Always appreciate the history lessons and contexts behind every game you cover. If you ever decide to make a second channel that exclusively dives into the history of games or the companies behind them, I'll be there in a heartbeat. As always, thank you for all your hard work.
Gradius was, and still is, one of my favourite all time games. And you weren't wrong when you talk about "fluking your way into one of the first 2 warp zones". I managed to fluke my way into the first warp zone the very first time I played it, and could never do it again.
11:35 If you have the Shield, Laser and one Option, position the ship so that the Option is just above the Volcano on the left. If you fire fast enough, barely any Volcano rocks will fly up because your Option will neutralize the left Volcano. This will also rack up thousands of points very quickly..
He also missed the trick to position Vic Viper between the boss's firing shots. Vic Viper can fit between the shots, and you can do the trick he does in more places with that knowledge. Man this game was my jam back in the day!!!!
It’s funny how this game introduced me to the concept of calling small, flying slave discs “options” and I used it for the rest of my life never really questioning how little sense that makes.
My power-up routine goes like this: two Speed-ups at the start, then Laser so you can one-shot groups of Fans for more power-up capsules easier, next is the Missile, and finally Options and Shield. Speaking of Shield, despite what you see in the game, it protects your whole ship from six hits. In the arcade original, Shield is really only a protection from the frontal attacks and can be depleted very quickly by touching the solid ground, usually when negotiating through narrow passageways.
I had both Genesis and SNES, and was wayyyyy more a SNES guy, but yeah, absolutely, EARTHWORM JIM was better on Genesis... and of course, all the sports games and Mortal Kombat better on Genesis too ... I was also a big Sega CD fan, so I always kept my Genesis around... Dragon's Lair Mansion of Hidden Souls (very underrated, and if u can overlook the TERRIBLE voice overs, you got a really intricate, spooky, problem solving game that got better the further you got, and has one of the scariest, most unexpected moments of any game I ever played... if anyone reading this knows, uhhhhh..HALLWAY GOLEM, anyone lol??? Sucks, I can't "relive" that thru a walkthrough video, cuz they don't die in those vids, just breeze right thru... but it got me, whomever I showed that to, and the VERY few friends who also played it...) and I believe yet another rather underrated game, but I have yet to meet/chat with someone who HAS played: THE THIRD WORLD WAR on Sega CD, and not absolutely LOVED IT .... actually playing out your invasion battles definitely saved it from being a tedious, monotonous strategy game... and when all else fails, NUKE EM! ("get them before they get you!" 😉)
I only managed to activate the warp zone once. Back in the day I read online that they were all accessed by beating the big core quickly enough. Good to finally know how they actually work.
Nice walkthrough! Never knew this game was where the Konami Code was introduced in! [as opposed to Contra] I'll use all the hints and tips for whenever I play Gradius, and make good use of those Options! Keep'em coming, U Can Beat Video Games!
You know a game is tough when the programmers added TWO cheat codes. Also, I just beat MegaMan 1 and 4 thanks to your guide, my man! The only one missing for me is MegaMan 6, your guides are always amazing! Maybe I'll give this one a try. I have beaten gradius 3 on the SNES, so I know how unforgiving these games are
I had grown up with Lifeforce and Gradius 3 and loved them. I never played the original until I was an adult and was stunned at how difficult it was. This guide should give me the means to finally add this one to my list of beaten games 🙂
Had Gradius on my 110 game cartridge, also a "Super" version with all the power ups at all time. One of my favorite for sure! I had no clue that the Konami code worked for it, it would have helped a lot for sure.
I thought it was pronounced "Grey-di-us" 🤣 I didn't know this game had warp zones...then again, I never really got past the first area much when I was little! Great video!
There’s not really an official pronunciation. Arguably, it’s actually meant to be “Gladius”, as in the Roman sword. But the “r”/“l” Japanese “Engrish” phenomenon has it being translated as a “Gradius”. But you will find support and rebuttal for that theory online. But, generall, no matter what the “long a” pronunciation would be less correct than other alternatives.
Ive played Gradius back when I was young in the 90s, and played some during college days, and wow, I didnt know most of the secrets you mentioned. Great video man. You earned a sub from me.
This is another great classic SHMUP by Konami. In my opinion Gradius and the other games in the series and sequels are some of the best SHMUPs ever. That't just me though. This Gradius game, Gradius II, Gradius III, IV and V are just so good to play. Despite the difficulty they're very rewarding games.
I rarely insta-like a video but Gradius is one of the best games on the NES. Even as someone who can 1CC it without the code I appreciate the hard work! Thank you!
This game reminds me of Chinese food. One Friday after school I played Gradius 3 for SNES. After my mom got off work that day she took me eat out at Peking Chinese restaurant for the evening buffet.
Hey UCBVG, I am enjoying your videos. I ALWAYS had trouble beating Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts for SNES. I got through quest 1 with no issues. But when I got to quest 2 with the goddess bracelet to stage 7, I COULD NOT beat forms of Asteroth. I would watch James and Mike Mondays where the duo cleared the first quest and got tired.
Oh Yeah!! Another awesome choice! I loved this game. I haven't looked forward to Saturday mornings since I was kid. It's like getting a new favorite episode every Saturday
Gradius composer Miki Higashino titled Stage 1 teme "Challenger 1985." You know he was paying homage. Another fun fact... Konami released a Famicom only game called Moai Kun. There a solo Moai is the protagonist in a puzzle based adventure.
Great! I really need that rapid fire tips and glad I found it. I already beat this game legit, but my thumbs are sore as the result. Really loved your channel!
Yeah, I definitely encountered that mini game (and Life Force) well before Gradius itself. I'm semi-surprised he didn't mention the Blades of Steel mini game in historical portion of the video.
I've never thought I would be able to beat Gradius, but thanks to your guide I managed to finally do it! Great job, you're the best when it comes to game strategies! BTW have you considered to do a guide on Life Force / Salamander?
Wow somebody get in touch with George Takei we just found his long lost brother/possible twin (Hashimoto) 3:29. Either that or mirror universe Sulu is in our timeline making games for evil purposes!
I hope you do Life Force and Abadox one day in the future! Great video. I love Gradius. There are so many obscure gems in the space shooter genre on the NES.
This was the first game I bought with my NES. I got the basic, basic version. Didn't even come with SMB. The only warp I knew how to active was from 3 (my favorite level) to 5. I always four 4 harder than 5.
Honestly, I really just wanted to see how to clear the volcanoes. I've only ever passed it by luck and I was certain there had to be a safe spot. The volcanoes in Gradius III are way easier with the rotating options and charge lasers ToT
At the volcano where those "rocks"fly all over the place, it's actually easier if you get a laser power up and just position the multiples over the volcanoes, they essentially "spawnkill" the rocks that come to fly. In stage 2, just before the zub rush starts (15:44), in that middle isle of rocks there is that small space, try to graze somewhere in it( I forgot how I did it ), there's also a free 1up in there.
Gradius is one of my favourite games from my childhood and ive only recently started playing it again but playing with an xbox joypad is no good and im useless. Ive now ordered a comp pro and i cant wait , no excuses !!!!
Gradius is bullet hell before there were bullet hell games. You do not know what a hard space shooting game is until you have played this. This and Ghost 'n Goblins are the hardest NES games. A lot of people do not even know that there is a 2nd level to Gradius because they never made it past the 1st level. So much random stuff coming at you all at once, and how under-powered your ship is. You need every option and every laser upgrade that you can get your hands on. Lifeforce is another game on the NES that is very similar to Gradius that is very hard as well. So very easy to get a game over in Lifeforce. But at least on Lifeforce, it is somewhat fair. You get more chances at powerups in that game, unlike Gradius where you have to struggle for any powerup at all. If there was ever a game where you absolutely needed invincibility, it is definitely Gradius. If you can beat Gradius without any cheat codes and without The Konami Code, you are a NES master.
Lifeforce/Salamander is easier due to the fact that it uses a different revival system and potentially having a buddy to give you a hand (but it also features the live stealing system from Contra), Gradius games uses the checkpoint revival system, however in Gradius Gaiden if you are in a 2 player game it uses the Salamander revival system instead, in Gradius V the game by default uses the Salamander revival system for single player (EVEN if you have to use a continue you restart on the same spot you died instead of the start of the stage or checkpoint), but yeah, Lifeforce/Salamander despite that is not a walk in the park, is still hard, bur feels fair somehow.
Actually Gradius isn’t remotely “bullet hell”. While Gradius is SUPER difficult, actual bullet hell games are notable for how many bullets they have on screen. Gradius doesn’t really have many. Bullet hells are also notable for becoming a self mockery by having the player have a tiny bit box and then putting stupid amounts of bullets on screen to appear more difficult than it really is.
@@PikangsFutaba honestly I always thought Life Force was alot harder than Gradius. Sure the revival system is better in Life Force but I think I never actually beat Life Force without the Konami Code.
I find this game much harder than Contra. Yet Gradius seems to not get it's well deserved invitation to most top 10 hardest NES game lists. While Contra often does. I believe it might be because that Silver Surfer (A even harder scrolling shooter) gets to fill it's spot.
I agree. Gradius is much harder because recovery after dying is near impossible. Contra anyway, despite being hard, is nowhere near top 10 hardest nes game. Contra is pretty generous of extra lives and recovery is very possible as long as you being careful.
Wait. Gunship...? Donut-shaped shootable energy balls? Power-ups? Missiles? Big Brain final boss that doesn't do anything?! GRADIUS IS METROID THE SHOOTER CONFIRMED!!!
I've never seen the warpzone, so this was really new to me! Also, I didn't even know that the Moai statues could be defeated (which is probably why I never saw the warpzone lol). I rarely got by the Moai stage, thank you for all the neat tips and tricks!
23:56 Funny you mentioned Stage 5 "may be the most difficult stage in the game." As a kid, I actually found it the easiest, probably because it lagged so much, it made it easier to dodge the bullets. There also aren't any walls or ground in that stage, so you can't get insta-killed as easily as in the other stages. It's the really crowded stages that I find the most difficult.
Got to get in the comment section...and let y'all know that Flatbush_MAN, me, has a legendary list of games that @U Can Beat Video Games has not gotten to as of yet, and I have no idea if he ever will. I say that to say I'm definitely wanting to watch you play some of these games I have from my childhood memory, like(I mentioned this title on his previous video) "Rush'N'Attack"(what am entendre, lol), and 🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫"Circus Caper". I have a few more that I can list, but the popularity of these titles may be what is keeping them obscure from the general memory of anyone that even does. --- P.S.- "Rush'N'Attack" is SUPER hard if you do ever pick that game up, I highly recommend it for the challenge. Subscribed and waiting for the next vid sir! Keep up the excellent showcasing! 💯👏🏾👏🏾🤜🏽🤛🏻
Gradius II is one of the few retro games I wasn't able to beat but I luv playing it so much despite the insane difficulty. I was able to beat Life Force/Salamder without cheats but Gradius is on a whole other level! I didn't know the famous cheat code started with Gradius. I always thought Contra started it. 😋
Great game. Beat it a few times as a teen. I always assumed Life Force was part 2 and Gradius III on SNES was the 3rd entry. Konami should have released the second Gradius here as well.
35 years later this game seems so much simpler....many a stuffed animal spent time flying out of frustration playing this game. Either way I always came back for more. Easley my favorite game.
31:12 -- funny you mentioned that because you already covered Metroid 1 and 2 (although it's not mother brain you're fighting) and still need to cover other Metroid entries ;)
A comment for the algorithm. All hail the algorithm! Ok, now, what another absolutely wonderful video. Thank you for putting so much effort into these.
Great Video. I have beaten this game before but there was alot of secrets and strategies I did not know. So kudos! However I do have to mention that the Arcade Version of Gradius is much more difficult than the NES Version. I could not even pass Stage 3 on the Arcade. Same goes for Gradius 2 and 3 I have beaten the Famicom Gradius 2 but the Arcade is ALOT more difficult. And the Arcade Version of Gradius 3 might even be one of the most difficult (but still good) games I have ever seen.
The only way to make those games even HARDER, especially the arcade versions is to try to beat at least one of them without collecting a single power up at all
It's awesome seeing gradius 1 and that it was on the nes thanks for the interesting info on it, the only one I ever played was gradius 3 on the snes and it had 2 menus pre set power ups and choosing your own power ups I would pick rotating option and reduce making your ship tiny
When I was a kid playing Gradius, I accidentally pressed speed up after I defeated the first boss. Then it warped up. I thought that was a secret. I told my friends about that and showed them. I tried it again and it didn’t work. I tried a lot of times and still didn’t work. My friends said I was lying but I could not lie with my eyes! I got my redemption when the internet was born and this video as well!
Always appreciate the history lessons and contexts behind every game you cover. If you ever decide to make a second channel that exclusively dives into the history of games or the companies behind them, I'll be there in a heartbeat.
As always, thank you for all your hard work.
Gradius was, and still is, one of my favourite all time games. And you weren't wrong when you talk about "fluking your way into one of the first 2 warp zones". I managed to fluke my way into the first warp zone the very first time I played it, and could never do it again.
This has become my adult replacement for Saturday morning cartoons. Absolutely love this channel and all you do! A big Thanks to you and Kylo!
I really enjoy your short history lessons at the beginning of your videos. They are super interesting. Thanks for doing these
I played this on NES Classic. Takes extreme practice due to the atrocious difficulty. But once you get good, it does become decently fun.
11:35 If you have the Shield, Laser and one Option, position the ship so that the Option is just above the Volcano on the left. If you fire fast enough, barely any Volcano rocks will fly up because your Option will neutralize the left Volcano. This will also rack up thousands of points very quickly..
He also missed the trick to position Vic Viper between the boss's firing shots. Vic Viper can fit between the shots, and you can do the trick he does in more places with that knowledge. Man this game was my jam back in the day!!!!
Never played this game. Now I must! I love the background!
It’s funny how this game introduced me to the concept of calling small, flying slave discs “options” and I used it for the rest of my life never really questioning how little sense that makes.
Glad I’m not the only one xD
As soon as I finish watching a new episode of UCBVG, I eagerly await the next one! Thanks so much for putting these out each and every week.
This one looked tough. Well done
Cannot start my Saturdays without watching you!! It's become a ritual.
My power-up routine goes like this: two Speed-ups at the start, then Laser so you can one-shot groups of Fans for more power-up capsules easier, next is the Missile, and finally Options and Shield. Speaking of Shield, despite what you see in the game, it protects your whole ship from six hits. In the arcade original, Shield is really only a protection from the frontal attacks and can be depleted very quickly by touching the solid ground, usually when negotiating through narrow passageways.
Same, you really need the two speeds at first, otherwise the ship is just WAY too slow.
I'd like to still request Earthworm Jim for the Genesis. This game is brutally difficult and oddly charming in its on way.
Love your work!
It was on SNES as well. I remember struggling with an underwater part and the heck levels. The sequel seemed a bit more forgiving.
I'd like to see the Sega CD version if possible. I've been asking for him to do Little Samson on the NES for the past 7 months, but each week.....
@@furiousapplesack
There's a missing level in the SNES version so I was thinking the Genesis was a more complete version.
@@brockhard3555
That game has the best worst ending.
I had both Genesis and SNES, and was wayyyyy more a SNES guy, but yeah, absolutely, EARTHWORM JIM was better on Genesis... and of course, all the sports games and Mortal Kombat better on Genesis too ...
I was also a big Sega CD fan, so I always kept my Genesis around...
Dragon's Lair
Mansion of Hidden Souls (very underrated, and if u can overlook the TERRIBLE voice overs, you got a really intricate, spooky, problem solving game that got better the further you got, and has one of the scariest, most unexpected moments of any game I ever played... if anyone reading this knows, uhhhhh..HALLWAY GOLEM, anyone lol??? Sucks, I can't "relive" that thru a walkthrough video, cuz they don't die in those vids, just breeze right thru... but it got me, whomever I showed that to, and the VERY few friends who also played it...)
and I believe yet another rather underrated game, but I have yet to meet/chat with someone who HAS played: THE THIRD WORLD WAR on Sega CD, and not absolutely LOVED IT .... actually playing out your invasion battles definitely saved it from being a tedious, monotonous strategy game... and when all else fails, NUKE EM! ("get them before they get you!" 😉)
I only managed to activate the warp zone once. Back in the day I read online that they were all accessed by beating the big core quickly enough. Good to finally know how they actually work.
Well your up ten thousand more subscribers since last week and you definitely have earned every single one
Nice walkthrough! Never knew this game was where the Konami Code was introduced in! [as opposed to Contra]
I'll use all the hints and tips for whenever I play Gradius, and make good use of those Options! Keep'em coming, U Can Beat Video Games!
You know a game is tough when the programmers added TWO cheat codes.
Also, I just beat MegaMan 1 and 4 thanks to your guide, my man! The only one missing for me is MegaMan 6, your guides are always amazing! Maybe I'll give this one a try. I have beaten gradius 3 on the SNES, so I know how unforgiving these games are
Beated is not a word. Stop it!
@@Animebryan2 funny, I've seen more people use beated than beat.
Thanks for the correction!
I had grown up with Lifeforce and Gradius 3 and loved them. I never played the original until I was an adult and was stunned at how difficult it was. This guide should give me the means to finally add this one to my list of beaten games 🙂
Man for sure you come out with these bangers week after week. This is one of my favorite games
Wow! There’s a lot of hidden stuff I didn’t know was in Gradius!
I’d love to see Life Force and Abadox future videos, as well as Metalstorm!
Abadox is underrated. Really freaking hard.
Really happy I found this channel!
Had Gradius on my 110 game cartridge, also a "Super" version with all the power ups at all time. One of my favorite for sure! I had no clue that the Konami code worked for it, it would have helped a lot for sure.
Still love this game even today on the switch. So many days at Pizza Hut playing between drinks and my pizza 🍕 being served.
Like number 103 and comment 30. You are The Game Master hands down.
Fantastic share! Appreciate you covering Gradius!
YES!!! I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO BEATING THIS GAME!!!
I thought it was pronounced "Grey-di-us" 🤣
I didn't know this game had warp zones...then again, I never really got past the first area much when I was little!
Great video!
There’s not really an official pronunciation. Arguably, it’s actually meant to be “Gladius”, as in the Roman sword. But the “r”/“l” Japanese “Engrish” phenomenon has it being translated as a “Gradius”. But you will find support and rebuttal for that theory online.
But, generall, no matter what the “long a” pronunciation would be less correct than other alternatives.
@@JazGalaxythat same r/l thing is also why Nelo Angelo's name in the original Devil May Cry was spelled the way it is
Dude, I just wanted to say thank you very much for this channel. I have beaten most of these games in the 80's but it's awesome to see again.
This is my Saturday morning cartoons now
Yes!!! I love shmups and this is one of the best. Thanks for adding this.
Same.im a cotton addict
I am more excited for this video than I rightly should be. AAAALLLLLRRRIIIIGGGHHHHTTTT!
Ive played Gradius back when I was young in the 90s, and played some during college days, and wow, I didnt know most of the secrets you mentioned. Great video man. You earned a sub from me.
Man you are the best guide out there !!! thank you so much !
wow. Never knew about the warp zones.
This is another great classic SHMUP by Konami. In my opinion Gradius and the other games in the series and sequels are some of the best SHMUPs ever. That't just me though. This Gradius game, Gradius II, Gradius III, IV and V are just so good to play. Despite the difficulty they're very rewarding games.
One of my favorite games
I rarely insta-like a video but Gradius is one of the best games on the NES. Even as someone who can 1CC it without the code I appreciate the hard work! Thank you!
This game reminds me of Chinese food. One Friday after school I played Gradius 3 for SNES. After my mom got off work that day she took me eat out at Peking Chinese restaurant for the evening buffet.
Hey UCBVG, I am enjoying your videos. I ALWAYS had trouble beating Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts for SNES. I got through quest 1 with no issues. But when I got to quest 2 with the goddess bracelet to stage 7, I COULD NOT beat forms of Asteroth. I would watch James and Mike Mondays where the duo cleared the first quest and got tired.
Love your work!
gradius is a very "nintendo power" kinda game. cool to see all those secrets put so concisely, and with some fun dev history to boot!
Oh Yeah!! Another awesome choice! I loved this game. I haven't looked forward to Saturday mornings since I was kid. It's like getting a new favorite episode every Saturday
Gradius composer Miki Higashino titled Stage 1 teme "Challenger 1985." You know he was paying homage. Another fun fact... Konami released a Famicom only game called Moai Kun. There a solo Moai is the protagonist in a puzzle based adventure.
This is a step up from Chip and Dale difficulty wise for sure.
Great! I really need that rapid fire tips and glad I found it. I already beat this game legit, but my thumbs are sore as the result. Really loved your channel!
Oh man, what a classic. I remember playing this way back in the 80s. Thanks for the guide!
Amazing. Love your videos - they keep getting better. Hope you do one on Bucky O'Hare. It was a favorite of mine as a kid and I still can't beat it.
Do Parodius next 😅
Gradius 2 is one of my all time favorite games. I really hope you cover that one some day! 🥰
This is my Saturday morning cartoons
Always great quality videos with quality information!!! TYVM!!!!
Closest I ever came to playing this game was the mini game in Blades of Steel.
Yeah, I definitely encountered that mini game (and Life Force) well before Gradius itself. I'm semi-surprised he didn't mention the Blades of Steel mini game in historical portion of the video.
I've never thought I would be able to beat Gradius, but thanks to your guide I managed to finally do it! Great job, you're the best when it comes to game strategies! BTW have you considered to do a guide on Life Force / Salamander?
It’s always a good day when puppy Kylo uploads a UCBVG video. 🤘🏼
Very cool, thanks! 👍
Great video
Wow somebody get in touch with George Takei we just found his long lost brother/possible twin (Hashimoto) 3:29. Either that or mirror universe Sulu is in our timeline making games for evil purposes!
I hope you do Life Force and Abadox one day in the future! Great video. I love Gradius. There are so many obscure gems in the space shooter genre on the NES.
After 33 years, I finally beat Gradius this morning. Thank you! I never thought of switching to "double" for the final stage.
Congratulations!! This was one of the hardest games ive done a guide for.
This was the first game I bought with my NES. I got the basic, basic version. Didn't even come with SMB.
The only warp I knew how to active was from 3 (my favorite level) to 5. I always four 4 harder than 5.
Honestly, I really just wanted to see how to clear the volcanoes. I've only ever passed it by luck and I was certain there had to be a safe spot. The volcanoes in Gradius III are way easier with the rotating options and charge lasers ToT
way to show some awesome skill in this game. Unlike a lot of games,(link metroid,) this game takes some real play time and skill to master. good job.
At the volcano where those "rocks"fly all over the place, it's actually easier if you get a laser power up and just position the multiples over the volcanoes, they essentially "spawnkill" the rocks that come to fly. In stage 2, just before the zub rush starts (15:44), in that middle isle of rocks there is that small space, try to graze somewhere in it( I forgot how I did it ), there's also a free 1up in there.
this guy videos is my therepy
Gradius is one of my favourite games from my childhood and ive only recently started playing it again but playing with an xbox joypad is no good and im useless. Ive now ordered a comp pro and i cant wait , no excuses !!!!
I love me a good shump...even if I'm not very good. Shumps have some of the best music ever. How about a video on Recca 92?
I had Gradius 3 on the SNES. One of my favorite games. I could play through Very Easy to very Hard with one life.
So you just wait... May be I should be more patient, too. ^^
Gradius is bullet hell before there were bullet hell games. You do not know what a hard space shooting game is until you have played this. This and Ghost 'n Goblins are the hardest NES games. A lot of people do not even know that there is a 2nd level to Gradius because they never made it past the 1st level. So much random stuff coming at you all at once, and how under-powered your ship is. You need every option and every laser upgrade that you can get your hands on. Lifeforce is another game on the NES that is very similar to Gradius that is very hard as well. So very easy to get a game over in Lifeforce. But at least on Lifeforce, it is somewhat fair. You get more chances at powerups in that game, unlike Gradius where you have to struggle for any powerup at all. If there was ever a game where you absolutely needed invincibility, it is definitely Gradius. If you can beat Gradius without any cheat codes and without The Konami Code, you are a NES master.
Lifeforce/Salamander is easier due to the fact that it uses a different revival system and potentially having a buddy to give you a hand (but it also features the live stealing system from Contra), Gradius games uses the checkpoint revival system, however in Gradius Gaiden if you are in a 2 player game it uses the Salamander revival system instead, in Gradius V the game by default uses the Salamander revival system for single player (EVEN if you have to use a continue you restart on the same spot you died instead of the start of the stage or checkpoint), but yeah, Lifeforce/Salamander despite that is not a walk in the park, is still hard, bur feels fair somehow.
Actually Gradius isn’t remotely “bullet hell”. While Gradius is SUPER difficult, actual bullet hell games are notable for how many bullets they have on screen. Gradius doesn’t really have many. Bullet hells are also notable for becoming a self mockery by having the player have a tiny bit box and then putting stupid amounts of bullets on screen to appear more difficult than it really is.
@@PikangsFutaba honestly I always thought Life Force was alot harder than Gradius. Sure the revival system is better in Life Force but I think I never actually beat Life Force without the Konami Code.
Cool, I've been playing Gradius 3 and 4 on the PS2 lately! I love the game on the playstation, the graphics are great even today.
Turns out it IS possible to get past stage 1 of gradius…
😳
I find this game much harder than Contra. Yet Gradius seems to not get it's well deserved invitation to most top 10 hardest NES game lists. While Contra often does. I believe it might be because that Silver Surfer (A even harder scrolling shooter) gets to fill it's spot.
I think the nes gradius doesn’t get a lot of attention at all because it’s just one of many versions and not the best by any means.
I agree. Gradius is much harder because recovery after dying is near impossible. Contra anyway, despite being hard, is nowhere near top 10 hardest nes game. Contra is pretty generous of extra lives and recovery is very possible as long as you being careful.
0:06 what game is that under Gradius with the guy yelling at a robot? NE-----
It's called Action In New York
Wait. Gunship...? Donut-shaped shootable energy balls? Power-ups? Missiles? Big Brain final boss that doesn't do anything?!
GRADIUS IS METROID THE SHOOTER CONFIRMED!!!
I'd love to see you do Legend of the Ghist Lion on Nes
Oh Yeah! I beat Gradius just now! Thanks! Can't wait for the next game!
Life Force was one of the two games my parents bought me for NES when I got it, I hope that one is on your list.
What was the other one?
Zelda 2 actually
I've never seen the warpzone, so this was really new to me! Also, I didn't even know that the Moai statues could be defeated (which is probably why I never saw the warpzone lol). I rarely got by the Moai stage, thank you for all the neat tips and tricks!
Gettin close to 100k buddy keep it up!!
This was the 1st game I purchased with my own money.
23:56 Funny you mentioned Stage 5 "may be the most difficult stage in the game." As a kid, I actually found it the easiest, probably because it lagged so much, it made it easier to dodge the bullets. There also aren't any walls or ground in that stage, so you can't get insta-killed as easily as in the other stages. It's the really crowded stages that I find the most difficult.
Tim Mc-Gradius wants you to do the Littlest Samson you've ever seen.
Gradius also gave me Syphilis.
Got to get in the comment section...and let y'all know that Flatbush_MAN, me, has a legendary list of games that @U Can Beat Video Games has not gotten to as of yet, and I have no idea if he ever will. I say that to say I'm definitely wanting to watch you play some of these games I have from my childhood memory, like(I mentioned this title on his previous video) "Rush'N'Attack"(what am entendre, lol), and 🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫"Circus Caper". I have a few more that I can list, but the popularity of these titles may be what is keeping them obscure from the general memory of anyone that even does.
--- P.S.- "Rush'N'Attack" is SUPER hard if you do ever pick that game up, I highly recommend it for the challenge. Subscribed and waiting for the next vid sir! Keep up the excellent showcasing! 💯👏🏾👏🏾🤜🏽🤛🏻
Gradius II is one of the few retro games I wasn't able to beat but I luv playing it so much despite the insane difficulty. I was able to beat Life Force/Salamder without cheats but Gradius is on a whole other level!
I didn't know the famous cheat code started with Gradius. I always thought Contra started it. 😋
Great game. Beat it a few times as a teen. I always assumed Life Force was part 2 and Gradius III on SNES was the 3rd entry. Konami should have released the second Gradius here as well.
I think they marketed life force as gradius 2. Maybe I’m making that up thoughz
@@JazGalaxy you should check gradius 2 on famicom. That game is really great
You can get Gradius 3 and 4 on one disc for the PS2, graphics and gameplay are incredible!
If you're talking about the Gradius 2 that's called Vulcan Venture in America, the arcade version is on one of the Konami anniversary collections
Your channel is amazing. Keep it up
Love this game! Nice work!
love your content! Keep up the amazing work.
35 years later this game seems so much simpler....many a stuffed animal spent time flying out of frustration playing this game. Either way I always came back for more. Easley my favorite game.
31:12 -- funny you mentioned that because you already covered Metroid 1 and 2 (although it's not mother brain you're fighting) and still need to cover other Metroid entries ;)
Yeaaaaaaaaaa good game and a classic
A comment for the algorithm. All hail the algorithm!
Ok, now, what another absolutely wonderful video. Thank you for putting so much effort into these.
Always appreciated!
Great Video. I have beaten this game before but there was alot of secrets and strategies I did not know. So kudos!
However I do have to mention that the Arcade Version of Gradius is much more difficult than the NES Version.
I could not even pass Stage 3 on the Arcade.
Same goes for Gradius 2 and 3
I have beaten the Famicom Gradius 2 but the Arcade is ALOT more difficult.
And the Arcade Version of Gradius 3 might even be one of the most difficult (but still good) games I have ever seen.
My favorite is Gradius IV for the Playstation 2. Those lava levels are awesome!
The only way to make those games even HARDER, especially the arcade versions is to try to beat at least one of them without collecting a single power up at all
"As a kid i never saw stage4 because i always got that warp and thought it was normal"
Me: I never saw stage2 because i sucked at this game! lol
I've played this game a lot over the years... there are bosses?
I've started this game a lot over the years...
It's awesome seeing gradius 1 and that it was on the nes thanks for the interesting info on it, the only one I ever played was gradius 3 on the snes and it had 2 menus pre set power ups and choosing your own power ups I would pick rotating option and reduce making your ship tiny
You can get Gradius 3and 4 for the PS2, it's on 1 disc.
I could never get behind the Laser in Gradius games. Double always worked better for me.
The armor piercer in Gradius IV was powerful, I would sometimes choose that over the laser.
Werewolf: The Last Warrior please🙏
The first and only video game my mom beat…she was addicted.
When I was a kid playing Gradius, I accidentally pressed speed up after I defeated the first boss. Then it warped up. I thought that was a secret. I told my friends about that and showed them. I tried it again and it didn’t work. I tried a lot of times and still didn’t work. My friends said I was lying but I could not lie with my eyes! I got my redemption when the internet was born and this video as well!