The Gradius Experience...?
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doctorx0079
- Posts: 1277
- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2005 4:16 pm
- Location: Dayton, OH
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I have Gradius on the NES, #3 on the SNES, and Galaxies for GBA only because I saw it pretty cheap some place, and that's actually pretty much been my only experience with the series (well, unless you're counting Parodius games... those are fun too). I've had fun with what I've played and have been meaning to do the rest of the series for a while now, but I just never seem to get around to it. 
I don't mind R-Type, I just think the focus is a little different in that series. It's still one of my fav games to go back to on my TGFX16 just for the hell of it. I've played about as much of that series as I have of Gradius, and I'd say they're both fun but I certainly am left with more of an itch to try the rest of the Gradius series before I bother with more R-Type games.
Also, WOW at the tat! (in a good way)
I don't mind R-Type, I just think the focus is a little different in that series. It's still one of my fav games to go back to on my TGFX16 just for the hell of it. I've played about as much of that series as I have of Gradius, and I'd say they're both fun but I certainly am left with more of an itch to try the rest of the Gradius series before I bother with more R-Type games.
Also, WOW at the tat! (in a good way)
I love the way that the first game, at the end of stage 1, makes some nice warm popcorn for you, whilst playing cheerful fairground music. 
Seriously though... The first Gradius was the game that originally got me into shmupping in such a big way, when it first came out in the arcades. Since then I've waited for every sequel, and I love them all in different ways (a Gradius Harem!).
Gaiden is my favourite of all - I think think it's very nearly faultless. I love V but it is definitely a Treasure game - the ambience is a little different from most of the arcade versions, and I really miss some of the series trademarks like a Maoi stage. The SNES port of III is a lot of fun, and the PCE versions with their extra stages are also really nice. But the very first game will always be special.
To me, it's simply the greatest and most consistent shmup series there is. Every game has character, and every one is high quality with lovely level designs and a great weapon system. Some of the restart points can be quite brutal, for sure. But we're all here for the challenge, right!
Seriously though... The first Gradius was the game that originally got me into shmupping in such a big way, when it first came out in the arcades. Since then I've waited for every sequel, and I love them all in different ways (a Gradius Harem!).
Gaiden is my favourite of all - I think think it's very nearly faultless. I love V but it is definitely a Treasure game - the ambience is a little different from most of the arcade versions, and I really miss some of the series trademarks like a Maoi stage. The SNES port of III is a lot of fun, and the PCE versions with their extra stages are also really nice. But the very first game will always be special.
To me, it's simply the greatest and most consistent shmup series there is. Every game has character, and every one is high quality with lovely level designs and a great weapon system. Some of the restart points can be quite brutal, for sure. But we're all here for the challenge, right!
I re-invigorated my love for all things Gradius about 2 years ago when I got Gradius V, and again a few days ago when I got the PSP collection. I bought III/IV for PS2 somewhere in between those, but for some reason the frustration level of III (arc) versus III (SNES) and the issues I had w/ IV past the Bubble stage kept me from enjoying those as much as I should. Now that I have them in portable form, for whatever reason, I suck less at III & IV than I did before, which is refreshing 
And Gaiden is quite impressive, and I'm enjoying that muchly, as well as FINALLY have a legit release of II in the US that I can play!
And Gaiden is quite impressive, and I'm enjoying that muchly, as well as FINALLY have a legit release of II in the US that I can play!