I finally 1CC'd Gradius.

[Dylan1CC]

So that gives me a reason to come back and post, been awhile. PSP version, normal difficulty. My final score: 387,400 Got partway through stage 2 on the 2nd loop. One reason I was finally able to do this was because me and one of my best friends were having a Gradius score competition all last week. Late into it, I had 246,600 and he got 1,100 more than me 6 hours before our Sunday 12am deadline so I pushed myself in a marathon session to improve at keeping my options through stage 4, then went on to stage 5 which is a pushover then played it careful on the base. Got to the last room before Zelos before I finally lost my powerups. Had to start over at the checkpoint, but kept my cool, took out the first two duck tanks on the floor, grabbed a speed up and then chilled on the floor under the floating cage and let the other duckors and spinning cannons above me do their thing until I finally got to Mr. Brain himself. Very cool feeling. I sent my friend an e-mail with my score and 1CC details to which he replied, "Wow, looks like I lose this round then" (because we move to Gradius II this week)

The only slight concern I have though is that since this was the PSP version, even though it took a lot of practice, I'm now wondering if I got off a tiny bit easy? I have always had it set on normal for difficulty (which I assumed was the default arcade setting on the PSP collection) and wait level 1 (which is supposed to be closer to the arcade) but I heard that supposedly the default/normal settings on the Gradius Portable are a bit easier? Or maybe I am wrong because today I've been comparing Youtube video of the last stage running in MAME and the only difference I can see so far is that the trap doors to Zelos' chamber seem to close quite a bit faster in the arcade rev than they do on Gradius Portable. Or do they usually not start to close unless you shoot the arms first?

Well anyways, slight emulation differences aside, I 1CC'd a Gradius game for the first time and it's a cool feeling. This is also my second 1CC ever, my last 1CC was Batsugun in summer 2005.

[Dragoforce]

Congratulations sir! Very appropriate considering your username

I too 1CC Gradius for the PSP quite recently. I was on vacation with nothing else to play except the Gradius collection.

[Dylan1CC]

Congratulations sir! Very appropriate considering your username

I too 1CC Gradius for the PSP quite recently. I was on vacation with nothing else to play except the Gradius collection.

Thanks and congratulations to you too.

[Jeneki]

Congratulations!

I can relate to this. Would you believe I just finished NES Gradius in late 2009?

Many, many years ago I made it to the closing wall after the brain, got crushed, and put it aside for a while. Back then I was more of a "hang out toward the back of the screen at all times" type player. Yea, I know ...

Finally pulled it out again last year, got to that part after a couple plays, and made it though. Low and behold, that's the end of the game . DOH I really wish I would have known that back then.

[Dylan1CC]

^^^
Haha. Nice. I still need to beat the NES version and plan on buying the PCE Hucard so I can play the extra/hidden stages.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

congrats good sir, ive been playing the emulated NES gradius alittle bit this fortnight and reading this tread makes me wanna seriously attempt completeing it

[pseudo]

i 1 lifed an emulated version of the NES gradius about a year ago

thing with gradius games is... if you cant 1 life it, you have about a .001% chance of 1ccing it or completing it at all if you die in one of the later stages. very, very, annoying (and tense)

[SFKhoa]

Dylan1CC: living up to his name, one game at a time.

[Dylan1CC]

congrats good sir, ive been playing the emulated NES gradius alittle bit this fortnight and reading this tread makes me wanna seriously attempt completeing it

Cool, keep us posted.

Dylan1CC: living up to his name, one game at a time.

Haha.

And I see you're still #3 in the ranking for Gradius Rebirth, I need to try and 1CC that now. Maybe I'll survive long enough on the 2nd loop to make it into the top 20.

[scavenger4]

The only slight concern I have though is that since this was the PSP version, even though it took a lot of practice, I'm now wondering if I got off a tiny bit easy? I have always had it set on normal for difficulty (which I assumed was the default arcade setting on the PSP collection) and wait level 1 (which is supposed to be closer to the arcade) but I heard that supposedly the default/normal settings on the Gradius Portable are a bit easier? Or maybe I am wrong because today I've been comparing Youtube video of the last stage running in MAME and the only difference I can see so far is that the trap doors to Zelos' chamber seem to close quite a bit faster in the arcade rev than they do on Gradius Portable. Or do they usually not start to close unless you shoot the arms first?

Is it possible that the speed of the doors depends on how many power-ups you have? Just a thought...Because a lot of the game seems to speed up dramatically in MAME, as you get power-ups.

[Dylan1CC]

The only slight concern I have though is that since this was the PSP version, even though it took a lot of practice, I'm now wondering if I got off a tiny bit easy? I have always had it set on normal for difficulty (which I assumed was the default arcade setting on the PSP collection) and wait level 1 (which is supposed to be closer to the arcade) but I heard that supposedly the default/normal settings on the Gradius Portable are a bit easier? Or maybe I am wrong because today I've been comparing Youtube video of the last stage running in MAME and the only difference I can see so far is that the trap doors to Zelos' chamber seem to close quite a bit faster in the arcade rev than they do on Gradius Portable. Or do they usually not start to close unless you shoot the arms first?

Is it possible that the speed of the doors depends on how many power-ups you have? Just a thought...Because a lot of the game seems to speed up dramatically in MAME, as you get power-ups.

Makes sense because after I lost my power ups and went back to the check point, the enemy pods on the ceiling and the floor wouldn't fire off any more ships at me like they did before. The duck tanks and spinning pods in the next room were just as plentiful though, although I don't know if they decreased in speed.

[Thunder Force]

Congrats!

I sent my friend an e-mail with my score and 1CC details to which he replied, "Wow, looks like I lose this round then" (because we move to Gradius II this week)

For the sake of your sanity (and your friend's), I pray this 1CC contest doesn't go to three rounds.

*gasps in horror at the thought of practicing to 1CC arcade Gradius III...*

[orange]

the hardest part of gradius 1 ac is stage 4

[Dylan1CC]

Congrats!

I sent my friend an e-mail with my score and 1CC details to which he replied, "Wow, looks like I lose this round then" (because we move to Gradius II this week)

For the sake of your sanity (and your friend's), I pray this 1CC contest doesn't go to three rounds.

*gasps in horror at the thought of practicing to 1CC arcade Gradius III...*

Haha. Oh my, no. Believe me, I have ZERO aspirations, make that insane delusions of ever 1CC'ing arcade Gradius III (maybe SNES). I had little idea I was going to 1CC anything when the contest started. As I said before, this was partly the result of needing to beat him on the first go when our scores were too close for my liking. I've always suspected I could at least 1CC the first game, glad I was able to confirm that to myself. Now, the other games in the series are another story.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

been a total noob when it comes to the gradius series apart from the first one what are the other games like in the series? are they all great games? much harder then gradius 1?

[Ebbo]

The arcade version of Gradius III is simply outrageous, one of the most hardest shmups I've ever played. SNES version is more doable, but still just way too hard. Gradius II is also a hard one, although I've only played the PC-Engine version - but IMHO it's more enjoyable than Gradius III.

Gradius V is easily the most accessible one, since when you die you can continue where you left and even try to grab some of the options with you (atleast on default settings). And since I haven't got a chance to try out Gaiden or IV, I can easily say the V is best Gradius I've played.

[Herr Schatten]

been a total noob when it comes to the gradius series apart from the first one what are the other games like in the series? are they all great games? much harder then gradius 1?

Parts III and IV are derivative and uninspired. Both are hard as nails, too, especially Gradius III.
Gradius II and Gaiden, however, are thoroughly enjoyable and only a little more difficult than part I. Great games, highly recommended. Gradius Rebirth is quite generic, but it's fun and very doable.
Gradius V doesn't play much like Gradius, actually. You may or may not find that this a good thing, it's a matter of taste.

[Dylan1CC]

My favorites are Gaiden and II, they definitely have the best level design variety of any in the series IMHO. V rounds out my top 3, fantastic game with some interesting refinements but not enough variation in the level themes and enemy/boss types.

[tommyb]

I don't think I'll ever 1CC a shmup, much less a Gradius game.

So, much congratulations are in order =]

[Mortificator]

Nice work clearing the game. I guess you've moved onto Gradius II by now, but I think Salamander would have been the next step difficulty-wise, and Zach wrote a great guide for it.

Anyway, this is pretty anal, but Zelos (or Xaerous) is the name of the fortress the last stage takes place in. The brain is just a brain.

[neorichieb1971]

I 1cc'd the Saturn version years ago on the 1st loop. I even died at some point near the end but somehow I grinded my way through a barrage of bullets and got powered back up with a bit of luck. I've never 1cc'd anything else since. Although i'll be the first to admit that I don't have the time or patience to sit through a single game enough.

[Aquas]

Gradius I (ac) is a cool 1cc. My favorite Gradius games: IV > V > I > III > II. II is definetely doable for a 1cc. Damned if I've tried the loop much, though.

[Dragoforce]

I'd love to clear Gradius III, but after spending almost 10 hours practicing stage 3 and gotten nowhere I gave it up.

[Dylan1CC]

Nice work clearing the game. I guess you've moved onto Gradius II by now, but I think Salamander would have been the next step difficulty-wise, and Zach wrote a great guide for it.

Thanks. Yep, my next 1CC goal is Gradius 2 then possibly Gaiden (not so much during the 5 week contest with my friend though). I love Salamander but I'm going to focus on the main series for now.

Anyway, this is pretty anal, but Zelos (or Xaerous) is the name of the fortress the last stage takes place in. The brain is just a brain.

You're right, I forgot. No worries, I'm a slightly nitpicky sci fi fan so I appreciate the clarification. As you can tell from my avatar I'm also an MST3K fan, so maybe I should have just called him/it "Brain Guy."

[TrevHead (TVR)]

congrats good sir, ive been playing the emulated NES gradius alittle bit this fortnight and reading this tread makes me wanna seriously attempt completeing it

Cool, keep us posted.

Im gonna stick with gradius NES for a while, hopefully by playing this nearly everyday starting today i should improve my chances of completing it.

Although it might take a while cos i suck lol

I would also love to beat Lifeforce aswell since that the main shmup allot of retroheads always say they loved to play as a kid. Although tbh ive never played it so ive no idea what its like compared to gradius only that it is like thunderforce 2 in the vert and hori playing styles.

while im on the subject of shmups with 2 or more playing styles. Whats the name of that NES game that has a robot girl who can change into a spaceship and is a vertical shmup with sections that play like pocky and rocky. I was trying to find it on you tube last night but had no luck.

[Dylan1CC]

congrats good sir, ive been playing the emulated NES gradius alittle bit this fortnight and reading this tread makes me wanna seriously attempt completeing it

Cool, keep us posted.

Im gonna stick with gradius NES for a while, hopefully by playing this nearly everyday starting today i should improve my chances of completing it.

Although it might take a while cos i suck lol

I would also love to beat Lifeforce aswell since that the main shmup allot of retroheads always say they loved to play as a kid. Although tbh ive never played it so ive no idea what its like compared to gradius only that it is like thunderforce 2 in the vert and hori playing styles.

while im on the subject of shmups with 2 or more playing styles. Whats the name of that NES game that has a robot girl who can change into a spaceship and is a vertical shmup with sections that play like pocky and rocky. I was trying to find it on you tube last night but had no luck.

The Guardian Legend by Compile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmh6056U0Nw

You can get it cheap on ebay.

And if there's one piece of advice I could give you if you're really serious about this, it would be to just stick with one shmup for as long as it takes to 1CC it. And it may take you awhile. The night I 1CC'd Batsugun I had played it non stop for at least a month beforehand. I played other games too of course, but Batsugun was the only shmup I played for an entire month.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Unless im tired and just want to lounge around, what i tend to do is play 1 shmup im trying to beat nearly everyday in usually play sessions of 30 to 60 minutes (although i might have 2 or 3 sessions a day sometimes). Also i might play 1 or 2 other shmups casually on and off, but most of my efforts will go into the 1cc.

I find by playing a game in short sessions everyday works wonders for memorising the game

[Dylan1CC]

Sounds like a good routine, stick with it.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

i just checked a guardian legend review out on you tube and it looks to be a very good game, im gonna check it out.

[scavenger4]

Are you taking advantage of the hidden 1UPs and the Warps? (Only the NES version of Gradius has these, I think)