Nemesis 90' Kai vs Gradius II Arcade

[KimagureMachibuse]

Thought it would be an intersting thing to compare the Nemesis 90' the X68000 Reimagining of the MSX Gradius 2 to the Gradius II Arcade game which is a completley different game to Gradius 2

Mainly looking to see how people compare The 2 Gradius II's side by side.

I have not played either games so i have nothing to really say about them.

[Austin]

I played '90 Kai last week for the first time. For some reason I had no idea it was a remake of the MSX Gradius 2 (I had always heard it was a completely unique title). I don't think it plays quite as well as other Gradius titles, but it's colorful and it was interesting seeing how it compares to the MSX original. It's certainly a lot more challenging than the MSX version. I wouldn't mind putting more time into it.

[SuperDeadite]

They are completely different games really. MSX Gradius 2 came out before arcade Gradius II. Kai is a little rough in some parts, but it was made by SPS (Sharp internal) and not Konami. Also note that Kai will load a more advanced sound driver that supports 4 channel software mixing (Oki ADPCM chip has only 1 channel), if the system has 4mb of RAM and is running at 16mhz or faster.

[bcass]

No competition. Gradius II is perhaps the greatest STG sequel ever made, and very likely the best Gradius ever made. When it first arrived in arcades it was regarded as a huge evolution on its predecessor. I remember when it was released, and it was a revelation on the formula. After arcade Gradius II, the subsequent Gradius games were unfortunately of case of diminishing returns.

[SuperDeadite]

While on the topic of odd X68000 exclusive Gradius games, I highly recommend: HELLHOUND. It's a doujin, but could easily fool people into being a real Gradius game. Fantastic visuals and music (FM or GS). It scans your system on boot and supports X68030 power for maximum smoothness, but still completely enjoyable on my XVI.

https://youtu.be/84ZCSKj91zs

[Sengoku Strider]

After arcade Gradius II, the subsequent Gradius games were unfortunately of case of diminishing returns.

I dunno, I think Gradius Gaiden turned out well, and people seem to love V.

[Mortificator]

I have not played either games so i have nothing to really say about them.

Strong way to start a topic.

The computer game begins with the same power meter as the original Gradius, then as you complete bonus stages, seven new weapons can be added to it. The arcade game give you the choice of four power meters, one of which is the original Gradius meter, and separate from that allows you to choose between shield or force field. They both end up having the same number of selectable power-ups total, but the computer game also has four temporary power-up that activate instantly and expire after 15 seconds.

Gofer's Ambition uses the traditional looping structure: you clear stage 8 and restart at stage 1 with higher difficulty. Gradius 2 isn't so much a loop as a U-turn. After you clear stage 7, you go though stage 6 again, then 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and finally a new stage that concludes the game. Nemesis '90 Kai spices this up. When you revisit stages 6-5-1 in it you fly through at high speed, and instead of revisiting stages 4-3-2 you go to two new stages.

One of this series' weirder customs is to have incredibly weak final bosses. Gofer fits that to a T, and is in fact completely incapable of attacking you. The core of Venom's ship shoots at you in G2, and in '90 Kai is actually pretty dangerous.

[Samildanach]

I have not played either games so i have nothing to really say about them.

Strong way to start a topic.

The computer game begins with the same power meter as the original Gradius, then as you complete bonus stages, seven new weapons can be added to it. The arcade game give you the choice of four power meters, one of which is the original Gradius meter, and separate from that allows you to choose between shield or force field. They both end up having the same number of selectable power-ups total, but the computer game also has four temporary power-up that activate instantly and expire after 15 seconds.

Gofer's Ambition uses the traditional looping structure: you clear stage 8 and restart at stage 1 with higher difficulty. Gradius 2 isn't so much a loop as a U-turn. After you clear stage 7, you go though stage 6 again, then 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and finally a new stage that concludes the game. Nemesis '90 Kai spices this up. When you revisit stages 6-5-1 in it you fly through at high speed, and instead of revisiting stages 4-3-2 you go to two new stages.

One of this series' weirder customs is to have incredibly weak final bosses. Gofer fits that to a T, and is in fact completely incapable of attacking you. The core of Venom's ship shoots at you in G2, and in '90 Kai is actually pretty dangerous.

I'm sure I read or heard somewhere (sorry, long forgotten the source) that the designer of the original Gradius final boss decided that players would be so horrified by it being a gigantic brain, that they would just lose all control and crash into it! I love that idea and in my minds eye I picture arcade players in 1985 getting to the end of the game and totally losing their shit at the horror of what they have witnessed, running around pulling out their hair and gnashing their teeth before probably having to be sedated.

[KimagureMachibuse]

No competition. Gradius II is perhaps the greatest STG sequel ever made, and very likely the best Gradius ever made. When it first arrived in arcades it was regarded as a huge evolution on its predecessor. I remember when it was released, and it was a revelation on the formula. After arcade Gradius II, the subsequent Gradius games were unfortunately of case of diminishing returns.

Best Gradius game i find to be a highly subjective take

Gradius Gaiden for me is the best gradius game no comeptiton even if it may be considered as a "spinoff" game to some
i still consider it to be the real Gradius IV.

but i suppose Gradius II is still a very great game no doubt and a better arcade sequel compared to Salamander