Play Cosmic Wars (Japan) [En by TransBRC v0.993] Online

Command your Gradius fleet in slow, tense battles where one wrong move leaves your Vic Viper stranded—those power-ups won’t save you now.

File size: 256 bytes

Game Overview

Cosmic Wars is this weird little NES gem that mashes up turn-based strategy with the Gradius universe—yeah, the same one with the Vic Viper and those iconic power-up bars. At first glance, it feels like someone took a board game and slapped spaceships on it, but there’s something oddly satisfying about moving your fleet across a grid while that classic Gradius soundtrack hums in the background.

You start with a handful of ships (some recognizable, some not) and take turns positioning them, attacking, or upgrading. The battery save is a lifesaver because matches can drag on longer than you’d expect—especially when the AI suddenly pulls off some sneaky flanking move. And that old Japanese tagline? Kinda true. This feels like the full-scale war the arcade shooter only hinted at.

It’s janky in that very NES way, but if you’ve ever wondered what Gradius would play like as a slow-burn strategy game, here’s your answer.