Play Gradius (J) Online

I first played Gradius on the NES back in 1986, a Konami release that stood out among the early shooters on the system. It was a time when side-scrolling space games were becoming more common, but this one had a particular polish and depth that kept me coming back.

You control the Vic Viper, a small but powerful spacecraft, navigating horizontally through waves of enemy ships and intricate environmental hazards. The goal is simple: survive each stage and destroy the core at the end of every level. What makes Gradiation special is its power-up system; you collect capsules to add options (floating orbs that mirror your shots), increase speed, or equip missiles and lasers. The pacing is deliberate, almost methodical, and the difficulty is unforgiving, demanding precise movement and strategic power-up choices. It feels tense and rewarding when you finally break through a tough section with a well-upgraded ship.