PlayStation · Shoot 'em Up / Shooter
Gradius Gaiden
Co-op
| System | PlayStation |
|---|---|
| Released | 1997 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Shooter |
| Developer | KCET |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Gradius |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 8 |
Released for the PlayStation in 1997, Gradius Gaiden is a shoot 'em up developed by KCET and published by Konami. It blends shoot 'em up and shooter elements.
It landed about 2 years into the PS1's life. Other notable PS1 releases from 1997 include Grand Theft Auto, Final Fantasy VII and Duke Nukem 3D. Among the 60 PS1 shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #10 by legacy score.
It is part of the Gradius series; on the PS1 you can also try Salamander 2 and Salamander. The series also appears on other systems with Salamander (NES) and Gradius II: Gofer's Ambition (NES). KCET also made Silent Hill, Pro Evolution Soccer and Suikoden II for the PS1.
Gradius Gaiden supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.
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 want a game to beat together with a friend
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Gradius Gaiden 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 Gaiden walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Gradius Gaiden.
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Playing PS1 games today
PS1 games range from quick arcade racers to 60-hour RPGs. A selection is available through PlayStation Plus Premium, and if you own the discs you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Gradius Gaiden FAQ
When did Gradius Gaiden come out on the PS1?
Gradius Gaiden was released for the PlayStation in 1997.
Who made Gradius Gaiden?
It was developed by KCET and published by Konami.
Is Gradius Gaiden multiplayer?
Yes. Gradius Gaiden supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.
How long does Gradius Gaiden take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Gradius Gaiden 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 Gaiden 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.