Gradius.

[VenomMacbeth]

Although I've been mildly interested in the Gradius series for a bit now, I have recently acquired a couple more games in the series.  The very first time I played it, which was on the NES, I put it back down & played something else, as I wasn't a fan of the power-up system.  Since then, however, I've grown to love it.  It adds a delicious touch of strategy to the game.  Add to that the awesome music (what retro gamer doesn't recognize "Challenger 1985"?) as per usual with Konami and I've had a lot of fun with it!  My one gripe, however, is how all your power-ups are taken when you die.  I just reset the game when this happens, as once I start dying, I just die more.

So, do you like Gradius?  Why or why not?  Do you have a favorite game in the series? (Salamander/Life-Force included!) 

[Opethian]

Dying after about stage 4 you might as well reset

I like the MSX Gradius games, the SCC chip makes for some legendary tunes

[soop]

I've only played it briefly...  Parodius always seems like more fun, but I haven't really made enough effort with either to get to grips.

[fraggore]

Yea man love all the games gradius 5 is a stunning looking game but can be pretty hard going at times, not shore what my favorete would be the original is a classic, 5 is stunning, gradius gaiden is a wicked game hard to pick one.

And then is the prodius series all wicked as well I have just enjoyed the gradius games over the years even tho like you losing all you power ups when you die is a bitch, just like they way play love the sound tracks classic shooters even pondering on getting a gradius tattoo some thing diffrent like the ship and the Easter island head and the options going up my forearm with some enemy's thrown in here and then.

I am not a fun boy honest.

[VenomMacbeth]

Yeah, I just watched a longplay of Gradius V and...wow.  That game is insane.  Amazing soundtrack & graphics, but the gameplay looks brutal. ._.  I suppose that's to be expected, seeing as how Treasure was involved...

[_joshuaTurbo]

The Gradius series is what got me into shooties.  I loved it on NES!  The best playing Gradius in my opinion, is our own PC Engine version.  It's better than the arcade.

If you like those, then how you feel about Salamander or Life Force?  I recently got the Salamander Deluxe collection on Saturn and have completely been sucked into playing those games again. Such epicness!!

Anytime Treasure and Konami are in cahoots magic happens.

[SuperDeadite]

I have most of them in various forms, including the original arcade pcbs for II, III, and IV, and all the MSX games.  But honestly I'm not a big fan of the series.  I much prefer Salamander and Thunder Cross.  II, 2, 90'Kai, and Gaiden are my faves in the normal Gradius series.

[Arkhan]

I have Gradius for MSX and NES... and Salamander and Parodius for PCE...

and well, they're OK, I guess.

The music makes them worth playing.   I'm not big on horizontal shooters.

[PunkicCyborg]

I always start playing Gradius but then I switch to Parodius.

[Tatsujin]

Love Gradius ll, gaiden and salamander the most

[GohanX]

I never liked Gradius back in the day (especially the NES version) since it was slow and clunky, and the powerup system sucked. Then I played Parodius on PCE and loved the game. Parodius got me accustomed to the powerup system, so I have Gradius another shot. The game isn't slow, I just need speed powerups!

I've been rocking the NES version lately, considering the hardware it's awesome but I can't get past stage 3.

[BlueBMW]

I love Parodius, and have grown to love Gradius as well.  Here lately Ive been playing the 68000 versions of parodius, gradius 1 and 2 and salamander.

[GohanX]

That reminds me, I forgot to mention that I really LOVE Gradius 2. Something about it really clicks with me, and the boss rush at the end is one of the most intense moments in gaming.

[roflmao]

Yeah, Gradius II has really grown on me.  And I haven't even made it to the boss rush at the end yet!

[fraggore]

gradius 6 looks like its been cancelled gutted mmmm.