as the first North American release of ''Gradius Gaiden''.