Gradius Deluxe Pack

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Main title
  • Gradius
  • Gradius II

GradiusDeluxePack title.png

Gradius Deluxe Pack Saturn, Gradius, Title.png

Gradius Deluxe Pack Saturn, Gradius II, Title.png

Gradius Deluxe Pack
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: Konami
Developer:
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Game total: 2
Genre: Compilation, Shooting[1][2]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP 		¥5,8005,800 T-9509G
Non-Sega versions

Gradius Deluxe Pack (グラディウス ＤＥＬＵＸＥ ＰＡＣＫ) is a compilation containing Gradius and Gradius II, two arcade shoot-'em-ups developed and published by Konami, for the Sega Saturn. It is the only licensed Gradius release on a Sega system (though the spin-off games Salamander and Parodius were also released on the Saturn). It was only released in Japan. The games are identical to their arcade counterparts, bar a few touch-ups.

Games included

  • Gradius
  • Gradius II

Story

Gradius

The Earth-like planet Gradius is under attack by the evil Bacterian Empire, a race of amoeba-like beings from a sub-space cluster. Gradius is on the brink of extinction due to the fierce attack and has decided to launch its last resort, the hyper-space fighter Vic Viper. The only way to put an end to the battle is to fight to the middle of the enemy's massive base in Zelos and destroy its core.

Gradius II

Two years after the Vic Viper succeeded in destroying Zelos, the Bacterians, now under the leadership of the giant head Gofer, have once again attacked the planet Gradius.

Gameplay

Gradius

Gradius is a side-scrolling shoot-'em-up game, originally released to arcades in 1985. The player pilots a trans-dimensional spacecraft known as the Vic Viper in order to defend the mother planet Gradius from alien invaders. It was a seminal release for the shoot-'em-up genre, and it pioneered a number of features and mechanics that would become hallmarks of the genre, including multiple themed stages, "option" drones that follow the ship and provide support fire, and a novel power-up system for upgrading the ship's weaponry. There are six stages, each preceded by a short space section with waves of easy enemies that can be destroyed to collect power-ups. The game can be played by one player or by two players taking turns.

The Vic Viper can be moved in any direction using the D-Pad. Some stages are taller than the visible area and scroll vertically when the ship flies near an edge. The ship shoots with B (or Y for rapid-fire). The main weapon can be upgraded to the Double, which adds an upward-angled second stream of fire, or the Laser, which shoots long lasers that pierce through multiple targets. All weapons can neutralize enemy fire. Players can obtain an upgrade that augments the ship's main weapon with missiles, which are dropped below the ship by pressing C (or Z for rapid-fire). The ship can additionally collect up to four options that follow it and replicate its fire. Options spread out when the ship moves away from them but can be clumped together by moving in alternating directions, giving the player the ability to cover a wide area with them or focus their fire.

There is only one item to collect, which advances the "power meter" by one position. The player can select the desired upgrade when it is highlighted in the power meter by pressing A or X, which resets the meter. Each upgrade can only be selected a certain number of times, after which it is no longer available (though it leaves a blank space that must still be advanced through to reach any upgrades after it). This system allows the player to strategize which upgrades to prioritize, with the most powerful upgrades requiring the most items to unlock.

The ship is destroyed if it takes a single hit from an enemy or collides with terrain. All power-ups are lost when the ship is destroyed. If the player has extra lives remaining, the ship restarts at a predetermined checkpoint, which gives the player an opportunity to collect more power-ups and upgrade the ship again. The game ends if the ship is destroyed and the player has no lives remaining, and there are no continues. Extends are given at 30,000 points and every 80,000 points after that, and players can set the number of starting lives from the options (between 1 and 7) before starting the game. After finishing the game, it loops from the beginning at a higher difficulty. There are six difficulty levels (Saturn Easy, Easy, Normal, Difficult, Very Difficult, and Saturn Difficult). There is also an option to stretch the image to fit the width of the screen.

Items

Items are dropped by reddish-colored enemies when they are destroyed or when an entire wave of enemies is destroyed.

Gradius Saturn, Items.png
 Red Power Capsule
Advances the power meter by one position.
Gradius Saturn, Items.png
 Blue Power Capsule
Destroys all on-screen enemies when collected. This item appears after every 15 Red Power Capsules.

Power meter

The power meter contains the following power-ups:

Gradius Saturn, Power Meter.png
 Speed Up
Increases the movement speed of the ship, up to 5 levels.
Gradius Saturn, Power Meter.png
 Missile
Allows the ship to drop missiles in a downward arc concurrently with its main weapon. Missiles slide along terrain.
Gradius Saturn, Power Meter.png
 Double
Adds a second shot to the main weapon that shoots 45 degrees upwards. This selection and the Laser are mutually exclusive.
Gradius Saturn, Power Meter.png
 Laser
Changes the main weapon to long, piercing lasers. This selection and the Double are mutually exclusive.
Gradius Saturn, Power Meter.png
 Option
Creates an orange orb that follows the ship and replicates its fire (including dropping missiles). The ship can have up to 4 options following it.
Gradius Saturn, Power Meter.png
 ?
Creates two shields that protect the front of the ship from multiple hits.

Stages

Gradius Saturn, Stage 1.png

Gradius Saturn, Stage 1 Boss.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 1.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 1 Boss.png

火山ステージ (Volcano Stage)

Gradius Saturn, Stage 2.png

Gradius Saturn, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 2.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 2 Boss.png

ストーンヘンジステージ (Stonehenge Stage)

Gradius Saturn, Stage 3.png

Gradius Saturn, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 3.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 3 Boss.png

モアイステージ (Moai Stage)

Gradius Saturn, Stage 4.png

Gradius Saturn, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 4.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 4 Boss.png

逆火山ステージ (Reverse Volcano Stage)

Gradius Saturn, Stage 5.png

Gradius Saturn, Stage 5 Boss.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 5.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 5 Boss.png

触手ステージ (Tentacle Stage)

Gradius Saturn, Stage 6.png

Gradius Saturn, Stage 6 Boss.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 6.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 6 Boss.png

特殊細胞ステージ (Special Cell Stage)

Gradius Saturn, Stage 7-1.png

Gradius Saturn, Stage 7-2.png

Gradius Saturn, Stage 7-3.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 7-1.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 7-2.png

  • Gradius Saturn, Stage 7-3.png

ゼロス要基ステージ (Zelos Fortress Stage)

Gradius II

Gradius II Saturn, Power Meter Select.png

Power meter select

Gradius II is the sequel to Gradius, originally released to arcades in 1988 (following the release of the spin-off Salamander in 1986). The player returns to pilot the Vic Viper spaceship and counter the second onslaught of the Bacterian Empire. The game retains the power meter from the first game, but the player now chooses between four different weapon configurations and two kinds of shielding before starting the game. It also introduces two new types of stage that would be revisited in sequels: the "speed stage," where the game scrolls faster and the Vic Viper must navigate a tight maze (similar to the escape sequence at the end of Salamander), and the "boss rush" stage, where the player fights multiple bosses in a row. The game can be played by one player or by two players taking turns.

The Vic Viper can be moved in any direction using the D-Pad. Some stages are taller than the visible area and scroll vertically when the ship flies near an edge. The ship shoots with B (or Y for rapid-fire). Each weapon load-out contains two mutually exclusive weapon upgrades: one "Double" type that adds a second stream of bullets, and one "Laser" type that fires a more powerful beam. All weapons can neutralize enemy fire. Players can also select an upgrade that augments the ship's main weapon with a secondary weapon that can be fired simultaneously with C (or Z for rapid-fire). The ship can additionally collect up to four options that follow it and replicate its fire. Options spread out when the ship moves away from them but can be clumped together by moving in alternating directions, giving the player the ability to cover a wide area with them or focus their fire. There is a new enemy called the "Option Hunter" that is capable of stealing the ship's options.

There is only one item to collect, which advances the "power meter" by one position. The player can select the desired upgrade when it is highlighted in the power meter by pressing A or X, which resets the meter. Each upgrade can only be selected a certain number of times, after which it is no longer available (though it leaves a blank space that must still be advanced through to reach any upgrades after it). This system allows the player to strategize which upgrades to prioritize, with the most powerful upgrades requiring the most items to unlock.

The ship is destroyed if it takes a single hit from an enemy or collides with terrain. All power-ups are lost when the ship is destroyed. If the player has extra lives remaining, the ship restarts at a predetermined checkpoint, which gives the player an opportunity to collect more power-ups and upgrade the ship again. The game ends if the ship is destroyed and the player has no lives remaining. There are no continues, but they can be enabled in the options. Extends are given at 20,000 points and every 150,000 points after that, and players can set the number of starting lives from the options (between 2 and 7) before starting the game. After finishing the game, it loops from the beginning at a higher difficulty. There are six difficulty levels (Saturn Easy, Easy, Normal, Difficult, Very Difficult, and Saturn Difficult). There is also an option to stretch the image to fit the width of the screen.

Items

Items are dropped by reddish-colored enemies when they are destroyed or when an entire wave of enemies is destroyed.

Gradius II Saturn, Items.png
 Red Power Capsule
Advances the power meter by one position.
Gradius II Saturn, Items.png
 Blue Power Capsule
Destroys all on-screen enemies when collected. This item appears after every 12 Red Power Capsules.

Power meter

Upgrades

The player can choose from four weapon load-outs. All of them contain Speed Up, which increases the movement speed of the ship (up to 5 levels), and Option, which creates an orange orb that follows the ship and replicates its fire (up to 4 options). The Double and Laser power-ups are mutually exclusive upgrades to the main weapon; choosing one removes the other if equipped, but the player can switch freely between them throughout the game.

Gradius II Saturn, Power Meter.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power Meter.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power Meter.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power Meter.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power Meter.png
 Description
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
 This is the same weapon load-out as the original Gradius.
  • Missile: Adds missiles as a secondary weapon, which are dropped in a downward arc and slide across the ground.
  • Double: Adds a second shot to the main weapon, fired at a 45-degree angle upwards.
  • Laser: Changes the main weapon to long, piercing lasers.
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
 This load-out that can do high damage with its bombs but has relatively scant coverage and requires more precise control to use.
  • Spread Bomb: Adds spread bombs as a secondary weapon, which are dropped downwards and explode in an area for high damage after hitting an enemy or the ground.
  • Tail Gun: Adds a second shot to the main weapon, fired directly behind the ship.
  • Laser: Changes the main weapon to long, piercing lasers.
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
 This load-out covers a large area with its main weapons, though its torpedoes are trickier to target effectively.
  • Photon Torpedo: Adds photon torpedoes as a secondary weapon, which are dropped directly downward one at a time and slide along the ground. They can penetrate through multiple targets.
  • Double: Adds a second shot to the main weapon, fired at a 45-degree angle upwards.
  • Ripple: Changes the main weapon to ring-shaped projectiles that expand as they travel.
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
 This load-out incorporates the 2-Way missiles and the Ripple Laser from Salamander.
  • 2-Way: Adds missiles as a secondary weapon, which are fired two at a time at upwards and downwards angles. These missiles do not travel along the ground.
  • Tail Gun: Adds a second shot to the main weapon, fired directly behind the ship.
  • Ripple: Changes the main weapon to ring-shaped projectiles that expand as they travel.
Shields

The player can select one of two shielding types, independently from the weapon load-out, which are activated by choosing ? from the power meter.

Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
 Shield
Creates two shields that protect the front of the ship and can withstand 15 hits.
Gradius II Saturn, Power-Ups.png
 Force Field
Ensconces the ship in a protective barrier that protects it in all directions and can withstand 3 hits.

Stages

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 1.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 1 Boss.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 1.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 1 Boss.png

人工太陽ステージ (Artificial Sun Stage)

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 2.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 2 Boss.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 2.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 2 Boss.png

エイリアンステージ (Alien Stage)

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 3.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 3 Boss.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 3.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 3 Boss.png

結晶ステージ (Crystal Stage)

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 4.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 4 Boss.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 4.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 4 Boss.png

火山ステージ (Volcano Stage)

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 5.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 5.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

リベンジ・オブ・モアイステージ (Revenge of Moai Stage)

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 6-1.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 6-2.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 6-3.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 6 Boss.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 6-1.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 6-2.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 6-3.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 6 Boss.png

高速迷路ステージ (High-Speed Maze Stage)

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 1.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 2.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 3.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 4.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 5.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 6.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 1.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 2.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 3.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 4.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 5.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 7 Boss 6.png

ボス・オンパレードステージ (Boss Rush Stage)

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 8-1.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 8-1 Boss.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 8-2.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 8-2 Boss.png

Gradius II Saturn, Stage 8-3 Boss.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 8-1.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 8-1 Boss.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 8-2.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 8-2 Boss.png

  • Gradius II Saturn, Stage 8-3 Boss.png

要基ステージ (Key Stage)

Production credits

Gradius

  • Director: H."Spark"Ueda
  • Program: H."Spark"Ueda, Ryo Sonoba, Takayuki Kobayashi, Nayami Naizo-, 38, Kei Chigasaki
  • Graphic: INU, K-9
  • Sound: Kiyohiko Yamane, AKT, NOR, Akira Yamaoka
  • Op.Movie Bgm: Motoaki Furukawa
  • Staff Roll Bgm: Miki Higashino
  • Op.Movie Design: Reiko Hagiwara, Yukito Komori, M.Shiraishi, Takashi Mizutani, H.Funauchi
  • Package Design: A.Karibe
  • Special Thanks: Gradius Arcade Original Team, SS Bug Checkers
  • Producer: Kazumi Kitaue
  • Supervisor: Halky
  • Presented by: Konami®
Source:
In-game credits
Gradius Deluxe Pack, Gradius Saturn credits.pdf
[3]

Gradius II

  • Director: H."Spark"Ueda
  • Game Programmer: 38, M.Fururu, Kei Chigasaki, H."Spark"Ueda, Ryo Sonoba, T.Kobayashi
  • Graphic Designer: INU, K-9
  • Sound Editor: Kiyohiko Yamane, AKT, NOR, Akira Yamaoka
  • Title Music: Motoaki Furukawa
  • Visual Designer: Reiko Hagiwara, Yukiko Komori, T.Mizutani, M.Shiraishi, H.Funauchi
  • Package Designer: A.Karibe
  • Special Thanks: Gradiusii Arcade Team, SS Bug Checkers
  • Supervisor: Halky
  • Producer: Kazumi Kitaue
  • Presented by: Konami®
Source:
In-game credits
Gradius Deluxe Pack, Gradius II Saturn credits.pdf
[4]

Magazine articles

Main article: Gradius Deluxe Pack/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR) NTSC-J
50
[5]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
63
[6]
Fun Generation (DE) NTSC-J
70
[7]
GameFan (US) NTSC
68
[8]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-J
40
[9]
MAN!AC (DE) NTSC-J
68
[10]
Mega Force (FR) NTSC-J
70
[11]
Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-J
76
[12]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
77
[13]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
77
[14]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
86
[15]
Video Games (DE) NTSC-J
77
[16]
Sega Saturn
 68
Based on
12 reviews

Gradius Deluxe Pack

Saturn, JP
GradiusDeluxePack Saturn JP Box Back.jpgGradiusDeluxePack Saturn JP Box Front.png
Cover
GradiusDeluxeSaturnJPSpine.jpg
Spinecard
GradiusDeluxePack Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
GradiusDPSaturnJPManual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Gradius Deluxe Pack/Technical information.

References

Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to Gradius
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NEC Retro has more information related to Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou
  1. ↑ File:GradiusDeluxePack Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee2.html (Wayback Machine: 2019-10-02 10:31)
  3. ↑ File:Gradius Deluxe Pack, Gradius Saturn credits.pdf
  4. ↑ File:Gradius Deluxe Pack, Gradius II Saturn credits.pdf
  5. ↑ Consoles +, "Mai 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 128
  6. ↑ Famitsu, "1996-04-05" (JP; 1996-03-22), page 1
  7. ↑ Fun Generation, "06/96" (DE; 1996-05-08), page 60
  8. ↑ GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 6: June 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 18
  9. ↑ Joypad, "Juillet/Août 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 70
  10. ↑ MAN!AC, "06/96" (DE; 1996-05-08), page 44
  11. ↑ Mega Force, "Mai 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 41
  12. ↑ Mega Fun, "06/96" (DE; 1996-05-15), page 77
  13. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 12" (JP; 1996-05-24), page 70
  14. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-06 (1996-04-12)" (JP; 1996-03-22), page 232
  15. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 11
  16. ↑ Video Games, "6/96" (DE; 1996-05-29), page 94


Gradius Deluxe Pack

GradiusDeluxePack title.png

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Gradius / Parodius games for Sega systems
Sega Master System
 Nemesis (1987) | Nemesis 2 (1987)
Sega Saturn
 Gradius Deluxe Pack (1996) | Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus (1997) | Konami Antiques MSX Collection Ultra Pack (1998)
Sega Saturn
 Parodius (1995) | Sexy Parodius (1996) | Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius: Forever With Me (1996)
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