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About this product
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Players take control of the InterDimensional Vic Viper ship in a solitary attempt to repel an overwhelming invasion force from the planet Bacterian. The rest of the United Gradius World Forces were destroyed prior to Gradius III because they were "badly outnumbered." So now you're alone, in an attempt to destroy all who dare stand in your way.
Gradius III offers a standard One-Player mode, an alternating Two-Player mode, and an Options screen to customize key features. Gradius IV adds a Boss Attack mode, where players go through a timed series of battles with the bosses found throughout the game. Your ship is fully powered-up during the mode, regardless of how many times you may die.
The Vic Viper can be powered up through speed-ups, "double" shots that add shots and/or potential directions to fire in, various types of missiles, lasers, and "option" fighters. Option fighters are indestructible orange globes that follow the Vic Viper and add firepower. Multiple levels of difficulty are also included, as well as the option to select which stage to begin on.
A compiliation of two great games in the Gradius series
Gradius III and IV, is a release of two near arcade perfect ports of the games with the same names, but include some additional extras not found in the original arcade counterparts.
Gradius being one of my favorite series. This was an excellent addition to the collection as this compilation is the only way to get a home release that are arcade faithful of both Gradius III and IV.
It brings the experience home without the hours of throwing quarters away but retains the enjoyment.
For those unfamiliar with this series. Gradius is a horizontal scrolling space shooter where you fight off hordes of enemy alien ships.
Unlike other games of this type Gradius has a unique power up system in which you collect these orange colored capsules which move you along this gauge that looks like this
SPEED | MISSILE | DOUBLE | LASER | OPTION | ? | ! |
Each power up collected will move you along the grid one space at a time, highlighting the selected power up.
SPEED increases the speed and rate of movement of your ship by a level (to a max of 5)
MISSILE adds support missile fire to your standard guns.
DOUBLE changes your normal guns into a Tail Gun or Vertical shot
LASER changes your normal guns into a penetrating laser beam.
OPTION adds a multiple that mimics the movement and fire of your ship to assist you (you can get up to 4 of these)
the ! and ? have varying effects depend on what you select during gameplay.
To those are a fan of classic arcade games, this may be up your alley, as the 2D Space Shooter genre otherwise known as Shoot Em Up abbreviated as Shmup for short as a whole is a dying breed as new titles like this are few and far between being released.
That isn't to say that this game is rare, but it's more uncommon because it's discontinued because the fact it's no longer in production nor in circulation in major store chains.
However it's relatively easy to obtain a copy on Ebay or Half.com for a relatively fair price.
It's a decent game through and through and worth any shmup fan or classic arcade fan to own amongst their collection.
A worthy purchase in this regard.Read full review
Probably the hardest shoot em ups one will ever play.
Before buying Gradius III and IV for the PS2 I already had Gradius Collection for the PSP which includes these titles. Overall the PS2 controls are much, much better than the PSP counterpart and the PS2 has two player support.
Because Gradius III is programmed with no continues, one can continue off from the stage select and still make progress (unlike Gradius V). Gradius IV lacks this option, but has a boss rush in its place.
Overall both games are an excellent addition to any game library, just don't be surprised when Gradius III is annoyingly difficult due to its design. Play Gradius IV first if you haven't done so.
This PS2 game combines two games: Gradius III and Gradius IV. Most games had their first taste of Gradius III with the Super Nintendo version. If you've played that, and conquered it, you probably think you're pretty hot stuff. Get your hands on this port of the original arcade version, and prepare to be OWNED. It does have a high level of difficulty, so if you're not familiar with the SHMUP (Space Shoot 'em Up) genre of game, this is not a good place to start! You'll also notice a level that isn't in the SNES version where you fly the Vic Viper (your ship) through a 3D tunnel. This was Konami's first (and thankfully) only attempt to do a 3D level; it doesn't add much to the game. Gradius IV marks a shift in approach: the graphics are much more fluid, but less... realistic. It's also quite challenging, but still lots of fun. Gradius games (with the exception of the spectacular Gradius V) have a level involving Moai (Easter Island head statues), and this one has to be the best of them all.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: I played this game on my PS3, which has the capability to play the old PS2 titles. When I was researching buying this game, I found out that there is one small compatibility issue with this particular game: there's a CGI movie that plays before the actual games start, and while impressive to watch, it has a glitch that prevents the entire movie from playing. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT THE GAME PLAY AT ALL! If you buy one, and play it on your PS3, and the movie messes up, DON'T WORRY. Don't send it back, the game works just fine and ALL of them will do this.
If you like fast twitch gaming, and remember the good ol' days of video games, but don't feel like emptying your pockets of quarters, pick this one up. It might frustrate you initially (especially Gradius III, it IS VERY HARD to start!), but it will hone your hand-eye in no time!Read full review
A very hard game to beat even on Easy. Although, its still worth buying, a challenge is also a good thing. Any true gamer can play and beat this if they try. The first game on it, III is the arcade version though. Its similar to III for SNES but its different. So don't go getting rid of your SNES version.
If you ever played Gradius back in the day you'll love this. Disc has two versions...III and IV and they both rock! Awesome weapons and powerups and extras not found in the arcade versions. Fun stuff.
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