Gradius: The Interstellar Assault is the second portable game in the Gradius series, originally released in Japan for the Game Boy in 1992. It was released in 1991 in Japan as Nemesis II (ネメシスII?) and in 1992 in Europe as Nemesis II: Return of the Hero. It is also a sequel to the Game Boy game, Nemesis. Both games can be considered a spin-off of the main series, but unlike Salamander and Gradius Gaiden, they don't appear to be part of the official Gradius canon seen in Gradius Galaxies.
Plot[]
Only the blue light that shows a friendly ship illuminates the cockpit in the darkness which envelops all. The battle on the planet Nemesis is over.
The monitor indicates landing coordinates. As soon as it lifted over from cruise mode and preparation for landing began, a strange sensation came from behind, and on this very moment a warning sound rang in the cockpit.
"Energy reaction!"
"Watch out! Scramble"
At the same time as the noise cuts off communications, a cry and scream is heard on the cockpit. The light from the friendly warship disappears from the screen... The switch on the console is hit to find an emergency exit.
"Sensor maximum range!" the data shows on the display.
"Core-class? Battleship!"
The speeding Vic Viper immediately evacuates towards the asteroid zone.
Gameplay[]
Once again the player takes control of the Vic Viper and flies through five different stages destroying the Bacterian's army. However, unlike most of the games in the series, the game lacks many reoccurring themes that have become a staple of the series. Some of the more popular elements missing from this game are: A moai stage or any moai enemies, classic Gradius stages, classic Gradius music, and the traditional giant entity that is unprotected and serves as a final boss. There are, however, a handful of classic elements that are present such as Core bosses and even a portion where the Vic Viper must maneuver around a countless array of tiny spaceships like those featured in the original Gradius.
Ports[]
- A colored version of the game was later included in the Konami GB Collection series for Game Boy Color, along with other classic Konami titles.
Trivia[]
- This game has two explosion cutscenes. One of the Coreship, and the other of the Escape Ship.
External links[]
- Gradius: The Interstellar Assault at the Gradius Wiki