data/claims/gradius-history.yamlGradius (history and reception)
Game: Gradius.
Konami's 2007 Gradius guidebook dates the arcade Gradius to 29 May 1985, the earliest row of its table of the series' releases. gradius-history/arcade-japan
PDF p. 6, History of Gradius table — the text layer reads the row as "1985/05/29 グラディウス（AC)"1985/05/29 グラディウス（AC）Our translation1985/05/29 Gradius (arcade)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.A later company statement: the table names no region, and no flyer, trade paper or other period source for the arcade date has been read here.
Cited by: Gradius
In November 1986 Computer Entertainer wrote that Konami's Gradius was known as Nemesis in European arcades, and that a coin-op version was soon to be introduced to the US market. gradius-history/arcade-nemesis
p. 11, "More on 3rd party games for the Nintendo system" — the text layer has the opening K of "Konami's" as "<" before the quoted wordsGRADIUS, the first space game for the NES, is also known as 'Nemesis" in European arcades.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 8 (November 1986) · p. 11, "More on 3rd party games for the Nintendo system" — the sentence ends "to be introduced soon to the U.S. market.)", whose "to" the text layer reads as "©"(A coin-op version of the game is setChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06."The first space game for the NES" is the newsletter's own description. It doesn't name the US coin-op version or its maker.
Cited by: Gradius
An operation manual for VS. Gradius describes fitting the game's sub-board to VS. System cabinets, the two-monitor VS. Dual System and the one-monitor VS. UniSystem. gradius-history/vs-gradius
PDF p. 1, section 1For VS. Dual System (Two Monitors):VS. Gradius Operation Manual · PDF p. 1, section 1Insert "VS. Gradius" Sub PCB to the two bare 40-Pin DIP IC Sockets on CPU PCB.VS. Gradius Operation Manual · PDF p. 1, section 1For VS . UniSystem (One Monitor) :VS. Gradius Operation Manual · PDF p. 1, footGradius is a Trademark of Konami Inc.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Dropped "Nintendo's": the sheet names only the VS. Dual System and UniSystem.The sheet prints no date and names no publisher; the archive item credits it to Nintendo and dates it 1986. It covers installation and DIP switches, not play.
Cited by: Gradius
Konami published Gradius for the Famicom as catalog number RC810, with "Konami1986" on the booklet's cover; Konami's 2007 guidebook dates the Famicom release to 25 April 1986. gradius-history/release-famicom
cover (PDF p. 1)RC810グラディウス 取扱説明書 (RC810) · cover (PDF p. 1)Konami1986Gradius Portable Official Guidebook ~Legend of I, II, III, IV, Gaiden~ (Konami, 2007) · PDF p. 6, History of Gradius table — the text layer reads the row as "1986/04/25 グラディウス（FC)"1986/04/25 グラディウス（FC）Our translation1986/04/25 Gradius (Famicom)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The booklet prints no release day. Its opening thanks the reader for buying Konami's Gradius, but the text layer garbles the line ("コナ ミ の \ プ ラディ ウス"), and it hasn't been read on the page image.
Cited by: Gradius
The Famicom booklet gives the player's mission as boarding the Vic Viper (ビックバイパー) and destroying Zelos (ゼロス): only the player can bring peace back to Gradius. The player dodges enemy shells and destroys the enemies that appear one after another to advance through the stages. gradius-history/famicom-story
PDF p. 4 — the sentence goes on 破壊することにある (is to destroy), which the text layer reads as 破震する君の使命は、ビックバイパーに乗り込み、ゼロスをOur translationYour mission is to board the Vic Viper and (destroy) Zelosグラディウス 取扱説明書 (RC810) · PDF p. 4グラディウスに平和をとりもどすことができるのは君だけなのだ。Our translationYou are the only one who can bring peace back to Gradius.グラディウス 取扱説明書 (RC810) · PDF p. 4次々と出現する敵を破壊してステージを進めます。Our translation(you) destroy the enemies that appear one after another and advance through the stages.グラディウス 取扱説明書 (RC810) · PDF p. 4 — the text layer reads the word before it, 浴びせ (rained on), as 治びせ敵の砲弾をかわしながらOur translationwhile dodging the enemy's shellsRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the booklet's 敵の砲弾をかわしながら for dodging enemy shells.Quotes are from the text layer with its spaces closed up; they haven't been checked on the page images. The romanization Vic Viper is ours. The US NES manual names the ship and the fortress differently (gradius-history/names).
Cited by: Gradius
The Famicom booklet introduces seven numbered stages, among them a volcano stage (1), a Stonehenge stage (2), a Moai stage (3) and a cell stage (6); the seventh, the Zelos fortress stage, is the last. gradius-history/famicom-stages
PDF p. 8①火山ステージOur translation(1) volcano stageグラディウス 取扱説明書 (RC810) · PDF p. 8②ストーンヘンジステージOur translation(2) Stonehenge stageグラディウス 取扱説明書 (RC810) · PDF p. 8 — the text layer breaks ステージ across a line③モアイステOur translation(3) Moai stageグラディウス 取扱説明書 (RC810) · PDF p. 9⑥細胞Our translation(6) cell (stage)グラディウス 取扱説明書 (RC810) · PDF p. 9⑦ゼロス要塞Our translation(7) Zelos fortress (stage)グラディウス 取扱説明書 (RC810) · PDF p. 9最終ステージである。Our translationIt is the final stage.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Quotes are from the text layer with its spaces closed up. The text layer garbles the names of stages 4 and 5 (its glosses read ぎゃくかざん, inverted volcano, and しょくしゅ, tentacles); they haven't been read on the page images.
Cited by: Gradius
Nintendo of America's list of NES games gives Gradius, licensed to Konami, as released in December 1986. In its January 1987 issue Computer Entertainer reported that Konami had already released Gradius for the NES. gradius-history/release-nes
PDF p. 6 — the row gives title, licensee and month, not a day; the text layer puts each column on its own lineGradius Konami December 1986Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 10 (January 1987) · p. 13, "Konami To Unveil New Nintendo Titles"They've already released Gradius (review in this issue) for the systemChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Computer Entertainer's November 1986 release schedule had listed Gradius among the NES games due in November (1942-history/nes-announcement quotes its row).
Cited by: Gradius
The US NES booklet, catalog number NES-GR-USA, is copyrighted 1986 by Konami, Inc., which it names as the owner of the Gradius trademark, with Konami Industry Co. Ltd. owning the Konami trademark; the game is licensed by Nintendo. gradius-history/nes-makers
cover (PDF p. 1)NES-GR-USAGradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · back cover (PDF p. 16)© 1986 Konami, Inc.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · back cover (PDF p. 16)Gradius™ is a trademark of Konami, Inc.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · back cover (PDF p. 16)Konami® is a trademark of Konami Industry Co. Ltd.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 2, beside the warranty — the line goes on "Nintendo for play on the Nintendo Entertainment System", which the text layer scattersThis game is licensed byChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The booklet names no developer or staff.
Cited by: Gradius
The NES manual's story: the planet Gradius is under attack from the amoeboid Bacterions, from the sub-space star cluster of Bacterion. The player has launched the prototype hyper-space fighter, the Warp Rattler, and must steal enemy power capsules on the way to the Bacterion superfortress, Xaerous. gradius-history/nes-story
PDF p. 4, The StoryThe 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.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 4, The StoryTo save them, you have just launched the prototype hyper-space fighter, the Warp Rattler.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 4, The StoryYour objective is the Bacterion superfortress, Xaerous. To reach this, you must steal the enemy power capsules along your routeGradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 4, The StoryThe people of Gradius are in danger of being completely destroyed by the amoeboid Bacterions.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the manual's "amoeboid Bacterions" sentence.Cited by: Gradius
The US NES manual and Konami's European MSX booklet call the player's ship the Warp Rattler and the enemy superfortress Xaerous, where the Famicom booklet calls them ビックバイパー (Vic Viper) and ゼロス (Zelos). The MSX booklet also renames the planet Nemesis. gradius-history/names
PDF p. 4, How to PlayYour mission is to pilot the Warp Rattler into enemy space and destroy Xaerous.グラディウス 取扱説明書 (RC810) · PDF p. 4君の使命は、ビックバイパーに乗り込み、ゼロスをOur translationYour mission is to board the Vic Viper and (destroy) ZelosNemesis: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC742, 1986) · PDF p. 2, English storyThe planet Nemesis, a peaceful Earth-like world, is now under an all-outNemesis: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC742, 1986) · PDF p. 2, English storythe Warp RattlerNemesis: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC742, 1986) · PDF p. 2, English storyYour objective is the Bacterion superfortress, Xaerous.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the MSX booklet's "superfortress, Xaerous".The NES manual calls the Option's twin the Sidewinder (gradius-history/nes-power); the Famicom booklet's text layer gives that slot only as オプション.
Cited by: Gradius
By the NES manual, one player or two play, two taking turns. The control pad moves the Warp Rattler, Button A fires, Button B takes a power boost and, once missiles, the double-beam cannon or the laser are bought, fires those too, Select picks one or two players on the title screen, and Start pauses and resumes the game. gradius-history/nes-play
PDF p. 4, How to PlayGRADIUS can be played either by a single player or by two players. If there are two players, the play alternates from player to player.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 5, Controlling the ActionUse this Control Button to maneuver the Warp Rattler.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 5, Controlling the ActionButton B (power booster)Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 5, Controlling the ActionUse for power boosts.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 5, Controlling the ActionButton A (trigger) Use this to fireGradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 5, Controlling the Actionmake your selection of one player or two playersGradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 5, Controlling the ActionPause function: During play, this button also acts as a toggle switch to stop and resume the game.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 5, Controlling the ActionButton B will also activate your air-tosurface missiles, doublebeam cannons, and your high penetration laser beam cannon.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Button B also fires the bought missiles, double-beam cannon and laser, as the manual says.The Famicom booklet gives the boosted weapons to the fire button; the controls aren't checked in the ROM here.
Cited by: Gradius
The NES manual says each red enemy power capsule lights the power boost indicators along the bottom of the screen, and Button B takes the lit one. The Option spins off the Sidewinder, a twin with the ship's firepower that follows it, up to two; the force field barrier turns red when it can stop one more attack; and the double-beam cannon and the laser can't be used together. A special blue capsule destroys every enemy on the screen. gradius-history/nes-power
PDF p. 6, Power BoostingEach time you capture a red-colored enemy power capsule, a series of power boost selection indicators will light up at the bottom of your screen.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 6, Power BoostingWhen a desired indicator lights up, hit the power boost button (Button B) to activate that power boost.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 7, OptionThis spins off a ghost-like twin of the Warp Rattler, the Sidewinder.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 7, Optioncreate a maximum of two SidewindersGradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 7, ? (Force Field Barrier)When the Barrier turns red, this means that you only have enough force-field power to protect you from one more attack.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 7, notethe double-beam cannon and the laser cannot be used togetherGradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 13, Advanced Attack and Defense ManeuversIf you can get one of the special blue power capsules, all the enemies visible on your screen will be destroyed at once.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 7, OptionThe Sidewinder has all the originalGradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · PDF p. 7, Optionfirepower of the Warp Rattler and follows you in formation during your attacks.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the Sidewinder's "all the original" firepower and "follows you in formation".The ROM reading of the meter is gradius/power-meter; the manual's two Sidewinders match its cap of two options, and its exclusive double and laser match the shared byte there.
Cited by: Gradius
The NES manual says ways to earn bonus points and perform extraordinary maneuvers are hidden in the program, says Konami would appreciate hearing from players who find them, and gives one hint: a stage can be warped through under certain conditions. gradius-history/nes-hints
p. 12 (PDF p. 12), Helpful HintsThe keys to get bonus points and to perform these maneuvers are buried within the program.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · p. 12 (PDF p. 12), Helpful HintsWe would appreciate hearing from you, if and when, you do discover some of these.Gradius NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · p. 12 (PDF p. 12), Helpful Hintsit is possible to warp through a stage if you fulfill certain conditionsRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: "Would appreciate hearing from" players, as quoted; no write-in address.The manual doesn't say what the conditions are; the warp hasn't been traced in the ROM.
Cited by: Gradius
Computer Entertainer's March 1987 tip of the month, revealed in a Japanese game magazine by its account, was the NES Gradius pause code: start the game and pause it at once, then press up twice, down twice, left, right, left, right, then B and A, and the ship gains air-to-surface missiles, the force field barrier and the "ghost" ships; the other boosts have to be collected. The trick can be repeated at the start of the next level. gradius-history/ce-tip
p. 12, Japanese Game Fanatics' Tip of the Monthrevealed in one of the Japanese game magazinesComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 12 (March 1987) · p. 12, Japanese Game Fanatics' Tip of the Monthpad up twice, down twice, left once, right once, left once,Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 12 (March 1987) · p. 12, Japanese Game Fanatics' Tip of the Monththe "B" and "A" action buttons (in that order)Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 12 (March 1987) · p. 12, Japanese Game Fanatics' Tip of the Monthincluding air-to-surface missiles, force field barrierComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 12 (March 1987) · p. 12, Japanese Game Fanatics' Tip of the MonthYou'll have to acquire the other power boostsComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 12 (March 1987) · p. 12, Japanese Game Fanatics' Tip of the Monthrepeated at the start of the next levelComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 12 (March 1987) · p. 12, Japanese Game Fanatics' Tip of the Month — the lead read the tip on the page image (PDF p. 12 of the item's scan)push it once again to pause the game immediatelyRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The game is paused right after it starts, as the tip says; the lead read it on the page image.The tip names double-beam cannon, laser fire and speed-up as the boosts left to collect; the ROM reading (gradius/konami-code) has the code set the speed count to 1, and what the count starts at hasn't been traced. The tip doesn't name the Japanese magazine.
Cited by: Gradius
Computer Entertainer reviewed the NES Gradius in January 1987 and recommended it, at a suggested retail price of about $35: it found the game challenging in the extreme and not for beginners, and, for players who like fast shooting games, one of the best it had seen. gradius-history/ce-review
p. 12, Critically Speaking...Nintendo CompatibleThe game is challenging in the extreme-- definitely not for beginners.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 10 (January 1987) · p. 12, Critically Speaking...Nintendo Compatible — the sentence ends "…seen", with a word before it the text layer garbles ("ae seen")If you like shooting games with fast action, this is one of the bestComputer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 10 (January 1987) · p. 12, Critically Speaking...Nintendo CompatibleRecommended. (MSR approx. $35.00)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The review's two star ratings (graphics and play) are garbled in the text layer ("¢¢¢/e¢¢eI/2") and haven't been read on the page image.
Cited by: Gradius
Computer Entertainer's January 1987 issue reported that Konami planned to unveil four new NES titles at CES and would also show Commodore 64 titles, Gradius among them. gradius-history/konami-ces
p. 13, "C64 and Apple Too"Konami will also be showing titles for Commodore 64, including Track & Field, Gradius, Jailbreak, Iron Horse, Super Basketball, and Circus Charlie.Computer Entertainer, Vol. 5, No. 10 (January 1987) · p. 13, "Konami To Unveil New Nintendo Titles"plans to unveil four new Nintendo-compatible titles at CESRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted CES from the preceding sentence on Konami's four new NES titles.No source read here says whether a US Commodore 64 Gradius shipped.
Cited by: Gradius
Famicom Tsushin's readers placed Gradius second in their poll for the magazine's 1986 Best Hit Game Awards, with 5,964 points to Dragon Quest's 10,999. gradius-history/famitsu-award
p. 5, annual best 20 — the text layer garbles the row; the lead read it on the page image (jp2 leaf 0006, printed p. 5)2 グラディウス コナミ 5,964Our translation2 Gradius Konami 5,964Famicom Tsushin's readers voted Dragon Quest the grand prize of its 1986 Best Hit Game Awards by a wide margin, first in their annual top 20 with 10,999 points against 5,964 for Gradius in second. Magazine — the poll's method and Dragon Quest's 10,999 pointsRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The lead read the 5,964 row on the page image (jp2 leaf 0006).Cited by: Gradius
Konami's 2007 guidebook dates the MSX Gradius to 25 July 1986. Konami's European MSX cartridge was called Nemesis (RC742, copyright 1986); its booklet says it plays with a joystick or the keyboard, starts with three Warp Rattlers, gives another every 100,000 points up to 99, and pauses on the F1 key. gradius-history/msx-release
PDF p. 6, History of Gradius table — the text layer reads "1986/07/25 グラディウス（MSX)"1986/07/25 グラディウス（MSX）Our translation1986/07/25 Gradius (MSX)Nemesis: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC742, 1986) · cover (PDF p. 1)RC742Nemesis: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC742, 1986) · PDF p. 3, How to Play — the sentence reads "The action can be controlled either with a joystick or from the keyboard of your computer."; the text layer splits it across the page's columnsa joystick or from theNemesis: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC742, 1986) · PDF p. 3, How to PlayYou start the game with three Warp RattlersNemesis: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC742, 1986) · PDF p. 3, How to PlayFor every 100,000 points you score you get another Warp RattlerNemesis: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC742, 1986) · PDF p. 3, How to PlayYour maximum number of Warp Rattlers is 99Nemesis: How to play (MSX cartridge booklet, RC742, 1986) · PDF p. 3, How to Playpress the [F-1 ] KeyChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The booklet's cover copyright reads "© Konami 1986" (the text layer: "© Korvaml 1986"). The guidebook row names no region, and the European booklet gives no release date. Beep's October 1986 preview of the MSX version (pp. 152-155) hasn't been read for this claim.
Cited by: Gradius
Konami's 2007 guidebook dates a Gradius for the PC-8801mkIISR to 19 November 1986. gradius-history/pc8801-release
PDF p. 6, History of Gradius table — the text layer reads "1986/11/19 グラディウス（PC-8801mkllSR)"1986/11/19 グラディウス（PC-8801mkIISR）Our translation1986/11/19 Gradius (PC-8801mkIISR)Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The table names no publisher for the row.
Cited by: Gradius
Crash reviewed Konami's ZX Spectrum Nemesis in its May 1987 issue, at £7.95. Its reviewers found it poor beside the arcade original: the ship was unresponsive to quick key presses, and one reviewer called it an overly difficult, overpriced and mostly unplayable shoot 'em up. The review's sections included space islands, an alien graveyard, and the interior of a Bacterion battle cruiser. gradius-history/spectrum-review
p. 110 (image 111), Nemesis review headerProducer: Konami Retail Price: £7.95Crash, issue 40 (May 1987) · p. 110 (image 111), Nemesis review — the list opens "forest," and ends "Bacterion battle cruiser", which the text layer garbles ("Baclenon bat- tle cruiser")space islands, an alien graveyard and the interior of aCrash, issue 40 (May 1987) · p. 110 (image 111), Nemesis review, commentsThe ship is very unresponsive to quick key pressesCrash, issue 40 (May 1987) · p. 110 (image 111), Nemesis review, comments — the text layer reads "konami"It's a pity that this conversion by Konami is so poorCrash, issue 40 (May 1987) · p. 110 (image 111), Nemesis review, commentsEssentially, the game is no more than an overly difficult, overpriced and mostly unplayable shootChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The review's ratings box was lost in printing; Crash 41 (June 1987) printed a replacement, which hasn't been read. The verdict line, "A disappointment for Nemesis addicts, largely through its implementation" in the text layer's garbled form, hasn't been read on the page image.
Cited by: Gradius
Zzap!64 reviewed Konami's Commodore 64 Nemesis in its May 1987 issue, at £8.95 on cassette and £12.95 on disk, joystick only. Its reviewers found it not at all bad, with smart graphics and fast and furious action, though the sprites flicker and it isn't as slick as it could have been. gradius-history/c64-review
p. 90 (image 90), Nemesis review headerKonami. £8.95 cass, £12.95 disk, joystick onlyZzap!64, issue 25 (May 1987) · p. 90 (image 90), Nemesis reviewThe good news is that it's not at all bad.Zzap!64, issue 25 (May 1987) · p. 90 (image 90), Nemesis reviewthe sprites flicker quiteZzap!64, issue 25 (May 1987) · p. 90 (image 90), Nemesis reviewThe graphics are very smartZzap!64, issue 25 (May 1987) · p. 91 (image 91), Nemesis reviewThe action is fast and furiousZzap!64, issue 25 (May 1987) · p. 91 (image 91), Nemesis reviewIt's not as slick as it could have beenChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The ratings (the text layer begins "PRESENTATION 71%") haven't been read on the page image, and which quote is on which of the two pages is from the text layer's page split.
Cited by: Gradius
Your Sinclair reviewed a £2.99 Hit Squad re-release of the Spectrum Nemesis in September 1990, calling it horribly difficult, mainly from the speed everything runs at, and as standard a horizontally scrolling shoot 'em up as they come, but "very playable" and "a tasty little barg." gradius-history/spectrum-budget
p. 76, Bargain Basement — the text layer reads "$quad" for SquadNEMESIS Hit $quad/£2.99Your Sinclair, issue 57 (September 1990) · p. 76, Bargain BasementIt really is horribly difficult, mainly due to the speed at which everything runs.Your Sinclair, issue 57 (September 1990) · p. 76, Bargain BasementIt's as standard a horizontally scrolling shoot 'em up as they comeYour Sinclair, issue 57 (September 1990) · p. 76, Bargain BasementAll the same, it's very playableYour Sinclair, issue 57 (September 1990) · p. 76, Bargain Basementmakes a tasty little barg.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.The Bargain Basement pieces print no score.
Cited by: Gradius