Play Parodius (E) Online

Parodius for the NES came out in 1990, a time when the console was packed with straightforward shooters and platformers. Konami, the developer, was already known for the serious Gradius series, but this release took a sharp turn into the absurd. It was a strange and welcome presence on the system, a game that didn't take itself seriously at all.

You control one of several oddball characters, like a penguin in a fighter jet or the Vic Viper ship with a giant moai head, flying through levels filled with sentient sushi, dancing octopuses, and other ridiculous enemies. Your main goal is to survive the chaotic stages and defeat the boss at the end of each one. The game uses a power-up system where you collect bells to cycle through various weapon upgrades, like lasers and options, and you can also grab a giant, screen-clearing bell for a moment of relief. The pacing is frantic, the difficulty is high, and the sheer unpredictability of the hazards keeps you on your toes. It feels like playing through a cartoon where anything can, and will, happen.