Salamander Co-op
TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine · Shoot 'em Up / Action
Gradius
| System | TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine |
|---|---|
| Released | 1991 (originally 1985) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Action |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Gradius |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 6 |
Released for the TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine in 1991, Gradius is a shoot 'em up developed by Konami. This TurboGrafx-16 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1985. It blends shoot 'em up and action elements.
It landed about 2 years into the TurboGrafx-16's life. Other notable TurboGrafx-16 releases from 1991 include Turrican, Raiden and Columns. Among the 37 TurboGrafx-16 shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #10 by legacy score.
It is part of the Gradius series; on the TurboGrafx-16 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 Detana!! TwinBee and Parodius! From Myth to Laughter for the TurboGrafx-16.
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
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 cheats & codes
4 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | 1f0085:02 |
|---|---|
| Have Power-Up Speed | 1f120c:02 |
| Have Power-Up Missile | 1f1124:02 |
| Have Power-Up Laser | 1f10b0:04 |
Gradius walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Gradius.
If you like Gradius, the Matrix also picks…
Detana!! TwinBee Classic
Turrican Classic
Raiden Classic Co-op
Ordyne Deep cut
Pop'n TwinBee Deep cut
Image Fight Classic
Playing TurboGrafx-16 games today
The TurboGrafx library is a shmup fan's dream and full of games most Western players never tried. The TurboGrafx-16 Mini and Nintendo Switch Online have brought many of them back.
Gradius FAQ
When did Gradius come out on the TurboGrafx-16?
Gradius was released for the TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine in 1991; 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.