![]() ![]() Gradius is also known for its level design that included obstacles within the level attempting to defeat you along with the enemies. Levels would progress with a few checkpoints followed by an ending boss battle. Each boss would have a central “core” that would glow in various colors (usually blue) and require you to shoot at in order to defeat. You control the spaceship named the Vic Viper against a horde of enemies. The title is not a mistranslation of “Gladius” as many think, but rather the planet that the conflict takes place on (which for whatever reason the planet is also known as Nemesis and the names are interchanged in the series).Ĭhilean Moai heads, a staple for the Gradius series Although it was exported from Japan with this new name, by 1986 the game was back to being called Gradius and thanks to several home ports with the same name it was one of the easiest name transitions of the era. If you were in the arcades in 1985, you may not have been familiar with Gradius as the title for the classic game, you may know it better as Nemesis. ![]() Regardless of the roots or actual history, Scramble is no doubt an important title for both shmups and gaming. Then in Gradius Portable, a book published on Konami shooter history, Scramble is listed separate from the Gradius series. According to Gradius Galaxies (GBA) and Gradius Breakdown (an amazing documentary on the Gradius series found only in pre-ordered versions of Gradius V), Scramble is the first title in the Gradius series. Its sequel was a helicopter game, Super Cobra, that was on just about every home console/computer in the 80s. As for the connection to the Gradius series, it appears even Konami can’t seem to make up its mind about the title’s place. Kaufman, 669 F.2d 852, where it was determined that IP protected sounds and images instead of simply the code. In addition it was responsible for a strong court decision on intellectual property (IP) in Stern Electronics, Inc. It was one of the earliest arcade games to integrate dual core processing, using two Z80s and dual sound chips. Scramble did originate in arcade form but also found ports on the C64 and Vectrex and is significant for a number of reasons aside from the obvious Gradius connections. After completing this mission the game restarts, this time enemies are faster and more difficult, and continues in a loop. If you manage to pilot your ship through all six “stages” (it’s one continuous level) you will eventually end up by a tall building with the word “Konami” across the top and your goal is to destroy the core within. You can fire single bullets with each button press, a la other Gradius titles, as well as firing missiles at the ground, another series staple. The gameplay has you piloting the spaceship Jet through rocky tunnels and landscapes avoiding rockets coming up from the ground, planted space stations and enemies flurrying across the screen. Those hoping to find yet another excuse to purchase something in Game Room on Xbox Live and PC will be pleased to find that Scramble is available via the service. Nowadays the list of titles is quite long, but after recently playing the series over last week, I still find the original title (not necessarily first in the series) to be the most significant.Įven I was surprised to see that many consider Konami’s 1981 critically acclaimed arcade title Scramble to be the genesis of what would later become Gradius. Like all shmups, it does bury its roots in the early days of the arcade and to me is still on that short list of video games you must play before you die. I grew up knowing this series on the NES, although I am told that in Japan and Europe it has a more significant presence on the MSX. Despite critics rightfully complaining that each new title in the series seems to harken back to the original, I feel it is the series staples that keep dedicated fans and strong sales. Not only that, the series is responsible for a few offshoots including my favorite shmup of all time, Salamander ( Life Force in US), and the Parodius series. In that time the series has graced almost every console and portable that has come out, although recent iterations have been predominantly collections. ![]() The Gradius series has withstood the test of time with the first technical iteration in 1981 and the most recent actual game released in 2008 ( Gradius ReBirth on Wii). ![]() It’s pronounced simply how it is spelled. Okay people, I’ve confirmed this with Konami, the pronunciation is “grah-dee-us”, not “gray-dee-us”, “grah/grey-die-oos” or any other awkward pronunciation. Responsible for plenty of attributes to the shmup genre, notably the space aesthetic, but the most significant thing I remember about the title “Gradius” is how often people mispronounced it. ![]()
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