Gradius (Famicom)

How To Play

Gradius
Family Computer

On this occasion of the purchase of Konami's Gradius, we offer our sincere gratitude. Before playing, please take in a reading of this manual in order to enjoy the game at a greater level. Please read it habitually to better become acquainted with the game's directions.

1. Page 2: Story
2. Page 3: How to Play
3. Page 5: Types of Power Ups
4. Page 7: Space plants that have attacked outer space
5. Page 10: Character Introduction
6. Page 14: Deadly Techniques

1. Story

Our beautiful Mother Planet, Gradius, has been met with the fierce space attack by the alternate space-time planetary group, The Bacterians. Because of this, Planet Gradius is on the brink of annihilation. In order for us to protect Planet Gradius, the Super Space-Time fighter craft, the Vic Viper, has been blasted off into the darkness of outer space. A magnificent alternate dimension and all out attack by the Bacterians awaits Vic Viper. You goal is the enemy stronghold, Zeros. Gather energy capsules and power up! You are Planet Gradius' only hope of rescue. Concentrate your bravery...now, launch forth!

 2. How to Play

"Your orders: Board the Vic Viper and destroy Zeros. You are the only one who can restore peace to Gradius.

* While negotiating the waves of hostile shellfire, destroy the continuously appearing enemies and progress through the stage.

* The player can power up in order to increase attack power. Power ups are done by obtaining the red power capsules held by enemies. Destroy entire advancing enemy formations of 4 units or more and pick up capsules to power up! (Refer to page 5).

* During 1 Player, controller 1 is used.
* During 2 Player, controllers 1 and 2 are used.
(Note) During 1 player, controller 2 can also be used.

* How to use the controller

(Clockwise from top left)

Directional Controller Button - The controller button moves Vic Viper.

B Button - Uses a power up. (Press when the desired power up is available).

A Button - Used for firing the machine gun. (When powered up, used for firing the missile, double shot or laser.)

Start Button - After setting up a game with the select button, this starts the game.

(Pause ability) If pressed during the game, the pause sound rings and stops the game. If you press it once more, the game restarts.

Select Button - Please press this button on the title screen to move the Vic Viper symbol, which selects between 1 or 2 players.

3. Types of Power Ups

* Power up rules

The selection sign changes as you grab red power capsules.

Speedup > Missile > Double > Laser > Option > ?

When the desired selection is flashing, please press the B button.

1. Speed up - Each time you grab this, you can speed up your ship.

2. Missile - A ground attack missile. Effective against the attacks of ground based enemies.

3. Double - A beam cannon which fires in two directions. Effective against the attacks of ceiling based enemies.

4 Laser - A laser beam cannon. This strong beam has the ability to penetrate objects and enemies. Warning! Although you can use a number of power-ups simultaneously, double and laser can not be used at the same time.

5 Option - Up to two options can be attached. Allows for missile, double and laser attacks to be fired separately from your ship.

6 Barrier - Withstand the attacks of up to 5 enemy bullets. Once the barrier turns red, receiving one more shot will cause it to be lost.

 4. Space plants that have attacked outer space

1. Volcano Stage - Previously, this was a peaceful natural satellite covered in green. However, due to the invasion of Zeros, its been overhauled into a vanguard base.

2. Stonehenge Stage - Reconstructed out of a group of asteroids, it's been made into a space base.

3. Moai Stage - Seen as Gods that protect outer space, these Moai statues were built long ago. Zeros has modified them to house frightful Ion cannons.

4. Reverse Volcano Stage - This above ground base is identical to that of the stage 1 volcano stage, except the sky and ground have been reversed.

5. Tentacle Stage - In space, their are floating, tentacle-like life forms. If they sense another object, they'll emit a ball of powerful poison.

6. Cell Stage - An unknown world composed of large cells. In order for the inner cell colony to protect itself from foreign invaders, amoebas pursue intruders.

7. Zeros' Stronghold Stage - The final stage. Inside the deepest section of this fort, a giant brain (Bio Computer) is at the center of control.

 9
Screen Explanation

(Left, top to down) Player, Barrier, Option, Missile, Cannon, Power Up Select Screen, remaining player lives.

(Right, top to down) Enemy, power capsule, laser, above ground base, high score, Player 1, Score

5 Character Introduction

Vic Viper
The pride of Planet Gradius' Defense Army, a state of the art star ship. It's equipped with some mighty strength, all while possessing a compact body layout.

 11

Power Capsule
(Red) 500 PTS - Pulse Energy Capsule

Fan
100 PTS - Area Demilitarizing Patrol Plane

Ruguru
100 PTS - Standard Zeros Fighting Craft

Garun
100 PTS - High speed Zeros Fighting Craft

Dakka-
100 PTS - Walking type anti-air robot

Jumper
100 PTS - Launch Robot

Dei-01
100 PTS - Plasma anti-air cannon

12

Zebo
100 PTS - Time-space traveling depth charge

Faose
100 PTS - Standard Zeros Cruiser

Rasshu
100 PTS - Zeros Scramble Formation

Bi-uzu
100 PTS - Raiding Reconnaissance Plane

Usuka
100 PTS - Zeros Transport Ship

Chirudo
100 PTS - Zeros Miniature Flying Saucer

Ame-ba
100 PTS - Organic Antibody

 13

Maza
3000 PTS - Zeros Mid-Sized Flying Saucer

Dagumu
100 PTS - Scramble Hatch

Tentacle
Center 5000 PTS, Arm 1000 Pts - Multiplying Space Tentacles

Big Core
Whole 10000 PTS, Inner 500 PTS - Zeros Large Scale Mothership

14

Killer Techniques

* Top Secrets

- The game has bonus points and secret operations. How many things can you search out?

- On stages 1, 2 and 3, if certain conditions are met, you'll be able to warp a stage.

 15

* By not allowing red enemies to escape and attacking them, you can grab power capsules.

* Take a good look at the lower screen's power select display. You should select a power up that suits the stage.

* As enemy fire aims towards the player, move all the way from the front and back of the screen, so as not to be hit. (Illustration 1)

* When unable to escape from the volcanoes, use the laser and option to hit boulders, going for a high score. (Illustration 3)

* If you pick up a blue power capsule, the enemies on the screen will be completely eradicated.

 16

* As a Dakka- may suddenly appear from the top or bottom left edge of the screen, be sure to exercise caution.

* When attacking the Mother Flying Saucer, use the option to hit the mother, blowing it up with ease. (Illustration 3)

* If you aim at the tentacles' red ball within the arm, you can destroy the whole arm. Also, if the nucleus explodes, the tentacles' entire body will follow suit. (Illustration 4)

* If your barrier turns red, just one more hit will decimate it. At that time, you may want to have your next barrier prepared to go.