Gradius is a series of horizontally scrolling shooter video games developed and owned 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.

Video games

Spin-offs

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.

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

Tako Plush from ItemLab Gokujo Parodius from MEF & Team Strike! Otomedius Cellphone Otomedius Pin Aoba Anoa Gradius Pins Otomedius Big Doll Otomedius Keyrings Otomedius Action Figure Gradius (M/L/XL) (Konami Official Tee ↑↑↓↓←→←→BA) Gradius and Salamander Acrylic Figure Collection (5 Random Designs)

Video collections Konami Video Collection Original Game BGV Konami Best Vol.1 — 1987 — VHS This VHS Contain a TwinBee, Gradius & Contra.

Salamander — 1988 — VHS A three-volume OVA series based on the arcade games Salamander, Gradius, and Gradius II.

Salamander Game Simulation Video — 1988 — VHS An expert playthrough of Salamander.

Gradius III Game Simulation Video — 1991 — VHS An expert playthrough of Gradius III.

King CGV Series Parodius Da! Shinwa Kara Owarai He — 1991 — VHS

Gamest Video Gokujo Parodius! — 1994 — VHS

Gradius V Options — 2004 — DVD A promotional DVD given away with Gradius V in Japan as a bonus to preordering customers. Contains interviews with the developers, an expert playthrough of stage five and an image gallery of enemies encountered in the game.

Gradius V Official DVD The Perfect — 2004 — DVD Contains a complete set of "super-play" videos.

Gradius Breakdown — 2004 — DVD A promotional DVD released shortly after Gradius V in North America as a preorder bonus. Contains a series retrospective, enemy database, an interview with the game director and a collection of "super-play" videos.

Printed media Gradius Complete Works — 1986 — Japanese title: グラディウス 裏ワザ大全集 別巻 (guradiusu urawaza daisenshō)

Gradius: Michi Tono Tatakai — 1986 — Released for manga in August 1986 in Japan. Japanese title: グラディウス―未知との戦い (guradiusu michi tono tatakai)

Gradius Hisshō Kōryaku Hō — 1986 — Japanese title: グラディウス 必勝攻略法 (Guradiusu hisshō kōryaku-hō)

Famicom Ryu — 1985-1987 — Japanese title: ファミ拳リュウ (Famikon Fiuun) A Japanese manga by Haruo Saito. Published by Comic Bombom Gradius, was featuring by Manga.

Nekketsu! Famicom Shounendan — 1986-1987 — Japanese title: 熱血!ファミコン少年団 (Nekketsu! Famikon Shōnen-dan) A Japanese manga by Haruo Saito. Published by Comic Bombom Gradius, was featuring by Manga.

Gradius II Bible — 1988 — Published by Konami. Japanese title: グラディウスII バイブル (guradiusu II baiburu)

Gradius II Perfect Technique Book — 1989 — Japanese title: グラディウス2完全攻略テクニックブック (guradiusu II kanzen kōryaku tekunikku bukku)

Rock'n Game Boy — 1989-1991 — Japanese title: ロックンゲームボーイ (Rokkun Gēmu Bōi) A Japanese manga by Shigeto Ikehara. Published by Comic Bombom Gradius and Parodius Da!, was featuring by Manga.

Cyber Boy — 1991-1993 — Japanese title: 電脳ボーイ (Dennou Bōi) A Japanese manga by Nagai Noriaki. Published by Comic Bombom Gradius, was featuring by Manga.

Gokujyō Parodius (1) Namie Iwao — 1995 — Japanese title: 極上パロディウス (1) 岩尾奈美恵 (Gokujō parodiusu (1 ) iwao namie)

Gradius Portable Official Guide — 2006 — Published by Konami on March 28, 2006. A 192-page book in colour with artwork, series history and guide for Gradius I-IV and Gradius Gaiden. Japanese title: グラディウス ポータブル 公式ガイド ~レジェンド オブ I・II・III・IV・外伝~ Shūtingugēmusaido Vol. 2 (Gēmusaido bukkusu) — 2011 — Published by Konami on March 28, 2006. A Pages was contain as, Gradius, Parodius and Otomedius. Japanese title: シューティングゲームサイドVol.2 (GAMESIDE BOOKS)

Gradius Origin Collection Official Book — 2025 Published by Konami on 2025. A Contains a Gradius, Gradius II, Gradius III, Salamander, Life Force, Salamander 2, and Salamander 3. Japanese title: グラディウス オリジンコレクション オフィシャルブック

Music albums Original Sound of Gradius & Salamander: Battle Music Collection — 1987 — Compact disc Soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club for Gradius, Gradius 2 and Salamander. Released in Japan by King Records on November 21, 1987.

The Konamic Game Freaks — 1987 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club was contain a Salamander. Released in Japan by King Records on March 25, 1987.

Beep Magazine Vol.3 - Konami Game Music Sono Sheet — 1987 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Softbank Publishing for Gradius, Salamander, WEC Le Mans 24, Koi no Hot Rock and RF2. Released in Japan by King Records in March 1987.

SUITE GRADIUS Fantasia — 1988 — Cassette Cassette Original Soundtrack by Konami Industry Co., Ltd. Released in Japan by Soundtrack by Apollon Music Industrial Corp. on November 21, 1988.

Space Odyssey Gradius II ~GOFER no Yabou~ — 1988 — Cassette Soundtrack by Konami Industry Co., Ltd for Gradius II. Released in Japan by Soundtrack by Apollon Music Industrial Corp. on July 21, 1988.

Konami Game Music Special — 1988 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Konami Industry Co., Ltd, contain a Gradius. Released in Japan by Soundtrack by Apollon Music Industrial Corp. on August 25, 1988.

Konami Famicom Music Memorial Best Vol.1 — 1989 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Konami Industry Co., Ltd for Gradius II. Released in Japan by Soundtrack by Apollon Music Industrial Corp. on July 21, 1989.

Konami Special Music Senryoubako — 1990 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club for ?. Released in Japan by King Records on December 21, 1989.

Kukeiha Club — 1990 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club, Contain a Gradius. Released in Japan by King Records on November 21, 1990.

Gradius III — 1990 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club for Gradius III. Released in Japan by King Records on February 21, 1990.

Perfect Selection Gradius — 1991 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club for Gradius, Gradius II and Gradius III. Released in Japan by King Records on November 21, 1991.

Perfect Selection Gradius — 1991 — Compact Disc Released in Japan by King Records on December 21, 1991.

Perfect Selection Gradius Part 2 — 1992 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club for Gradius, Gradius 2, Gofer no Yabō Episode II and Gradius III. Released in Japan by King Records on November 6, 1992.

Konami All-Stars 1993~Yume no Music Station — 1992 — Compact Disc Released in Japan by King Records on December 24, 1992.

MIDI Power X68000 Collection ver 3.0 — 1993 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club, Contain a Gradius III. Released in Japan by King Records on July 21, 1993.

Konami GM Hits Factory II — 1993 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club for complication of Salamander, Gradius II and Gradius III. Released in Japan by King Records on October 22, 1993.

Gradius In Classic I & II — 1993 — Compact Disc Soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club for Gradius, Gradius II, Gofer no Yabō Episode II and Gradius III. Released in Japan by King Records on December 22, 1993.

PERFECT SELECTION KONAMI SHOOTING BATTLE II — 1995 — Compact Disc ?. Released in Japan by Konami Co., Ltd on November 22, 1995

Salamander 2 Original Game Soundtrack — 1996 — Compact Disc 1-disc soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club for Salamander 2. Released in Japan by Konami Co., Ltd on April 5, 1996.

Gradius Gaiden Original Game Soundtrack — 1997 — Compact Disc 1-disc soundtrack by Konami Kukeiha Club for Gradius Gaiden. Released in Japan by Konami Co., Ltd on December 22, 1997.

Konami MSX Super Best Antiques — 1998 — Cassette Soundtrack by Konami Industry Co., Ltd for all games. Released in Japan by Soundtrack by Apollon Music Industrial Corp. on September 23, 1988.

Gradius IV Fukkatsu Original Game Soundtrack — 1999 — Compact disc A 1-disc soundtrack for Gradius IV. Released in Japan by Konami on March 5, 1999. One of a few soundtracks not composed by Konami Kukeiha Club, but by Japanese artist "Atsuki"

Konami Game Music Vol.1 — 2000 — Compact Disc A 1-disc soundtrack for ?. Released in Japan by Konami on November 1, 2000. One of a few soundtracks not composed by Konami Kukeiha Club, but by Japanese artist "Atsuki"

Gradius Arcade Soundtrack — 2002 — Compact Disc A 2-disc collection of background music and arrangements by Konami Kukeiha Club. Released in Japan by Konami Music Entertainment Inc. on April 24, 2002."

Salamander Arcade Soundtrack — 2003 — Compact Disc 1-disc album containing the background music heard in Salamander, Life Force, and Salamander 2 Produced by Konami Kukeiha Club. Arrangements by Motoaki Furukawa. Released in Japan by Konami Music Entertainment Inc. on April 9, 2003.

Konami Music Masterpiece Collection — 2004 — Compact Disc ?. Composed by Konami Kukeiha Club and released in Japan on October 1, 2004.

Gradius V Soundtracks — 2004 — Compact Disc Official soundtrack for Gradius V, composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto. Released in Japan by Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. on August 18, 2004.

UNDER THE BLUE SKY ~include GRADIUS arrange~ — 2005 — Compact Disc By MOTOAKI FURUKAWA. Released in Japan by Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. on June 6, 2005.

Legend of Game Music ~Premium Box~ — 2005 — Compact Disc Released in Japan by Scitron Digital Contents. on March 24, 2005.

Gradius Tribute — 2006 — Compact Disc Released in Japan by Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. on December 20, 2006.

Konami Addiction ~For Electro Lovers~ — 2008 — Compact Disc Released in Japan by Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. on May 21, 2008.

GRADIUS house ReMix — 2009 — Compact Disc Arrangements from Gradius and Gradius II composed by Konami Kukeiha Club. Released in Japan by Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. on February 27, 2009 .

GRADIUS THE SLOT ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK — 2011 — Compact Disc Official soundtrack for Gradius: The Slot, composed by Nano, Satoshi Yamada. Released in Japan by Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. on September 21, 2011.

KONAMI SHOOTING COLLECTION — 2011 — Compact Disc Commercial Soundtrack of 10 CDs. Released in Japan by Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. on September 22, 2011.

FALSION SOUNDTRACKS — 2014 — Compact Disc Commercial Soundtrack of 1 CD. Composed by Shinya Sakamoto, Shigehiro Takenouchi and Atsushi Fujio Arranged by Sukenomiya Fujio Released in Japan by EGG Music and Konami Kukeiha Club on April 30, 2014.

References