Salamander Co-op
Commodore 64 · Shoot 'em Up
Gradius
Certified classic
| System | Commodore 64 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1987 (originally 1985) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Gradius |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 6 |
Gradius is a shoot 'em up released in 1987 for the Commodore 64, developed by Konami. This C64 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1985.
It landed about 5 years into the C64's life. Other notable C64 releases from 1987 include The Last Ninja, Octapolis and Airborne Ranger. Among the 157 C64 shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #12 by legacy score.
It is part of the Gradius series; on the C64 you can also try Salamander. The series also appears on other systems with Salamander (NES) and Gradius II: Gofer's Ambition (NES). Konami also made Contra, Frogger and Metal Gear for the C64.
Gradius supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the C64's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Gradius is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Gradius walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Gradius.
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Playing C64 games today
C64 games loaded from cassette or floppy disk, and many reward patience and practice. The THEC64 reissues make original-style play easy on modern TVs, and Rec0m88 supports the C64 if you own your games.
Gradius FAQ
When did Gradius come out on the C64?
Gradius was released for the Commodore 64 in 1987; the original game dates back to 1985.
Who made Gradius?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Gradius multiplayer?
Yes. Gradius supports up to 2 players.
How long does Gradius take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Gradius typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Gradius on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.