# List of Gradius media

Gradius is a video game series created by Japanese game designer Machiguchi Hiroyasu and published by Konami. The series debuted in arcades with Gradius in March 1985, renamed Nemesis for international versions. Games in the series have been released for several platforms, including arcade hardware, home video game consoles, handheld systems and mobile phones. The Gradius franchise consists of 16 games, including spin-offs, home conversions and compilations, as well as other forms of media such as toys, manga, soundtrack albums and literature. The series has been seen by critics as important and influential for the shoot'em up genre, inspiring games such as R-Type, Thunder Force and Darius, as well as setting the template for horizontal-scrolling shooters as a whole. It is Konami's most successful shooter series and one of the company's core franchises.
Gameplay in the series remains relatively consistent throughout each installment: players assume the role of a starship called the Vic Viper in its efforts to vanquish the Bacterian army before they destroy the planet Gradius. Being a horizontal-scrolling shooter, the player must destroy enemies and avoid both them and their projectiles. Some enemies leave behind power capsules when destroyed, which can be used to select one of seven different weapons on the player's "power meter", and collecting more of them will give access to stronger, more durable weapons. Common elements throughout the series include enemy "Moai" statues, additional playable ships, and boss rush segments.

## Video games

| Title | Details |
| Gradius Original release date(s): NA: 1985 (1985)JP: May 29, 1985 (1985-05-29)EU: September 1985 (1985-09) | Release years by system: 1985 – Arcade Famicom 2003 – Mobile |
| Gradius Original release date(s): NA: 1985 (1985)JP: May 29, 1985 (1985-05-29)EU: September 1985 (1985-09) | Notes: Released as Nemesis in Europe. Included as part of Gradius Deluxe Pack for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Microsoft Windows in 1996. Included as part of Gradius Collection for PlayStation Portable in 2006. Included as part of Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits for Nintendo DS in 2007. |
| Title | Details |
| Salamander Original release date(s): NA: August 1, 1988 (1988-08-01)JP: July 4, 1986 (1986-07-04)EU: 1986 (1986) | Release years by system: 1986 – Arcade Famicom |
| Salamander Original release date(s): NA: August 1, 1988 (1988-08-01)JP: July 4, 1986 (1986-07-04)EU: 1986 (1986) | Notes: Released as Life Force in North America. Included as part of the Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus compilation for PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1997. Included as part of Salamander Portable for PlayStation Portable in 2007. |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius 2 Original release date(s): JP: August 22, 1987 (1987-08-22) | Release years by system: 1987 – MSX |
| Gradius 2 Original release date(s): JP: August 22, 1987 (1987-08-22) | Notes: A remake entitled Nemesis '90 Kai was released in 1993 for the Sharp X68000 computer. Included as part of Salamander Portable for PlayStation Portable in 2007. |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius II Original release date(s): JP: March 24, 1988 (1988-03-24)EU: 1988 (1988) | Release years by system: 1988 – Arcade Famicom |
| Gradius II Original release date(s): JP: March 24, 1988 (1988-03-24)EU: 1988 (1988) | Notes: Released as Vulcan Venture in Europe. Ported for Famicom (the Japanese equivalent to a Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES) in Japan later the same year. Included as part of Gradius Deluxe Pack for PlayStation, Sega Saturn and Microsoft Windows in 1996. Included as part of Gradius Collection for PlayStation Portable in 2006. |
| Title | Details |
| Nemesis 3: The Eve of Destruction Original release date(s): JP: January 27, 1989 (1989-01-27) | Release years by system: 1988 – MSX |
| Nemesis 3: The Eve of Destruction Original release date(s): JP: January 27, 1989 (1989-01-27) | Notes: Known as Gofer no Yabō Episode II in Japan. |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius III Original release date(s): JP: December 11, 1989 (1989-12-11) | Release years by system: 1989 – Arcade |
| Gradius III Original release date(s): JP: December 11, 1989 (1989-12-11) | Notes: Ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991. While the original arcade version was never released outside Japan, it was included as part of Gradius III and IV for PlayStation 2 in 2000 and as part of Gradius Collection for PlayStation Portable in 2006. |
| Title | Details |
| Nemesis Original release date(s): JP: February 23, 1990 (1990-02-23)NA: April 1990 (1990-04)EU: 1991 (1991) | Release years by system: 1990 – Nintendo Game Boy |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius: The Interstellar Assault Original release date(s): JP: August 9, 1991 (1991-08-09)NA: January 1992 (1992-01)EU: 1992 (1992) | Release years by system: 1991 – Nintendo Game Boy |
| Gradius: The Interstellar Assault Original release date(s): JP: August 9, 1991 (1991-08-09)NA: January 1992 (1992-01)EU: 1992 (1992) | Notes: Released with the subtitle Return of the Hero in Europe and in North America as Gradius: The Interstellar Assault. |
| Title | Details |
| Salamander 2 Original release date(s): JP: January 1996 (1996-01) | Release years by system: 1996 – Arcade |
| Salamander 2 Original release date(s): JP: January 1996 (1996-01) | Notes: Included as part of Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus for PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1997. Included as part of Salamander Portable for PlayStation Portable in 2007. |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius Gaiden Original release date(s): JP: August 28, 1997 (1997-08-28) | Release years by system: 1997 – PlayStation |
| Gradius Gaiden Original release date(s): JP: August 28, 1997 (1997-08-28) | Notes: First title to be released exclusively for home consoles. Original version was never released in North America or Europe. Included as part of Gradius Collection for PlayStation Portable in 2006. |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius IV Original release date(s): JP: February 4, 1999 (1999-02-04) | Release years by system: 1999 – Arcade |
| Gradius IV Original release date(s): JP: February 4, 1999 (1999-02-04) | Notes: Allowed players for a limited time to submit scores to an Internet-based ranking system. Included as part of Gradius III and IV for PlayStation 2 in 2000 and Gradius Collection for PlayStation Portable in 2006. |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius Galaxies Original release date(s): NA: November 12, 2001 (2001-11-12)JP: January 17, 2002 (2002-01-17)EU: November 9, 2001 (2001-11-09) | Release years by system: 2001 – Game Boy Advance |
| Gradius Galaxies Original release date(s): NA: November 12, 2001 (2001-11-12)JP: January 17, 2002 (2002-01-17)EU: November 9, 2001 (2001-11-09) | Notes: Released as Gradius Advance in Europe, and as Gradius Generation in Japan. |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius V Original release date(s): NA: September 14, 2004 (2004-09-14)JP: July 22, 2004 (2004-07-22)EU: October 8, 2004 (2004-10-08) | Release years by system: 2004 – PlayStation 2 |
| Gradius V Original release date(s): NA: September 14, 2004 (2004-09-14)JP: July 22, 2004 (2004-07-22)EU: October 8, 2004 (2004-10-08) | Notes: The result of a collaboration between KCET and Treasure Co. Ltd. |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius NEO Original release date(s): JP: 2004 (2004) | Release years by system: 2004 – Japanese mobile phones |
| Gradius NEO Original release date(s): JP: 2004 (2004) | Notes: Released exclusively for mobile phones in Japan. |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius NEO Imperial Original release date(s): JP: July 2004 (2004-07) | Release years by system: 2004 – Japanese mobile phones |
| Gradius NEO Imperial Original release date(s): JP: July 2004 (2004-07) | Notes: Released exclusively for mobile phones in Japan. |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius ReBirth Original release date(s): NA: March 9, 2009 (2009-03-09)JP: September 2, 2008 (2008-09-02)EU: July 3, 2009 (2009-07-03) | Release years by system: 2008 – Wii |
| Gradius ReBirth Original release date(s): NA: March 9, 2009 (2009-03-09)JP: September 2, 2008 (2008-09-02)EU: July 3, 2009 (2009-07-03) | Notes: Released as a WiiWare game. An update was released for the game on the Wii Shop Channel free of charge. It improves some of the visuals and the scoring system, in addition to adding some new music and making changes to the levels. |

### Spin-offs

| Title | Details |
| Falsion Original release date(s): JP: October 21, 1987 (1987-10-21) | Release years by system: 1987 – Famicom Disk System |
| Title | Details |
| Parodius Original release date(s): JP: 1988 (1988) | Release years by system: 1988 - MSX 2006 - Mobile Phone 2010 - Wii Virtual Console 2013 - Wii U Virtual Console 2014 - Project EGG (Windows PC) |
| Parodius Original release date(s): JP: 1988 (1988) | Notes: Parody of the Gradius series. |
| Title | Details |
| Piccadilly Gradius Original release date(s): JP: 1989 (1989) | Release years by system: 1989 - Redemption game |
| Piccadilly Gradius Original release date(s): JP: 1989 (1989) | Notes: A redemption game of the Gradius series. |
| Title | Details |
| Cosmic Wars Original release date(s): JP: August 4, 1989 (1989-08-04) | Release years by system: 1989 – Nintendo Entertainment System |
| Cosmic Wars Original release date(s): JP: August 4, 1989 (1989-08-04) | Notes: Strategy game based on the Gradius series. |
| Title | Details |
| Parodius Da! Original release date(s): JP: 1990 (1990) | Release years by system: 1990 - Arcade |
| Title | Details |
| Fantastic Parodius Original release date(s): JP: 1994 (1994) | Release years by system: 1994 - Arcade |
| Fantastic Parodius Original release date(s): JP: 1994 (1994) | Notes: Known as Gokujō Parodius! ～Kako no Eikō o Motomete～ in Japan. |
| Title | Details |
| Jikkyō Oshaberi Parodius Original release date(s): JP: 1995 (1995) | Release years by system: 1995 - Super Famicom |
| Title | Details |
| Sexy Parodius Original release date(s): JP: March 1996 (1996-03) | Release years by system: 1996 - Arcade 1997 - PlayStation, Sega Saturn |
| Title | Details |
| Paro Wars Original release date(s): JP: 1997 (1997) | Release years by system: 1997 - PlayStation |
| Title | Details |
| Solar Assault Original release date(s): JP: July 1997 (1997-07)NA: 1997 (1997) | Release years by system: 1997 – Arcade |
| Solar Assault Original release date(s): JP: July 1997 (1997-07)NA: 1997 (1997) | Notes: An update titled Solar Assault Revised was released in late 1997. |
| Title | Details |
| Little Pirates Original release date(s): JP: 1998 (1998) | Release years by system: 1998 – Pachislot |
| Little Pirates Original release date(s): JP: 1998 (1998) | Notes: Released exclusively for Pachislot in Japan. |
| Title | Details |
| CR Parodius Da! Original release date(s): JP: 2000 (2000) | Release years by system: 2000 – Pachinko |
| CR Parodius Da! Original release date(s): JP: 2000 (2000) | Notes: Released exclusively for Pachinko in Japan. |
| Title | Details |
| CR Saikoro Tin Douty Original release date(s): JP: August 2004 (2004-08) | Release years by system: 2004 – Pachinko |
| CR Saikoro Tin Douty Original release date(s): JP: August 2004 (2004-08) | Notes: Released exclusively for Pachinko in Japan. This Pachinko featuring by Saikoro an girl was alive in the Japanese Ancient. Press the button and roll the dice when they leave three penguins, appears in Parodius Characters, Including Koitsu, Hiakru, Pentarou, Anna Barbowa and Meroowa and Moai Battleship. Contain the CR Parodius Da! BGM in this Video. |
| Title | Details |
| CR Gokujo Parodius Original release date(s): JP: May 2006 (2006-05) | Release years by system: 2006 – Pachinko |
| CR Gokujo Parodius Original release date(s): JP: May 2006 (2006-05) | Notes: Released exclusively for Pachinko in Japan. |
| Title | Details |
| Otomedius Original release date(s): JP: 2007 (2007) | Release years by system: 2007 – Arcade, Xbox 360 |
| Otomedius Original release date(s): JP: 2007 (2007) | Notes: Released exclusively for Arcade and Xbox 360 in Japan. |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius Arc: Legend of the Silver Wings Original release date(s): JP: September 2010 (2010-09) | Release years by system: 2010 – Japanese mobile phones |
| Gradius Arc: Legend of the Silver Wings Original release date(s): JP: September 2010 (2010-09) | Notes: Strategy game spinoff released exclusively for mobile phones in Japan. |
| Title | Details |
| Gokuraku Parodius Original release date(s): JP: September 2010 (2010-09) | Release years by system: 2010 – Pachislot |
| Gokuraku Parodius Original release date(s): JP: September 2010 (2010-09) | Notes: Released exclusively for Pachislot in Japan. |
| Title | Details |
| Otomedius Excellent Original release date(s): JP: 2011 (2011)NA: 2011 (2011) | Release years by system: 2011 – Xbox 360 |
| Title | Details |
| Gradius: The Slot Original release date(s): JP: July 2011 (2011-07) | Release years by system: 2011 – Pachislot |
| Gradius: The Slot Original release date(s): JP: July 2011 (2011-07) | Notes: Released exclusively for Pachislot in Japan. |

### Compilations and collections

The Gradius games have spawned a number of sequels. Being a prominent series in the shoot 'em up genre, the titles have become classics and thus have been repackaged and rebundled in several versions. These releases contain extra features and bonuses such as enhanced artwork, expanded soundtracks, and story materials.

#### Gokujō Parodius Da! Deluxe Pack

1994 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn
* Compilation of the arcade releases of Parodius Da! and Fantastic Parodius.
* Never released in North America.

#### Gradius Deluxe Pack

1996 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Windows
* Compilation of Gradius and Gradius II.
* Includes an introductory sequence created using Computer-generated imagery.
* Never released in North America or Europe.

#### Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus

1997 — PlayStation, Sega Saturn
* Compilation of the arcade releases of Salamander, Life Force and Salamander 2.
* Includes an introductory CGI sequence.
* Never released in North America or Europe.

#### Konami GB Collection

1997,2000 — Game Boy, Game Boy Color
* Never released in North America.

#### Gradius III and IV

2000 — PlayStation 2
* Compilation of Gradius III and Gradius IV.
* Includes an introductory CGI sequence.
* Released in Japan with the subtitle ~Fukkatsu no Shinwa~ (lit. "Myth of Revival").

#### Gradius Collection

2006 — PlayStation Portable
* Compilation of Gradius, Gradius II, Gradius III, Gradius IV and Gradius Gaiden.
* Released as Gradius Portable in Japan.
* Includes music and movie galleries with content from previous console releases.

#### Parodius Portable

2007 — PlayStation Portable
* Compilation of Parodius, Parodius Da!, Fantastic Parodius, Jikkyō Oshaberi Parodius and Sexy Parodius.

#### Salamander Portable

2007 — PlayStation Portable
* Compilation of the arcade releases of Salamander, Life Force, Salamander 2, Nemesis 2 and Xexex.

## Merchandise

* Gradius Board Game
* Parodius Plush, Grape, Purple, Blue and Pirate Penguin
* Parodius Da! Pencil Board by Shitajiki
* Gradius Portable Cleaner
* Otomedius Pillow
* Paro Wars the Board Game (1998)
* MSX Salamander (Keychain)
* Gokujo Parodius (Mini-Notebook and Keychain Issue) from Gacha
* Gokujo Parodius (Cards) from Card Jan
* Goku Paro Free (極パロフリー, Goku parofurī)
* Otomedius Cellphone
* Otomedius Pin Aoba Anoa
* Gradius Pins
* Otomedius Big Doll
* Otomedius Keyrings
* Otomedius Action Figure