http://fly.to/gradius/

Rob 12/10/00 (Gradius III and IV)
That's about it for the instructions. There's not much this time around, unfortunately... but at least we got it!!!

Rob 08/04/00
After reading through the stories on the site, I've decided to go ahead and fix all of the spelling errors that I made accidentaly. So here's the corrected US Instruction Manuals of Gradius:

Rob 07/01/00
Here are the official US released stories of Gradius, taken directly from the US instruction manuals, spelling errors included. Keep in mind that Konami of America did change the stories around somewhat for some of the games, and also "dumbed down" the stories a little in an attempt to make it more fun for kids to read (the worst example is Nemesis for Gameboy, which just throws out the whole Gradius story and replaces it with something stupid - funny thing is, at the end of the game, it tells you to climb in the Warp Rattler and go fight the enemies again). I've also included info on the Vic Viper, weaponry and the different levels.

Starton:2000/12/13

NES GRADIUS | NES LIFEFORCE | GB NEMESIS

SNES GRADIUS III | GB GRADIUS | PS2 GRADIUS III AND IV NEW!

Gradius - NES - 1987

THE STORY

The planet Gradius, a peaceful Earth-like world, is now under all-out space attack from their old nemesis, beings from the sub-space star cluster of Bacterion. The people of Gradius are in danger of being completely destroyed by the amoeboid Bacterions.

To save them, you have just launched the prototype hyper-space fighter, the Warp Rattler. The entire galaxy awaits your duel to the death with the evil Bacterions.

Your objective is the Bacterion superfortress, Xaerous. To reach this, you must steal the enemy power capsules along your route and boost the Warp Rattler's hyper-powers.

You are the last hope for the gentle people of Gradius! You will need all your courage and concentration to win. Get ready to blast off!

HOW TO PLAY

Your mission is to pilot the Warp Rattler into enemy space and destroy Xaerous. You are the only one left who can return peace to the planet Gradius.

It is necessary for you to avoid enemy fire and destroy the hoards of alien Bacterion craft that will come out to attack you as you proceed through the various stages of the game.

GRADIUS can be played either by a single player or by two players. If there are players, the play alternates from player to player.

A single player can use either Control (1) or Control (2). When two players are competing, use both Control (1) and Control (2).

POWER BOOSTING

Each time you capture a red-colored enemy power cpasule, a series of power boost selection indicators will light up at the bottom of your screen. When a desired indicator lights up, hit the power boost button (Button B) to activate that power boost.

1. SPEED UP: Increases your speed.
2. MISSILE: Equips you with air-to-surface missiles.
3. DOUBLE: Equips you with double beam cannon; effective against enemy attacks from above.
4. LASER: Powers the Warp rattler with a high-penetration laser beam cannon.
5. OPTION: Doppel-ganger capability option. The spins off a ghost-like twin of the Warp Rattler, the Sidewinder. The Sidewinder has all the original firepower of the Warp rattler and follows you in formation during your attacks. You may create a maximum of two Sidewinders. The Sidewinder duplicates the Warp rattler's original firepower and has "MISSILE", "DOUBLE", and "LASER" attack capabilities.
6. ? (FORCE FIELD BARRIER) - This power boost effect equips the Warp rattler with a force field Barrier, making you invulnerable to enemy attack. When the Barrier turns red, this maens that you only have enough force-field power to protect you from one more attack.

NOTE: You may have multiple power boost effects at the same time; however, the double beam cannon and the laser cannot be used together.

UNDER ATTACK FROM THE SPACE INVADERS

Stage 1: The Volcanic Stage - Originally this was a green and peaceful satellite. But now, under the attack of the Xaerous space fortress, it has been transformed into an inferno-like advance base for the alien Xaerous.

Stage 2: The Stonehenge Stage - This is an artificially constructed asteroid belt created as a galactic fighter base.

Stage 3: The Moai Stage - The Moai are great stone heads that resemble the old stone statues of Easter Island on Earth. They were created by an unknown race eons ago in the image of the patron saints of the galaxy. The Xaerous forces have utilized these as bases for their deadly ion guns.

Stage 4: The Inverted Space Volcano Stage - Like Stage 1, this is an enemy planetoid advance base, but this time up and down have been reversed.

Stage 5: The Antennoid Stage - Giant living tenatacle-like antennae, floating through space! If they sense the presence of another living being, they shoot out deadly poison capsules.

Stage 6: The Amoeboid Stage - Huge amoeba-like organisms from the unknown reaches of space. They are primitive but have an incredibly strong life-force and will pursue relentlessly any life form that invades their living space.

Stage 7: The Xaerous Superfortress Stage - The ultimate stage of the game! This fortress lies at the very heart of the nerve center of the Bacterion Empire and is controlled by a complex biocomputer.

THE WARP RATTLER

The galaxy's most sophisticated starship. Pride of the Gradius Defense Forces! This tiny craft has been jam-packed with amazing armament and speed capabilities!

VIC VIPER

MODEL BP-456X STAR FIGHTER
DESIGN KONAMI
LENGTH: 49.5 ft WIDTH 51.0 ft
HEIGHT: 20.0 ft WEIGHT 38t
ENGINE: IMPULSE POWER DRIVE
WEAPONS: BEAM, LASER, MISSILE, 2 OPTIONS

Life Force - NES - 1988

THE BIRTH OF ZELOS COULD MEAN THE DEATH OF ZILLIONS

In a remote quadrant of the universe there was hatched a hideous creature. His proud parents, Ma & Pa Deltoid, named their only son Zelos, which in alien lingo means "one mean son of a gun".

As Zelos grew into an adult space monster, his appetite turned ravenous, his temper became ruthless, and his name proved an understatement. It didn't take long for Zelos to leave the nest and go out on his own, devouring everything in sight, including three galaxies, four hundred planets, two trillion lifeforms and a side order of stars.

Then your innocent galaxy appeared on Zelos's menu, and he chowed on an entree of roast Gradius, with the planet Latis for dessert. Now, your only chance these civilizations have of escaping from his digestive tract lies with you and your star-fighting partner.

But your odds look pretty grim, for Zelos is full of floating armada terror zones, which are cities that have become a part of Zelos after being eaten. Each of these zones is loaded with tremendous firepower and unbelieveable destructive surprises. You'll also find that Zelos's heart and soul are positioned safely behind his traitor fleet.

That means you'll have to devastate the six Terror Zones and blast away their grotesque mayors before reaching Zelos's main artery and putting an end to his eating binge.

HOW TO PLAY

Soaring on the fringes of the Gradian Galaxy in an ultra-blasting, warp-speed starship, your mission is to destroy Zelos at all costs. Success won't comeeasy, though, as you dodge thousands of alien attackers, utilizing your tremendous flying skills. You better have an itchy trigger finger as well, because you'll gain bonus weapons by wasting certain enemies, capturing their pods and then powering-up.

Life Force can be played by either one or two starfighters. If two play, you fight as a team to save the galaxy. To pilot the Vic Viper from the planet Gradius, choose Controller (1) when playing a one player or two player mode. To pilot the RoadBritish Space Destroyer from the planet Latis, choose Controller (2) when playing a two player mode.

THE STARSHIPS OF HEROES

The Vic Viper - Constructed at the cost of 60 trillion Gradian dollars, the Vic Viper is the pride of all Gradius. A pilot can pull 600 G's at a warp speed of 9 in this baby and still feel like he is lounging in a La-Z-Boy.

The RoadBritish Space Destroyer - The people of Latis have always been known for their wondrous engineering skills, and the RoadBritish Space Destroyer proves it. In fact, this is the only starship in the galaxy to have beaten the Vic Viper during time trials.

CHOOSE FROM A VARIETY OF WEAPONS AND FORCE FIELDS

SPEED UP: Allows you to manuever more quickly.
MISSILES: Enables you to fire twin Destructo missiles.
RIPPLE LASER: Wipes out enemies who are attacking from scattered positions.
PLUTONIC LASER: We're talking serious destruction capabilities with this sucker!
OPTION: This gives your ship up to two extra attackers. If you're teamed with a friend, you can have two Options between you.
FORCE FIELD: When activated this gives you awesome protection against enemy fire.

THE TERROR ZONES (also including THE ENEMY MAYORS AND THEIR MIGHTY GOVERNOR)

Stage 1: Cell Stage 1 - The first terror zone you'll encounter comes from the Phenom Galaxy. Awaiting you here is the dreaded death hand, a menace that has proven fatal to less skillful starfighters.
STAGE 1 MAYOR - Golem

Stage 2: Volcanic Stage - Terror Zone II is a disaster area from the Baltic Galaxy. This is one of Zelos's favorite allies, since he gets his jollies having molten lava spit in your face.
STAGE 2 MAYOR - Intruder

Stage 3: The Prominence Stage - Scorching fire creatures rage out of control in Terror Zone III. And out of the hundreds of previous pilots, only a handful have blasted outta here without getting their tails burned.
STAGE 3 MAYOR - Cruiser Tetron

Stage 4: Cell Stage 2 - Tiny life forms from the Ithaca Galaxy roam Terror Zone IV. It's here that you'll also be pitted against ferocious internal cells that'll zap you when you least expect it.
STAGE 4 MAYOR - Giga

Stage 5: Temple Stage - Oh no! The ancient city of temples from the planet Latis has turned against you. What a heartbreaker. Whoever is piloting the RoadBritish will be flying low, as he'll have to blast these expatriates.
STAGE 5 MAYOR - Tutankhamanattack

Stage 6: Mechanical City Stage - Zelos's final barrier is naturally his most destructive. If you make it past here you'll have only the mighty one's heart to destroy. For the sake of millions, let's hope you survive.
STAGE 6: THE MIGHTY GOVERNOR - Zelos's heart and soul

Nemesis - Gameboy - 1989

GET IN YOUR BAD STARFIGHTER AND WAIL!

Your worst nightmare's come true. The evil King Nemesis is back, and he has a taste for blood. YOUR blood! As chief of the Interplanetary Police, you thought you put this high dean of destruction away for good. But he's out on bad behavior and wants your hide.

Locked safely away in his hideous hideway, he's dispatched a band of ruthless rapscallions to do his bidding for him. But before you go crying home to mommy, you still have one more chance to teach this terrible tyrant that crime doesn't pay.

That chance: the Proteus 911, the most technologically sophisticated flying machine of death ever invented. Strap on your seat belt and power-up with speed burners, lasers, missiles, force fields and dual devices of destruction. Then start blasting these galactic gunmen and their cosmic crime lord.

And if by chance you have more lives than a cat, there's a very good chance your picture will end up on a box of alien cereal, and you'll be crowned the new mayor of Moronica.

KEY TO POWER-UP CAPSULES

SPEED BURNER (S) - You can increase your speed up to a maximum of Warp 3.
MISSILES (M) - You can equip yourself with up to two All-Terrain Attack Missiles.
DOUBLE GUN (D) - This directional beam lets you fire at scum above and below you at the same time.
LASER (L) - Laser lets you blast your way right through things. (That'll show the King!) *NOTE* You cannot use the Double Gun and Laser at the same time.
OPTION (O) - This equips you with an extra Destruction Device that has power equal to the Proteus 911. (Only two Destruction Devices per ship, please!)
FORCE FIELD (F) - This barrier will protect you from enemy firepower, but is destroyed if hit three times.

FIVE SLAM-BANG STAGES TO START FROM

Stage 1: Carnage Canyon
Stage 2: Pyramids of Pyromania
Stage 3: Lair of the Planetary Pirates
Stage 4: Den of Doom and Gloom
Stage 5: Sacrificial Sarcophagus of Saturn

THE ALIEN CRIME MASTERS

Stage 1 Boss: Intergalactic Super Force
Stage 2 Boss: Venus Destructo
Stage 3 Boss: Hit Alien
Stage 4 Boss: Assassination Tower
Stage 5 Boss: King Nemesis's Ultimate Hideout

Gradius III - SNES - 1991

FROM WHENCE IT CAME

In the darkest quadrant of space there churns a vortex of Bad Vibes. Bacterion, it has been called, is a malignant mass that has spawned all that is wicked in the universe. Feeding on the suffering of the innocent, it moves like a germ throughout the Galaxy, manifesting itself in unspeakably hideous forms. In the past, Bacterion has only had the power to rear its ugly head on a few isolated occasions. That is, until now.

Being a good Gradian, your history class in primary school was the first place you heard of the ancient Heroic Missions to fight Bacterion. You even got a toy Warp Rattler for your fifth birthday. Those were the days when it was just a chapter in your history book.

History is important to the people of Gradius, as is all the higher pursuits of knowledge, art and music. Gradius has reached a renaissance. Your people are known throughout the universe as a good and peace loving nation. Who could have known that it would come down to this.

After a heart wrenching journey through the Gradian Desert Lands, you have come to terms with your fate. It is your mission to save all that is good in the universe. You must defeat the diabolical entities that plague Gradius and the surrounding planets. Fare thee well, brave warrior.

HOW TO PLAY

The people of Gradius see you as their last hope for peace and harmony. They've tapped into the entire Federation Reserves to build your 100 zillion dollar starship, christened M.A.X., which stands for Modulated Artillery Exalter. Like its prototype, the Warp Rattler, only a pilot of the highest caliber can make maximum use of its power resources.

Select your ensemble of weaponry and then launch headlong into the enemy infested darkness. You will find that certain weapons are best suited to different conflicts that you will encounter. As Captain, you will use clever tactics in engaging the appropriate weapons to outblast the beasts.

Defeat the nasty Mayors of each of ten treacherous Terror Zones by penetrating the very core of their beings. Once you conquer a mayor, you'll be able to access the secret bonus area. This will be a good place to revitalize your weaponry.

You start with a fleet of three M.A.X. ships to use one at a time. You can receive additional ships by reaching certain point totals. If the enemy brings your ship down, you will re-choose your arsenal before going on to the next ship.

When you start again, you will find yourself in the same battle area you were in just before you lost it. If the enemy brings down all your ships, the game is over, but all is not lost.

You will have three more CREDITS that allow you to continue your game with a fleet of three ships each time. Again, if you choose to continue, you will return to the same battle area where you left off.

You can either fly solo, or take turns defending the galaxy with a partner. Complete for the high score for extra alien annihilating incentive. Be aggressive and speed right into you enemy's face to let him know you can't be intimidated. And most of all, never forget that you are a Gradian.

HYPER POWER BOOSTING

Your M.A.X. starts out equipped only with an Xtron Cannon, but you can add the weapons from your arsenal throughout your mission. The Weapons Status Gauge at the bottom of the screen lights up which weapon in the arsenal is engaged. In order to boost the gauge to more powerful weapons you must capture the enemies' Red Power Pods. (Blue Pods activate All Destroy, which obliterates all enemies on the screen, turning them into anti-matter before they even know what hit them.) Each Red Pod captured boosts the gauge by one weapon. To activate the currently engaged weapon press your Power-up Button. You can utilize several weapons at once, but you can't use LASER and DOUBLE at the same time. LASER, DOUBLE, ? and ! can only be activated once. The OPTION weapon can be activated four times, but watch out because there's a crazed crustacean out there who can snatch one or two of your OPTION weapons if you're not careful. Fortunately, you can regain a stolen OPTION by once again boosting your Weapon Status Gauge to OPTION and engaging it.

THE HIT LIST OF ROCK'EM SOCK'EM WEAPONS

EDIT MODE WEAPONS:

SPEED UP
Increases your atmosphere ripping speed.

MISSILES
Standard: Drops missiles that skim across the ground.
Hawk Wind: Shoots missiles upward if you're in the top half of the screen or downward if you're in the bottom half.
2-Way Back: Shoots down and backwards simultaneously.
Small Spread: Compact but still knocks out creeps on contact.

DOUBLE
Vertical: Takes care of anything you've got hanging over your head with a straight up cannon.
Standard: Adds another cannon at a 450 degree angle upward.
Tail Gun: Nail those bothersome tailgaters with a rear cannon.
Back: Adds a back 450 angled zinger.

LASER
Twin: Double the destruction, double the fun.
Ripple: Unleash rings of destruction that knock out enemies who are attacking from scattered positions.
Energy: Tap the Shot Button for small bursts or hold it down to release bigger bursts.
Cyclone: The longer you hold down the Shot Button, the longer the deadly laser beams get.

OPTION
Standard: You can tack up to four clone starships that will shadow your every move.
Snake: Same as Standard, but with slithering movement.
Formation: Create a precision flying team, with up to two OPTIONS above and two OPTIONS below.
Rotater: Rock 'n' roll with a shadow ship that revolves around your M.A.X.

? (BONUS)
Shield: Provides two shields in front for two-fisted defense.
Force Field: Wraps you in a steely security blanket when things get too scary.
Rolling Shield: A rotating enemy blockade that'll put you on a roll.
Reduce: Less of you is more when you shrink down to avoid enemy attack.

! (SUPER BONUS)
Speed Down: When you have no need for speed, you can just slow down a bit.
Remain Option: Enables you to use your remaining M.A.X. Starships as OPTIONS (up to four).
Full Barrier: Bring your barriers and shields back up to full size after they've been shrunken by enemy attack.
Mega Crush: Blows away all enemies and bullets on the screen. Not exactly a love tap.

TYPE SELECT WEAPONS:

Same weapons as in EDIT MODE except there are no ? or ! weapons, and the following weapons replace others:

2 Way Missile: Shoots up and down simultaneously.
Spread Bomb: Drops to the ground and blows enemies and obstructions to kingdom come.
Photon Torpedo: Drops down and runs along the ground picking off small but annoying enemies.
Standard Laser: Hold down the shot button to give a powerful zap to pesky passers-by.

THE TERROR ZONES: A CARNIVAL OF CARNAGE

Stage 1: The Dunes Of Doom - Once the galaxy's wondrous hanging gardens, now infested with creatures that failed to water the plants, transforming them into a hanging desert.

Stage 2: The Carbonation Zone - You've got big bubbles, big troubles in an atmosphere filled with Toxic Bubbles and deadly adversaries.

Stage 3: Lava Them And Leave Them Zone - Don't be decieved by innocent looking space weeds. Camouflaged enemy battle stations tend to drop in unannounced. Make it past them and tempers will really flare up. We're talking molten nightmare!

Stage 4: Pop Rock Monolith Zone - Vandals have desecrated one of the galaxy's most sacred relics, the Great Stone Monoliths of prehistoric Easter Island. Now they are nothing more than Death Ring missile launchers.

Stage 5: Light My Fire Zone - You'll really be under the broiler as you make your way through lashing flame tunnels and past satellite-sized scorpions.

Stage 6: Bacterion's Garden - This is not the place to stop and smell the roses. These poisonous posies will try to turn you into life-sized plant food!

Stage 7: The Greased Lightning Round - You'll be catapulted through a labyrinth of electronic circuitry which houses the Evil One's data bank control.

Stage 8: Mayors On Parade - Don't expect any live TV coverage for this grotesque gallery of gargantuan Grand Marshalls. Stick to your guns and you'll be the one to rain on the parade.

Stage 9: The Gauntlet - No benevolent mortal being has made it past this horrific monstrocity yet. The brave ones who have tried have either returned as complete basket cases or have never been heard from again.

Stage 10: Bacterion's Lair - Here you will face your ultimate nemesis. You must destroy the cold black heart of Bacterion himself. If you do, you're sure to recieve a hero's welcome home. If you don't, we can all just kiss life as we know it good-bye.

Gradius: The Interstellar Assault
- Gameboy - 1992

1,000,000:1 (THE LATEST ODDS ON YOUR SURVIVAL)

All is silent, black, cold. The attack has ended, and the spewed alien bile on your flight suit has gotten crusty. Your fingers twitch like the pincers on a fly, as if they were still wrapped around your ship's fire button. Your eyes dart back and forth searching the heavens for more enemy fighters, but the only things looming overhead are the smoldering stars which were destroyed during Bacterion's thirty light-years war. A drop of icy sweat rolls down your forehead and a frigid pain shoots up your leg. The chill comforts you, since it confirms you're still alive.

BLAM!BLAM!BLAM!BLAM!BLAM!

Fire suddenly erupts on all sides of your ship, jolting your head and smashing it into the gravity shield. You shake of the impact in time to see a swarm of doomships closing in on you. Warning signals illuminate your cockpit, but it's too late. They've used their cloaking device to initiate the ultimate surprise attack. Your only hope now is to escape into the Akarian Asteroid Field, where you can regain your senses and hopefully survive long enough to outflank and then reengage the enemy. You fire your thrusters and rocket toward the risky sanctuary, hoping it's your lucky day.

GAME MODE (AKA: YOUR INTERGALACTIC DOOM SENTENCE)

Intruder Missile Options
Normal: Missiles seeks out targets at a downward diagonal angle.
2 Way: With a second power-up, missiles will fire upwards and downwards.
Tail Gun: Missiles are fired from the rear. With a second power-up, they will fire upwards and downwards.

Double Guns 'A Blazing Options
Normal: Blasts are fired forward and diagonally upward.
Twin Cannon: Parallel blasts are fired in unison.
Tail Gun: Blasts are fired from the rear.

Laser Warfare Options
Normal: A direct laser beam will enhance your attack power.
Twin: Parallel lasers will increase your striking range.
Ripple: Widens your blast field.

BEFORE FIGHTING IN THESE INFECTED AREAS, BE SURE YOU'VE GOT ALL YOUR SHOTS!

Stage 1: Rubble Resort - Just past the Akarian Asteroid Field lies the Beast Squadron's front lines, which was a vacation hot spot before being burned by the Beast Squadron.

Stage 2: Bacterion's Command and Control Center - This level is probably your most critical target. After all, if you shut down the brains of the operation you'll have a better chance of out-smarting Bacterion.

Stage 3: The Askikin Meteor Belt - Welcome to the Beast Squadron's lair. It's a radical area defended by all sorts of cosmic creeps, including rolling Bone Heads from the Stone'em Galaxy.

Stage 4: The AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! Zone - Alien cruise missiles will zip toward you from all angles of the galaxy. The fire will be so intense, you'll probably have to pause the mission to splash some cold water in your face. Blam! Splash! Blam! Splash! Blam! Splash! It's enough to make you scream.

Stage 5: The Fifth Dimension - Often confused with a popular singing group from the 1960's, this level will separate the ultimate starfighters from the wimpy ones. It's packed with dozens of Bartanium Booby Traps, probably a starfighters biggest single fear.

GRADIUS III AND IV - PS2 - 2000

BACKGROUND STORY

GRADIUS III - From Legend To Myth

In the darkest reaches of infinite space, pure evil lies in wait... The Dark Forces led by the god of destruction, Bacterian, prepare to launch a massive onslaught against the planet Gradius. Possessing unstoppable power, the Dark Forces threaten to plunge the Universe into total war and complete annihilation.

Their invasion force smashes the Gradius defenses, and the surrounding planets soon fall like dominoes. Now Bacterian's evil grasp reaches for the heart of the resistance... planet Gradius itself...

To counter the oncoming threat the United Gradius World Forces gather all their fighter craft. Half of them form a defensive net - the other half a strike team. But they are badly outnumbered and The Dark Forces easily tear through their thin frontline. No fighters survive the slaughter...

In a last grasp move, the United Gradius World Forces send out two fighters, previously considered too dangerous for combat missions: The InterDimensional VIC VIPER fighters.

The fighters take off for the heart of darkness to join the fray that will decide the fate of the Universe...

STAGE INTRODUCTION - Gradius III

1. Desert Stage
Boss Goliath

2. Bubble Stage
Boss Bubble Eye

3. Volcano Stage
Boss Core Mark III

4. Turbo Stage

5. Moai Stage
Boss Dogas/Vaif

6. Cell Invasion Stage
Boss Gregol

7. Lava Stage
Boss Wyvern (1st form)
Vulture Dragon (2nd form)

8. Plant Stage
Boss Choking Weed

9. Crystal Stage
Boss Lizard Core

10. Final Stage

Power-Ups

Power-Up capsules will appear after certain enemies are defeated. After getting a Power-Up capsule, the fighter's Power Meter will light up. Collect more capsules to cycle through the different types of Power-Ups. When the desired Power-Up is lit, push the Power-Up button to select it.

POWER-UP EXPLANATIONS

SPEED-UP
Speed can be increased up to 5 times.

MISSILE
Fires missiles that fly along the ground.

SPREAD BOMB
Drops bombs to the rear that explode in a wide blast.

PHOTON TORPEDO
Fires torpedoes straight down to blast ground forces and penetrate small enemies.

2-WAY MISSILE
Fires missiles straight up and down.

CONTROL MISSILE
Manually move the missile up or down with the Directional buttons.

UPPER MISSILE
Fires missiles that fly along the top of the screen.

SMALL SPREAD BOMB
Drops bombs to the rear that explode on contact.

DOUBLE
Fires shots straight ahead and up at a 45 degree angle.

TAIL GUN
Fires shots straight ahead and straight back.

VERTICAL SHOT
Fires normal shots straight up.

FREE-WAY SHOT
Fires normal shots in multiple directions. Shots are controlled by the Directional button.

SPREAD GUN
Two Power-Up levels are possible, each with increasing firepower. Fires shots that fan out in front of the fighter.

LASER
Fires a penetrating laser beam.

RIPPLE LASER
Fires wide ring diffusion lasers.

CYCLONE LASER
Fires a powerful, twisting laser.

TWIN LASER
Fires twin lasers.

ENERGY LASER
Fires a laser ball.

OPTION
A maximum of 4 extra phantom fighters can join in the attack! The phantom fighters mirror the main fighter's movement.

SNAKE OPTION
The phantom fighters tail the main fighter like a whip.

FORCE FIELD
A protective field surrounds the fighter, protecting it from attacks from all directions.

SHIELD
Attaches 2 shields to the front of the fighter.

FREE SHIELD
Freely position shields around the fighter.

REDUCE
Decreases the size of the fighter. 2 Power-Up levels can be used.

MEGA CRASH
Distintegrates all enemies and enemy shots on the screen.

NORMAL
Returns powered-up weapons to the normal, original setting.

SPEED DOWN
Decreases the fighter's speed.

REMAIN OPTIONS
Exchange phantom fighters for extra fighters. A maximum of 4 extra fighters is available.

BACKGROUND STORY

Gradius IV - Revival -

A distant memory...

The doomsday planet Bacterian has long been forgotten and Planet Gradius is enjoying a time of restored peace and prosperity. However their worst nightmare is about to become reality... again.... Suddenly, out of nowhere, a massive attack force appears, overwhelming the Gradius Defense Forces.

Just when things are looking hopeless, a lone fighter screams across the sky. The battle for freedom is joined once more...

Stage Introduction - Gradius IV

1. Liquid Metal Stage
Boss Yorogaton Chimera

2. Plant Stage
Boss Dendrodium

3. Bubble Stage
Boss Bubble Core

4. Magma Stage
Boss Gillador

5. Moai Stage
Boss Alpha & Omega

6. Cell Stage
Boss Viral

7. High Speed Stage
Boss Rolling Core

8. Boss Parade
(1 on 1 with bosses)

9. Fortress Stage

Power-Ups

Power-Up capsules will appear after certain enemies are defeated. After getting a Power-Up capsule, the fighter's Power Meter will light up. Collect more capsules to cycle through the different types of Power-Ups. When the desired Power-Up is lit, push the Power-Up button to select it.

POWER-UP EXPLANATIONS

SPEED-UP
Speed can be increased up to 5 times.

MISSILE
Fires missiles that fly along the ground.

SPREAD BOMB
Drops bombs to the rear that explode in a wide blast.

PHOTON TORPEDO
Fires straight down to blast ground forces and penetrate small enemies.

2-WAY MISSILE
Fires missiles straight up and down.

VERTICAL MINE
Throws mines in the direction the fighter is flying. When a mine comes into contact with an enemy or the timer runs out, a vertical blast is detonated.

FLYING TORPEDO
Torpedoes fly from above and below the fighter. Hold the button to change the height of the flight path.

DOUBLE
Fires shots straight ahead and up at a 45 degree angle.

TAILGUN
Fires shots straight ahead straight back.

LASER
Fires a penetrating laser beam.

RIPPLE LASER
Fires wide ring diffusion lasers.

ARMOR PIERCING
Fires an armor piercing shot.

TWIN LASER
Fires twin lasers.

OPTION
A maximum of 4 phantom fighters can join in the attack!

SHIELD
2 front shields protect the fighter from a maximum of 10 frontal hits.

FORCE FIELD
Completely envelopes fighter in protective shell and absorbs a maximum of 3 direct hits from any direction.