Contra III: The Alien Wars Classic Co-op
Super Nintendo · Action
Gradius III
| System | Super Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Released | 1990 |
| Genre | Action |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Gradius |
| ESRB | T |
| Legacy | Deep cut |
Gradius III is an action game released in 1990 for the Super Nintendo, developed by Konami.
It belongs to the SNES's earliest wave of games. Other notable SNES releases from 1990 include Super Mario World, F-Zero and ActRaiser.
It is part of the Gradius series. The series also appears on other systems with Salamander (NES) and Gradius II: Gofer's Ambition (NES). Konami also made Contra III: The Alien Wars, Super Castlevania IV and International Superstar Soccer Deluxe for the SNES.
Gradius III 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 an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you have a friend to play against
- you've played the SNES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests
What playing Gradius III is like
Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.
Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.
Gradius III cheats & codes
129 codes on file (Game Genie, Pro Action Replay). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Start With 1 Life Instead Of 3 | DD8B-6DA4 |
|---|---|
| Start With 2 Lives | DF8B-6DA4 |
| Start With 4 Lives | D78B-6DA4 |
| Start With 5 Lives | D08B-6DA4 |
| Start With 9 Lives | D68B-6DA4 |
| Start With 16 Lives | DE8B-6DA4 |
If you like Gradius III, the Matrix also picks…
Axelay Classic
The Adventures of Batman & Robin Classic
ActRaiser Classic
Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball Classic
Mr. Do! Classic
Mega Man X Classic
Super Bomberman 3 Classic
Playing SNES games today
The SNES library has aged exceptionally well, especially its RPGs, platformers and puzzle games. A large selection is available on Nintendo Switch Online, and if you own the cartridges you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88, including online with friends.
Gradius III FAQ
When did Gradius III come out on the SNES?
Gradius III was released for the Super Nintendo in 1990.
Who made Gradius III?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Gradius III multiplayer?
Yes. Gradius III supports up to 2 players.
How long does Gradius III take to play?
As an action game, Gradius III typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
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.