Play Gradius 3-mame Online

Gradius 3 came out in 1989, and playing it through MAME gives you a pretty authentic feel for that era's arcade scene. Konami developed it, and it's a classic example of the side-scrolling shooter genre that was popular at the time. The game doesn't try to reinvent the wheel; it just gives you a solid, challenging experience that feels right at home with other titles from that period.

You pilot the Vic Viper, a small but powerful spacecraft, and your goal is to survive through waves of enemy ships and massive bosses. The core of the gameplay involves collecting power-up capsules to enhance your ship's weapons, like lasers, missiles, and options (those little helper pods that follow you). The difficulty is relentless, with intricate enemy patterns and screen-filling attacks that demand quick reflexes and careful planning. It feels tense and rewarding when you finally break through a tough section after multiple attempts.