Best version of Gradius III?

kengou · Post by **kengou** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 2:33 am

I've been playing Gradius III on SNES (Wii virtual console actually, basically same thing) and it's awesome (1-lifed it to the last level once on easy...) but just today I tried Gradius III on MAME, and it was really different. I have to say I still like the SNES version a lot better. The graphics seem better, and I like the level design more. Also, you have to tap the fire button in the arcade version whereas in the SNES version you can just hold the button.

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:04 am

You can find Gradius III arcade ports on the PS2 as part of "Gradius III & 4" and on the PSP as part of "Gradius Portable".

The SNES rev. is, as you found out, quite different and preferred by many because it doesn't automatically crush your balls.

popawell · Post by **popawell** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:30 am

The Asian arcade version is not nearly as hard as the Japanese version.

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:30 am

Gradius III arcade is hopelessly difficult. I know that some have mastered it, but really, the difficulty of the game isn't in keeping with previous entries in the series at all. On the other hand, the SNES conversion is perhaps a little too easy...

kengou · Post by **kengou** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:34 am

I'm finding out how difficult the arcade version is, since I can't even reach the boss of level 1 on easy... I mean damn this is hard. Does anyone know if there's less slowdown than in the SNES version? I noticed that the SNES version slows down even if you just have 4 options with lasers (in other words, a LOT of slowdown, makes the game much easier though)

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:51 am

The SNES version slows down a hell of a lot, but the arcade version takes slowdown to a whole new dimension. Sometimes it looks like the hardware is practically crippled.

Mortificator · Post by **Mortificator** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:28 pm

I had a lot of fun with the arcade Gradius III at first. Then the second stage was tedious, the third was frustrating, and the fourth was cheezy 3D. By stage 5 I realized the game was more trouble than it was worth and stopped.

The SNES version is more playable, but you're dreaming if you think it has better graphics. Frankly, it looks like shit.

RyanDG · Post by **RyanDG** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:45 pm

bcass wrote:The SNES version slows down a hell of a lot, but the arcade version takes slowdown to a whole new dimension. Sometimes it looks like the hardware is practically crippled.

I agree. However, I have to say that the slow down in the arcade version is the only reason I was able to get to the final stage in the arcade game to begin with.

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 6:06 pm

Sure, you can use it to your advantage, but it can be so erratic, sometimes it will cause you to smash into something.

kengou · Post by **kengou** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:17 pm

Mortificator wrote:The SNES version is more playable, but you're dreaming if you think it has better graphics. Frankly, it looks like shit.

Both versions have their graphical problems. I like the explosions and effects of the SNES version, and it seems to have better animation syncing. In the arcade version 1st stage, the turrets don't touch the walls a lot of the time and you can fly your ship slightly into the wall or the lions/dragons and not die in some parts. Maybe this is a mame problem, I don't know, but in the SNES version everything seemed to fit together much better. Maybe it's just me but I prefer the graphics of the SNES version to the arcade.

LSU · Post by **LSU** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:27 pm

Another vote for the SNES version here. (It's probably my most played SNES game, too.)

It's a shame there is so much slowdown, but even so, it's really nice. I often wish it had been included on one of the Deluxe Packs with a wait option to remove the slowdown.

JBC · Post by **JBC** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:43 pm

I actually prefer the PSP version but that might just be because i love playing on that beautiful little screen. Hmm... i should order a copy of that Salamander collection soon.

thewestexit · Post by **thewestexit** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:57 pm

SFC/SNES version is a lot better for me, that arcade version breaks me every time I try it... the slowdown in the SFC one doesn't bother me now nearly as much as when the game came out, back when we all wanted to purge any signs of slowdown from all games (that and flicker) =)

ROBOTRON · Post by **ROBOTRON** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:57 pm

kengou wrote:I'm finding out how difficult the arcade version is, since I can't even reach the boss of level 1 on easy... I mean damn this is hard. Does anyone know if there's less slowdown than in the SNES version? I noticed that the SNES version slows down even if you just have 4 options with lasers (in other words, a LOT of slowdown, makes the game much easier though)

I'll agree with this post...the PS2 japanese version is merciless. I used to own the SNES version and it had a much more reasonable difficulty curve.

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:45 am

kengou wrote:In the arcade version 1st stage, the turrets don't touch the walls a lot of the time and you can fly your ship slightly into the wall or the lions/dragons and not die in some parts. Maybe this is a mame problem, I don't know, but in the SNES version everything seemed to fit together much better.

Nope, it's nothing to do with MAME, it's like that on the PCB too.

tviks · Post by **tviks** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:48 am

Is there really any other reason to prefer the Snes version other than it's easier for all the crybabies?

Seriously though, I like both versions. Both have some exclusive music and stages and they are all great. I just have played the arcade version about 15 times more, simply because the Snes one is so damn easy that there really isn't much to accomplish.

If you play the PS2 version and set it to Easiest, the game should be pretty close to the Snes difficulty (extra edit can help too). The PSP version can be even easier with the smaller hitbox, if you ignore the fact that PSP d-pad fucking sucks.

BIL · Post by **BIL** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:05 am

How is the wait control on the PSP Gradius III? Not that I'd necessarily make use of it, heh. Just wondering, I'd read it wasn't very effective.

tviks · Post by **tviks** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:18 am

Bill wrote:How is the wait control on the PSP Gradius III? Not that I'd necessarily make use of it, heh. Just wondering, I'd read it wasn't very effective.

Same as the PS2. If you set it to level 2, it's identical to the arcade original.

BIL · Post by **BIL** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:20 am

Awesome, thanks. I'd been putting off getting Gradius Portable, but TV-out on the new PSP model has made me reconsider a few games.

roker · Post by **roker** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:33 am

Mortificator wrote:I had a lot of fun with the arcade Gradius III at first. Then the second stage was tedious, the third was frustrating, and the fourth was cheezy 3D. By stage 5 I realized the game was more trouble than it was worth and stopped.

The SNES version is more playable, but you're dreaming if you think it has better graphics. Frankly, it looks like shit.

besides the "cheezy 3D" remark

I'd say your frustrations apply to Ibara as well

more trouble than what it is worth

-Bridget- · Post by **-Bridget-** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:47 am

My own opinions:

The arcade version is a bit too unforgiving; If you die, you obviously come back with that silly little pea-shooter, and yet the game will STILL throw obscene waves of death at you as if you had full options, lasers, missiles, and a shield.

Where as the SNES version is easy to the point of being rediculous. I can no-miss the entire game (WITHOUT bonus levels) on any difficulty without any trouble.

I think it just depends on your own personal tastes, as to which one you'll like more.

MJR · Post by **MJR** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:53 pm

So nobody here ever found out the hidden 'arcade' difficulty level in Snes version? The game tells it to you if you complete it on hardest skill level.

If my memory serves me right, it was activated by going to options and tapping 'A'-button (16fps it hints..)

So, if you think Snes gradius III is too easy, go for this skill level. I did manage to beat that though, after this the game says: "I give up. Your application: technical monkey"

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:03 pm

Yeah, I remember that. I think that phrase has gone down in shmup folk law.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:35 pm

The "arcade" difficulty in SNES Gradius III is still much easier than the arcade game. That is probably a good thing, though.

Aquas · Post by **Aquas** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:06 pm

I enjoy the SNES version more myself, the difficulty of the arcade version is annoying. Like someone said previously, I gave up at stage 5 when I couldn't beat the Maoi head boss. Plus, the bubble stage is freaking ridiculous too. But, I think these two versions can be respected equally with some difficulty adjusting (easy for arcade, and hard on the snes, respectively.)

The arcade version is a bit brutal for my tastes, I mean, if I can survive, it's a blast. But if I die, I just curse myself for a while untill I regain the courage to play again.

Bloodreign · Post by **Bloodreign** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 12:13 am

I love both versions but go with the arcade version, why I've no idea even though I owned the SNES version long before I ever played the arcade version (and own the SNES version once again), guess it's the idea that I could never straight up beat the arcade version, but know that the SNES version can be beaten with some practice (then again tviks took care of Gradius 3 arcade pretty handily, Gradius 3 arcade literally destroys me).

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 2:47 am

Prior to the advent of PC emulators, there used to be a lot of mystique associated with the arcade version for me. This was due to the immense difficulty and the fact that is was rare to see it in arcades in the UK. Because I hardly ever got to play it, I didn't get the chance to get good at it. However, the years roll-on, and I remember if first being emulated in an old DOS emulator called Sparcade, and there onwards, the mystique fell-away and laid bare the numerous broken elements of the gameplay.

In the years between it being released, and then emulated, I remember writing to Konami Japan, asking if they would sell me a copy of the CD soundtrack. I remember getting a reply stating that although they didn't do mail-order outside Japan, they would make an exception in this case, and send me a copy if I sent them an International Return Coupon (the international version of a Royal Mail postal order) to the value of the CD. If nothing else, Gradius III certainly had one of the last great Gradius soundtracks. Epic shmup music IMO, as was certainly the case with the previous Gradius (Gradius II/Vulcan Venture).

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 2:50 am

I'd just play one of the gradius games that are actually good and skip 3 all together...

JusteZero · Post by **JusteZero** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 3:58 am

Strider77 wrote:I'd just play one of the gradius games that are actually good and skip 3 all together...

LOL

SNES had a better soundchip than whatever they had in the arcade in 1989. So my vote is SNES simply because it allows the music to shine through clear as day.

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:09 am

That's a tough one for me. There are some tracks that sound better in the arcade version than the SNES version (such as the stage 1 music) but there are certainly examples of vise-vera (such as the plant stage music on the SNES version). There are a number of tracks unique to each version too.