Gradius/Nemesis/Lifeforce/Salamander/whatever its called/whatever they settle on

[JUNKER]

My first introduction to Gradius was either 1990 or 1991, when I played the Game Boy "Nemesis". The second experience was the third Gradius title on the SNES. I don't know how, but in the early 90s at one time, at a very young age, I had realized that Gradius and Nemesis were linked, but I don't remember how. I never played the original Gradius until 1998 when I bought it for my NES at a pawn shop while on vacation. Anyway, lately, I've been on a big Lifeforce/Salamander kick. I got the Salamander Deluxe Pack for Sega Saturn and Salamander Portable for PSP. I've been playing various versions of the original Lifeforce/Salamander on MAME quite a bit lately. I actually think I like Lifeforce/Salamander a little more than Gradius, but in terms of just Gradius, I think Gradius II is the best one, but it's really fucking hard!

[Joe Redifer]

Gradius is a series of extremely crappy and forgettable games (with some good music) that do not deserve to exist with the exception of Gradius 5 on the PS2. Play that for a bit and it'll make Gradius 2 look easy. Yes, Life Force is a bit better (and the Parodius series better still), but Konami is definitely not the master of shooters.

[DigitalSpace]

Good stuff. My favorite is the SNES version of Gradius III. And Life Force is the first shmup I ever played, and my favorite NES shmup.

[Rusty Venture]

"Lifeforce" is the only shooter I like.

I would give just about anything to hear full symphony/orchestrated versions of all the songs from LF.

[redrum666]

Nemesis is what they called Gradius in Europe but they keeped the name Nemesis for the japan and US release for gameboy

Lifeforce and Salamander are some what diffrent Salamander weapons system is like other shooter enemies leave weapons after you kill them Lifeforce uses a power-up bar like the one used in Gradius

allso Lifeforce theme is your travelling in some ones body and the game has a voiceover. Salamander theme is your travelling in space and has no voiceover

[Vehemont]

The only Gradius game I have ever played is the third one for the SNES. I bought it for $4 at a yard sale. The game is not terrible but it has alot of slowdown though.

[JFLY]

The only Gradius games I play regularly are Gradius Gaiden, Gradius Galaxies (has the worst soundtrack of all the Gradius games), Gradius V, and Gradius III (SNES version). I have to agree with Joe, Konami's shooters are decent but nothing special. Though I do think Xexex is probably one of their best.

[Rusty Venture]

"Gradius" is the Engrish version of "Gladius" which is latin for "sword"

[NAE1000]

i am somewhat of a shooter fan, and must say that gradius 5 is in every respect the best shooter konami have ever released (no wonder as it's by treasure) and one of the best the PS2 has to offer. with great control options, visuals, music and the ever present gradius power up system-it's hard to beat.
my big problem with the older gradius games is the weapons themselves-they look crap, sound crap and as a result just feel a bit weak. small sprites don't help either, but they are challenging and fun shooters.

i recently got the gradius, parodius and twin bee packs for the psp and must say that it's a shame only the gradius one has has a multi territory release. the parodius games are still so much fun- tough shooters that just look and sound daft a few and far between-long live sexy parodius!

[Alianger]

I'm not a big fan of the Gradius series. The weapons system is annoying to me and the gameplay is too slow which makes it more frustrating when having to replay a level. I prefer these to the others: Lifeforce, Nemesis 2 and Gradius 5.

[system]

Most of the Gradius games, as well as Konami's other shooters, are pretty bland. I like some of the ideas they incorporate, but the execution pretty much kills them. Gradius V is an exception though as it's pretty neat (no wonder, it's by Treasure).

[Dire 51]

Whoa, there's virtually no love for Gradius in this thread. I guess I'll quietly step outside now.

[Dartagnan1083]

I personally like the series,
excepting part IV of course. . .as it didn't really do anything special.
The games may not be spectacular, but they're still pretty well designed for the times that they were released (again, With the exception of part IV, and perhaps Nemesis on the GB).

The franchise at least trounces R-type in every conceivable way (God I FUCKING HATE R-type. . .appart from Final and LEO).