Gradius (USA)

In Gradius (USA) NES, players pilot the advanced Vic Viper spaceship in an intense space battle against the Bacterian Empire. This is a classic side-scrolling shooter where the main objective is to destroy countless enemies, dodge obstacles, and defeat colossal end-level bosses to survive each stage.

The most unique and prominent feature of Gradius is its distinctive "power-up bar" system. Instead of collecting specific power-up icons, players gather orange energy capsules (option capsules) from destroyed enemies. Each time a capsule is collected, a cursor moves along a power-up bar at the bottom of the screen, displaying various upgrade options such as "Speed Up," "Missile," "Double" (fires in two directions), "Laser," "Option" (adds orbiting spheres that mimic your shots), and "Shield" (creates a protective barrier). Players can activate the desired power-up at any time by pressing a button, introducing a deep strategic element to power management.

The stages in Gradius are diverse, ranging from deep space to volcanic caves and enemy bases, each with unique designs and distinct enemy types possessing specific flight patterns and attack styles. The game's difficulty progressively increases, demanding quick reflexes, the ability to memorize enemy attack patterns, and effective power-up utilization strategies. The boss battles, particularly against the iconic Big Core, are memorable challenges that require patience and precise control skills.