Gradius

The people of Gradius are in trouble. The ameoboid Bacterions have launched an all out attack against the planet, and it's up to you to fly into battle and save them. Along the way you'll be able to power up your ship with hyper speed, force fields, lasers, missiles, double beam cannons and more to help you battle. Based on the arcade game, Gradius is a side scrolling shooter. Shooting certain enemies will leave a power up pod behind which can be collected to add more power to your ship. Each level features a wide variety of enemies trying to stop you, with a large boss at the end. Gameplay is for one player or two players alternating.

Genre: Shoot-'Em-Up
Year: 1991
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Players: 2

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P2P Netplay available on compatible cores

Achievements

57 achievements · 531 total points

Challenger 1985 Complete Stage 1
5 pts
Beat Back Complete Stage 2
5 pts
Blank Mask Complete Stage 3
5 pts
Free Flyer Complete Stage 4
10 pts
Wasteland Complete Stage 5
10 pts
Mazed Music Complete Stage 6
10 pts
Mechanical Globule Complete Stage 7
10 pts
Final Attack Complete Stage 8 and beat the game
10 pts
No Need for Backup Beat the game without using the 30 lives code
10 pts
Extend-ed Flight Score 30,000 points and earn an extra life
5 pts
Space Student Score 100,000 points
5 pts
Space Soldier Score 250,000 points
10 pts
Space Savior Score 500,000 points
25 pts
Pointless Endeavors I Find where a hidden point bonus would normally be in Stage 1
3 pts
Cosmic Cytologist Find a safe spot during the fight against Nucleus
5 pts
Send Me an Angle Activate the Double
1 pts
Piercing Gaze Activate the Laser
1 pts
Follow My Lead Activate an Option
1 pts
Flight Insurance Activate the Shield without using the Konami Code
2 pts
You Can Count on Konami Press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, II, and I while the game is paused
1 pts
30-Ship Squadron Hold down Up and press II 3 times on the title screen before pressing Run
1 pts
Break Core Defeat a Big Core MK I
5 pts
Volcanic Victor Complete Stage 1 without dying
10 pts
Wasteland Warrior Complete Stage 5 without dying
10 pts
Stonehenge Superhero Complete Stage 2 without dying
10 pts
Moai Master Complete Stage 3 without dying
10 pts
Reverse Wrangler Complete Stage 4 without dying
10 pts
Tentacle Toppler Complete Stage 6 without dying
10 pts
Cell Champion Complete Stage 7 without dying
10 pts
Snub the Zubs Destroy 90 Zubs at the end of Stage 2
5 pts
Eruption Interruption Destroy 300 volcanic rocks at the end of Stage 1
5 pts
Orbital Orphanage Destroy 10 Mothers at the end of Stage 3
10 pts
Feast of Easter Island Destroy 12 Moai in Stage 3 without dying
10 pts
Wary Wings Reach Stage 2 without scoring more than 500 points
25 pts
Vic-tory Lap Beat the second loop
50 pts
Vicious Viper Fully upgrade the Vic Viper without using the Konami Code
10 pts
Capsule Collector Collect 100 power-ups in a single playthrough
10 pts
Cosmic Cruise Beat the game without dying
25 pts
Base Buster Complete Stage 8 without dying
10 pts
A Lonely Viper Beat the game without using any Options
25 pts
Light Emissions Beat the game without using the Laser
25 pts
One Hit, and It's Forfeit Beat the game without using the Shield
25 pts
Uncovering the Secrets of Stonehenge Enter the bonus area in Stage 2
5 pts
Sealing the Secrets of Stonehenge Complete the bonus area in Stage 2
5 pts
Uncovering the Mysteries of Moai I Enter the first bonus area in Stage 3
5 pts
Sealing the Mysteries of Moai I Complete the first bonus area in Stage 3
5 pts
Uncovering the Mysteries of Moai II Enter the second bonus area in Stage 3
5 pts
Sealing the Mysteries of Moai II Complete the second bonus area in Stage 3
5 pts
Uncovering the Reversed Riddles Enter the bonus area in Stage 4
5 pts
Sealing the Reversed Riddles Complete the bonus area in Stage 4
5 pts
Uncovering the Cellular Chamber Enter the bonus area in Stage 7
5 pts
Sealing the Cellular Chamber Complete the bonus area in Stage 7
5 pts
Stop and Take a Breather Collect a grey power-up
3 pts
Green with Ecstasy Collect a green power-up in a bonus stage
3 pts
Structural Dexterity Reach the end of Stage 2 without shooting anything
25 pts
Pacifista Oblingata Defeat Xaerous Brain without shooting
2 pts
Pointless Endeavors II Find where a hidden point bonus would normally be in Stage 4
3 pts

Gradius leaderboard

Who scored the most on this game's achievements.

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Gradius frequently asked questions

How do I play Gradius online with a friend?

Gradius (PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16) can be played online with friends using Etera's P2P netplay. Create a room in the launcher and invite your friend, who joins through the invite. Step by step:

Download the Etera launcher for Windows or Linux and create your account.
Ask your friend to do the same and add them to your friends list.
Pick the game in the library and create a netplay room.
Invite your friend: they accept the invite and join the room.
The launcher keeps dependencies on the same version for both players, avoiding desync.

How do I play Gradius on PC?

Download the Etera launcher (Windows or Linux), find Gradius in the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 library and click to download. The launcher handles the emulator and setup for you.

Does Gradius netplay lag?

Etera uses a direct P2P connection between players, which usually means low latency. Results depend on each player's internet quality.

Does Gradius have achievements?

Yes, Gradius has 57 achievements worth 531 points. Achievements are counted and saved to your history and the leaderboard for subscribers and during the trial period.

Can I play Gradius for free?

Yes. Every account gets a 5-day trial with premium features. After that, the free plan allows 3 new games per day and 1 netplay session per day. Premium raises those limits.

Play Gradius on Etera

Download the launcher for Windows or Linux, find this game in the library and play solo or with friends.