THere is one minor drawback to this version of Gradius II, and this can be more or less attributed to the limitations of the PC Engine CD-ROM hardware. On hard, Gradius II can certainly be tough. And if you're good enough to complete the game on easy or normal, don't be surprised if all you get is a nice shot of the Vic Viper and a message saying to try the next highest difficulty level - Konami saved the real ending for only the best players. Konami was also nice enough to include a sound test which is accessible through the option menu. The music for this level is also brand new and exclusive to the PC Engine version. Sphinxes attack you, columns try to crush the Vic Viper, and you have to fight a boss that originally appeared in Gradius III. You navigate your way through crumbling ruins that are in the middle of a desert. The stage is reminiscent of both stage five of the NES version of Life Force (the Temple stage) and stage one of Gradius III. Konami also added a new stage that's exclusive to the PC Engine version. If you'd like to see what this intro looks like, check it out below (animated pic courtesy of SHMUPS!). For example, Konami added a PC Engine exclusive animated opening that showcases the Vic Viper and its capabilities - all set to some great Konami hard rock music. However, if you're used to the arcade game, you may be slightly (and pleasantly) surprised by some of the additions Konami made to the PC Engine game. You still have four power-up configurations and two shields to choose from, and all of the arcade levels are intact. Every detail from the arcade game is reproduced perfectly, from the level design to the enemy patterns to the design of the Vic Viper.
If you've played the arcade version of Gradius II, then for the most part you know what to expect here. I was able to get a copy of the game in late 1997, and after comparing it to the port found on the Gradius Deluxe Pack and the ROM that can be played via MAME, it stacks up favorably - even surpassing the arcade game in some respects, believe it or not. Konami chose to use the Super CD format when creating the game as well as enhancing the arcade music with RSS Stereo sound, and the end result is nothing short of phenomenal. In 1992, Konami graced the PC Engine with a near arcade-perfect port of Gradius II. I've finished the game numerous times, on varying degrees of difficulty, and I like it more and more each time I play it. It may be tough in spots, true, but in my opinion, it's far from impossible - even with a lack of power ups in certain areas. Much as I hate to disagree with an esteemed colleague of mine (see Kurt Kalata's review of the Gradius Deluxe Pack), I found Gradius II to be one of the most enjoyable chapters in the series. While not a part of the official Gradius canon, the arcade game Scramble is considered a precursor for this series.- Konami - PC Engine Super CD-ROM² - 1992Įver since I first played it, I've loved the Gradius II arcade game. This meter allows the player to customize their spaceships powers to a degree. If a power is selected again for a second or third time, it becomes even more effective. Players can hold off selecting a power until the one they want becomes available. The more power-ups collected, the more powers that are selectable. The power meter is typically a bar that highlights selectable options (weapons, shields, etc.) as power-ups are collected.
PLAY GRADIUS 2 ON NES SERIES
One of the hallmarks of this series is the power meter. Gradius is a series of futuristic scrolling shoot-'em-ups which take place in outer space.
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