GRADIUS / NEMESIS 🗿 Versions Comparison ▶ EVOLUTION through its PORTS

Comparison video of Gradius / Nemesis / グラディウス (Konami 1985), featuring gameplay of the first level of the following versions:
0:00 Arcade (1985)
2:20 MSX (1986)
5:27 NES / Famicom (1986)
8:06 PlayChoice-10 (1986)
10:36 Vs. System (1986)
13:07 NEC PC-8801mkII SR (1986)
16:42 Sharp X1 (1986)
20:22 Sharp X68000 (1987)
23:01 Commodore 64 / C64 (1987)
26:20 Amstrad CPC (1987)
29:57 ZX Spectrum (1987)
33:55 MSX (SCC Version) (Game Collection Vol. 3) (1989)
37:31 TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine (1991)
40:56 PlayStation / PSX (Gradius Deluxe Pack) (1996)
43:27 Sega Saturn (Gradius Deluxe Pack) (1996)
45:58 PlayStation / PSX (Konami Antiques MSX Collection Vol. 1) (1997)
49:08 Sega Saturn (Konami Antiques MSX Collection Ultra Pack) (1998)
51:50 J2ME / Java Mobile (2004)
53:41 PlayStation Portable / PSP (Gradius Collection) (2006)
56:13 Nintendo DS (Konami Classic Series: Arcade Hits) (2007)
58:35 J2ME /Java Mobile (2008)
01:01:24 BONUS: Game Boy / GB (1990)
01:04:26 BONUS: Super Nintendo / Super Famicom (The Legend of the Mystical Ninja) (1991)
01:07:12 BONUS: Game Boy Color / GBC (Konami GB Collection Vol. 1) (1997)
01:10:08 BONUS: Game Boy Advance / GBA (Gradius Galaxies) (2001)
1:13:50 BONUS: Wii (Gradius Rebirth) (2009)
This video includes only official versions of the game. Please don't ask for clones or homebrews. They will be included in another video dedicated to unlicensed versions. Other versions have been discluded as they are pure emulation of versions already present in the video.
In 1989, Konami released another MSX version with improved sound in the pack Game Collection Vol. 3. In order to get this better sound quality, you had to insert a cartridge with the SCC sound chip while playing the game.
In the final part of the video, you will find gameplay from other versions of the game that, despite not being direct ports of the original game, have some very similar levels.
We have also included the The Legend of the Mystical Ninja minigame that allows you to play the first full level of Gradius.
Which is your favorite version?
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[@retrosutra]

❤ Support us by subscribing to our channel, and don't forget to click the bell icon to get new updates: kzbin.info 👉 Check out all our comparisons: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmbNcqNjdtR3oLs

[@hyaenaGemah]

I find amazing what Konami could pull with the MSX. Their games for the system are all very well done even with its limitations.

[@TheyCallMeBruce13]

I don't know. That scrolling is pretty rough. I understand the limitations, but I can't imagine ever playing a game like this on the MSX when I could play the NES version.

[@gaelg.c3256]

But no more *cries in Silent Hil*

[@profoundgenius9726]

@@TheyCallMeBruce13 the MSX wasn’t really made for scrolling graphics so it is very impressive for its time.

[@cristianmastrocicco4552]

@@TheyCallMeBruce13 Imagine if it was released on MSX2+

[@mrpositronia]

@@TheyCallMeBruce13 I remember one of my school mates having an MSX, but none of my school mates having a NES. Mostly though, it was Spectrum > C64 > Amstrad > Amiga > ST.

[@rickonami]

YOU DID IT!!!! OH wow thanks man! Gradius fans will love this. My first Gradius was for the MSX.

[@retrosutra]

You are welcome! Me too, I still have that game.

[@juangutierrez5400]

Mine was NES.

[@yousefslimani99]

@@retrosutra IKD My first version was the NES then Arcade!

[@EmeraldoTheDragon]

23:01 Holy crap, I had no idea the Commodore 64 was even capable of voice samples, let alone one as clear as this! Surely that must have used an awful lot of memory on the medium, especially as it seems to be the only "sound effect" in that version.

[@CraigGrannell]

Check out the start of Impossible Mission for probably the most iconic speech on the system.

[@bigjawed]

@@CraigGrannell You should also check out Ghostbusters as well.

[@ikagura]

I love hearing all these versions of Challenger 1985

[@retro3188]

And “Beginning of History,” the theme that plays in the *very* beginning of the game! I love those opening notes.

[@jumhig]

I was literally playing this on a Famiclone 15 minutes ago, how does KZbin know?

[@samuelthehobo4441]

Maybe it’s just a coincidence **looks around paranoid**

[@samuelthehobo4441]

@Charles Unleashed oh nice

[@beezle1976]

There's also an Amiga version that was called "Tinyus". The develpers had a theme of adding "tiny" into the names of their games, but the game is Gradius. Very accurate port too. Arguably the most accurate home port of the arcade version.

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

The PC Engine version is my absolute favorite version due to the arranged soundtrack. You can also enter the Konami code on there at the beginning of the game when you pause it. I love the SEGA Saturn version which is a straight port, but with additional options. The X68000 port is definitely an accurate port done by SPS. SPS was also responsible for SEGA's Thunder Blade port. I also loved how M2 gave a major love letter to the franchise on Gradius ReBirth on Wii, but since the Wii VC is no more, it should've also got a Switch release. Konami should get off their tails and do a ReBirth collection, and bring M2 on board again.

[@PiroKUSS]

Better yet, bring the franchise back.

[@user-on2ww7yd3l]

英語が全く解らないので普段は書き込みはしませんが、貴方の動画はみています。いつも凄いですね。

[@TheTenthArt]

I think the TG-16 port is THE definitive version. Its CD port of Gradius II was marvellous too. Kudos for the video.

[@soloparaplaystation6624]

PSP Port Is the definitve versión. It runs to 24 fps with 360 of resolución

[@benjamincabana4388]

Ha, mi saga favorita de Videojuegos... Aun me duele saber lo mucho que Konami ha olvidado a Gradius... Pero nunca se pierde la Esperanza, es bueno recordarlo con este Video... Muchas Gracias y un muy buen video!

[@TheRestartPoint]

I remember being transfixed by Gradius 1 when it came out in the arcades, I've loved Gradius, (old) Konami and shoot'em ups ever since.

[@vivekmantripragada832]

SCC music and sounds of MSX version is from far superior to the others !!! Amazing 8bit music !,

[@THEMARTIALARTSCHANNEL-bb4fx]

Are you on drugs? The pc engine version eats the msx versio for breakfast!!

[@Stillxxen]

I liked the soundtrack on Sharp X68000. Thanks for the video, I've played this one many times on Nes Clone :D.

[@kazuya8171]

Excelente trabajo, una referencia en comparativas.

[@rolingthunder8612]

there was a second official tg16 port included on the turbografx mini console. entitled "gradius near arcade" is tries to be a more direct port of the arcade version (tbf, the pc engine port was something of an enhanced port especially in the music department), even going so far as to include the "warming up" sequence from the japanese arcade version (in Japan, the arcade version ran on a system that used bubble memmory that had to be heated to a certain temprature to work correctly;the western version used standard rom chips for cost and reliability reasons). unfortunatly no one bothered to extract the RoMS exclusive to the mini and since it had the misfortune of coming out early in the covid-19 pandemic I doubt it sould that well to begin with. speaking of the japanese arcade version, the version present in the gradius deluxe pack features the warming up sequence as a skippable cutscene, leaving me to believe it was based on that rather than the rom version.

[@retrosutra]

Thanks for the info!

[@nexcellpride5454]

Famicom version seems more superior than arcade, except for 3 things: - Multiple orbs (Multiple/Option) was limited to 2 as Maximum. - Lack of up/down scrolling stages. - Collision error at selecting "Shield"; despite Shield at Arcade and MSX versions allows to protect Vic Viper only at front, in Famicom version protects all ship, giving origin to "Force Field" In that compilation, shown only the Nes version due to Konami 1986-1998 logo and extended copyright stamp. Famicom version has the logo used until 1986, also shows Hi-Score (50000 instead of "Gonami00" or 57300) and includes for first time the Konami Code. Famicom/Nes version of "Gradius" was one of first Konami's games with "Contra" sounds source. Also was first Konami game which surpassed Famicom/Nes hardware limit. (By example, the fading out music before facing sub-boss)

[@RENhoekLOUD]

La cantidad de option multiples servía para ver que tan potente era la máquina de turno

[@samuelthehobo4441]

Dang, you’re much better at Gradius than I am, although I don’t do these kind of videos so I don’t have that practice.

[@steuph1976]

My first introduction was Nemesis on the Amstrad CPC which plays a lot worse than I remembered but for a 1987 Shoot them up on the machine it wasn’t that bad. I still love playing the NES version these days and I discovered the PC Engine version with the CoreGrafx Mini.

[@retro3188]

I love that opening theme! I’ve even got all 12 notes in the loop memorized! (Beginning of History)

[@Halbared]

Comparing the 8-bits is interesting. The MSX main sprite looked really basic, bu the boss was very good, with the Nes, it's the opposite. I had the Nes version. The PC Engine version looks absolutely fantastic, like how I remembered my Nes version. :D I loved this game back in the day and bought the sequel.

[@tablettablet3028]

Konami made such amazing games back in the day.... Why did they have to go rotten?

[@kn0wname552]

While R-Type and Darius series who were one the rivals of horizontal SHMUPs showed us a new sequel in nowadays, Gradius never showed us a new one nor will of making a new sequels. It's such a big tragedy of Big fans of Gradius Franchise....:(

[@f.k.b.16]

Man such a great game! I remember playing it as a kid on the NES. I found out the second controller also controls the game at the same time. So I let my friend play and pushed the down the B button on the second controller with my foot making every power up he picked up give him more speed! 😂 I was cracking up and convinced him he didn't know how to play. He handed the controller to me and it played perfect then I'd hand it back, push the button down again... Oh man... He was so mad and couldn't figure it out! Ohhh the good ole days!

[@GamayObera]

1:15:48 the only time Metal Gear Mk-II was been implanted onto a Nintendo console. That's an partial Snatcher spoiler btw

[@shalpp]

Also a reference to Gofer no Yabo Episode 2; Gaudi is the name of the onboard computer in the Vixen

[@Daz555Daz]

When you look at Zynaps and R-Type on the ZX Spectrum you wonder what might have been had the game been given to a dev team with talent and time.

[@mypkamax]

The intro screen music of the MSX SCC version makes me cry.

[@dougiefoster6983]

Same, it sounds so nice.

[@joshyland]

Parodius makes so much more sense now.

[@yousefslimani99]

OMG The 23rd One How I Didn't Know About This One?!! Gradius 1 on This Game!!

[@cps1247]

Do Salamander/Life Force next please!

[@GirolamoReadyToPlay]

now there is Amiga Porting, and it's so cool like the arcade ;)

[@ObservadorCeleste]

The Super Nintendo vesion inside Mystical Ninja is only a cameo, a game within a game, just an easter eagg, and yet it is far, far superior than more than half of the versions shown in this list. Ha ha ha. And I understand the technical limitations, and release years, but still, it is ironic.

[@massivepileup]

Huh, why did you not get the laser in some versions? It's a technically demanding effect so it should definitely be shown in a version comparison as many ports had trouble with it.

[@VanilloBumbleboo1981]

best custom ringtone ever

[@AnimationMaster167]

OMG! Gradius is an Epic Game! And BTW, the MSX SCC version is amazing!!!

[@cristianmastrocicco4552]

I've heard that there is a Sega Master System version, based off Nemesis for MSX

[@retrosutra]

Yes, it is a pirate version by a korean company called Zemina. They made many unlicensed clones. This game will be added in our video about Gradius clones.

[@TheBoxGamePL]

my favorite console versions for (NES) (Arcade) (MSX) my favorite roster of gradius games is NES Gradius Gradius 2 Arcade Gradius 3 MSX Gradius

[@m.firzafadmaputra9569]

A Konami's SHMUP game is the spiritual successor to Scramble (early Konami SHMUP game). Spawn of their series for Gradius such as Salamander (Extra strong version of Gradius), TwinBee (Konami SHMUP series for kids and young woman) and Parodius (Gradius x Cuphead collaboration). 8-bit version of Gradius => NES/Family Computer, MSX, C64, AMSTRAD Color Personal Computer, Speccy, Game Boy & Game Boy Color, PS1 (through MSX on console compilation), SEGA Saturn (through MSX on console compilation) 16-bit version of Gradius => Arcade, PS1 (through compilation), SEGA Saturn (through compilation), PSP (through compilation), Nintendo DS (through compilation), Mobile (Java), PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 and also include on Rebirth version

[@m.firzafadmaputra9569]

Gradius is the most important Konami IPs before New Konami Trinity (Castlevania, Contra and Metal Gear (widely known as Metal Gear Solid))

[@MattTheSpratt]

definitely turbografx, msx with the scc equipped and, i know it's cheating a bit, but rebirth

[@mortenera2294]

With smooth scrolling and some more colors, the MSX version could've been something amazing

[@AmigaShorts]

The MSX had a limited color set, also it wasn’t built for smooth FPS, the MSX version pushed the limits of the Computer.

[@technetti4206]

It already exists as Enhanced Arcade GFX & SCC version of Nemesis and can be played online at File-Hunter MSX emulator. And yes, it is amazing

[@juangutierrez5400]

Best music ever!

[@djstephennicholls]

music on turbographix beautiful even better than arcade even the graphics look better than the arcade

[@ZeroHourProductions407]

Didn't a hockey game on the nes have that first boss as a microgame sized thing for the intermission? Might have been another konami game. But it's been so long, i forgot the title.

[@user-gu5wy1to1v]

Blades of Steel!

[@Fadingfool]

Loved it on the msx (a friend's machine) then I bought the Amstrad cpc version and I was so disappointed 😞

[@Azuris190]

No Pirate Cat Ships? No Pinguins? No Octopus? Thats way to normal :P

[@irfanafendi4837]

Remember, this is Gradius, not Parodius.

[@ikagura]

Wrong game

[@maxtes252]

My favorite version is Parodius.

[@gregoryhayball]

Just goes to show how great the Sharp X6800 was. Shame it never really made it out of Japan.

[@KonaKonaKaabisteru]

Speaking of, someone's working on porting Gradius III on SharpX68000. 🤩

[@user-om5gg1xc4x]

23:00 ここからシバラクそこはかとなく漂う“バッタモン”感～！（苦笑） 気を取り直して（？） 1:25 21:45 39:07 1:06:05 聴き比べてみよう。 54:30 PSP版は・・・まるで画面の印象が「ダライアス」？！

[@steveharris2451]

I sometimes play gradius on the Wii with classic controller

[@steveharris2451]

5:27 to be exact

[@seanbon74]

C64 looks so original compared to the others.Almost like a different game(in a good way.

[@gryzord9231]

Se genial todos

[@arumoh]

10年くらい前にmixi上で遊べたmixiアプリ版が入っていないかな

[@RENhoekLOUD]

Mis respetos para los que tuvieron de estos ordenadores inferiores a una Nes

[@herusatan]

It's regrettable that there are no remodeling editions in X1 and X68000.Because that's quite wonderful, I hope that you see.

[@ParisFletcher]

TG16 🔥

[@fc547]

2021 Gradius Coming soon

[@Solaris_gaming-slime]

R-typeもそうだけどこの頃は無茶移植が多かったんやなって…

[@gjtrue]

When are we gonna get our long overdue *Gradius VI* and *Salamander 3* man? 😪😪😪

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

Konami should hire M2 for that. I mean, they did work on the ReBirth series.

[@JMDAmigaMusic]

Someone tell zeusdaz! Nemesis on speccy for 5h17 game time!!!

[@zxspectrum16KB]

Is it possible to download the chiptune music file anywhere?

[@TanookiSuit]

Great spread, kind of was a downhill slide for a time after the sharp until the nicer audio MSX release, still the TG16/PCE version kills it as the best all around play, audio, visual in the 80s choices as it's just remarkable. Really dig the extras, nice seeing the Uk version of the Konami GB Collectoin at play, amazing selection on all 4 of those volumes and #4 has the Gradius(and Castlevania) sequel too. Still amazes me though how well the GB did the series justice, even taking down the NES at the time with a nicer flowing detailed game (even the Core was larger.) The DS emulated copy was pretty great too, had that in the day as well, just harder to play due to the small window and tiny bullets, a problem in those days on the little panels when a game didn't get tweaked for it like the made for gameboy couple of titles. Grabbed the Konami arcade package on Steam when it was finally 75% off a week back, got to fire that up and get the original experience as it has been ages.

[@theimperfectgod7140]

Huh!? Every 10k points a blue capsule appears? 🗿 Oh wow... is that the same or similar to other games...

[@lokibau]

me 30 years ago playing this at PAL lower frame rate and feeling a nintendo wizard

[@foxsky4336]

Good bon principe

[@foxsky4336]

emblematique série SECRET !!!

[@aljawisa]

18:00 Sharp X1 getting attacked by uncle sam.

[@yousefslimani99]

But They Didn't Release "Gradius" on Genesis or Master System I Wish They Does😭😭😭😭

[@ScoopexUs]

No Amiga version. :'( Japan was still stuck in 8-bit.

[@daishi5571]

You know this by now, but for those that don't "Tinyus" does a great job of bringing an authentic look, sound and feel Gradius/Nemesis clone to the Amiga. The Beta was just released.

[@Indomable2023]

Hi. Where i can get gradius 1 for super Nintendo?????

[@caseystrange]

The NES, PC10 and Vs versions are all the exact same game. I don't get why these uploaders treat them as seperate games. They're not. Just wasting time. The Mystical Ninja version sounds awesome!

[@swapd0]

El video de la version de spectrum tiene cortes... jeje, era igual de difícil que de mala XD

[@retrosutra]

Muy difícil. Tuve que recurrir a savestates para pasarme el nivel sin perder una vida. La "hitbox" de la nave es exageradamente grande...

[@xenobioz]

The c64 version is always zoomed in on your videos.

[@xenobioz]

The amstrad looks even more zoomed in.

[@Fortuna1]

Es posible de "clones y derivados de pac man"?

[@jon692354]

J2ME version is so hilarious xD

[@baerishlyakita3711]

That music is like 4 second loops, but sounds like the sound chip got drunk

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

Why were some versions called Nemesis?

[@maxwelljrroble3761]

Game on

[@gonzalofernandez2693]

Yo tengo todos los némesis 😂😂

[@BOLSUS]

51:57 Sped XD

[@SILENTROOMMF2D]

NES 🎮🤗✨

[@shalpp]

The SCC is the best sounding version of the game by far. Konami dropped the ball on the TG-16, it should sound better than the MSX but somehow sounds worse

[@jasonlee7816]

it could’ve been the PC Engine/TurboGrafx limits or the TG Gradius port (version) was released on a lazy (rushed) 2, 3, 4, 5 Megabit HuCard probably won’t (wouldn’t) be much room for better audio, music, sound

[@shalpp]

@@jasonlee7816 pce is the more powerful console all around. There's literally no excuse other than inexperienced sound programmers who didn't have access to Konamis prior assets. Nearly every game released on the system suffered, save for parodius and gradius 2 (it's all cdda but the sound effects are very very close to the arcade) Hell it even extends to snatcher, where it manages to sound worse than both the msx and pc88 versions

[@julienbraudel7109]

All of you sound like arrogant people. TG-16 versions sounds actually nice, and was adapted brillantly by the great Kazuki Muraoka. PCE has a different sound processor than the SCC and you can't have the same type of sounds on it. You prefer the sounds of the SCC processor, fine; but don't say it is worse or bad.

[@maxhemenway]

53:19

[@renatoclele9951]

MSX forever

[@Abdullah-vy9no]

You forgot the msx2 version

[@kha919khakha5]

Please video street fighter 1

[@mortenera4423]

Too bad the Amiga/Atari ST didn't receive a port of this classic

[@jasonlee7816]

if they update the audio, graphics, music, sound, visuals it would be worth it

[@jasonlee7816]

Amiga might or would probably gotten a lazy port of the Atari ST version

[@Romantic8793]

Sharp X68000

[@GlitchAGES]

Parodius anyone?

[@armandogerardodeleonchitica]

The game is.complicated for me

[@dyscotopia]

I am baffled why anyone would release an MSX collection for the playstation or saturn for any games prior to the MSX 3. They're painful to watch.

[@user-lk4lz8dg2i]

愛新持栄隊総館超久保田勉安全自殺対策大臣!仕事対策大臣!ゲーム大臣!地方活性化大臣!

[@yeakass1]

No PS2 version? 😢

[@jaitheminecraftgamer5046]

Let’s Compare Gradius / Nemesis 1: Arcade (1985) 2: Msx (1986) 3: NES (1986) 4: Playchoice-10 (1986) 5: Vs System (1986) 6: Nec Pc-8801mkll Sr (1986) 7: Sharp X1 (1986) 8: Sharp X68000 (1987) 9: Commodore 64 (1987) 10: Amstrad Cpc (1987) 11: Zx Spectrum (1987) 12: Msx (SCC Version) (Game Collection Vol 3) (1989) 13: Turbografx-16 (1991) 14: Playstation (Gradius Deluxe Pack) (1996) 15: Playstation (Konami Antiques Msx Collection Vol 1) (1997) 16: Saturn (Konami Antiques Msx Collection Ultra Pack) (1998) 17: J2me (2004) 18: PSP (Gradius Collection) (2006) 19: Nintendo Ds (Konami Classic Series: Arcade Hits (2007) 20: J2me (2008) 21: Game Boy (1990) 22: Super Nintendo (The Legend Of The Mystical Ninja (1991) 23: Game Boy Colour (Konami Gb Collection Vol 1) (1997) 24: Game Boy Advance (Gradius Galaxies) (2001) 25: Nintendo Wii (Gradius Rebirth) (2009)

[@poble]

are you a bot

[@elvisrobotbeta3299]

I can't understand why some of the versions have the stage 1 boss between the two volcanos and others after that, in the space....

[@JMDAmigaMusic]

Technical limitations on show the boss OR the background

[@juanchol21]

Tio, con todo el respeto, haces los videos demasiado largos, absolutamente nadie se va a ver 1 hora de gameplay de gradius, con unas primeras impresiones vale XD un saludo

[@benjamincabana4388]

Yo si me vi la hora ._. Xd

[@juanchol21]

@@benjamincabana4388 na de locos

[@josemariapena4226]

Si es cierto demasiado además ni tienen comentarios , con hacerlos más cortitos es suficiente, siempre termino adelantando los.

[@OuroborosChoked]

That's so weird... the X68000 version looks remarkably like the sprites from Gradius III from the SNES. I wonder if Konami just ripped the sprites from the X68000 version for the SNES...

[@aar3564]

0:00 Whatmusic

[@retrosutra]

It is from PSX, Saturn Gradius Deluxe Pack.

[@munckdetectorismo7189]

Ps2 the best

[@Tretheperson]

first to say first

[@amerigocosta7452]

My favourite version is the PC Engine followed by the MSX. I've always been underwhelmed by the C64 version. I mean it's not too bad, it's competently made but the gameplay is off, it doesn't really feel like a Gradius game and the lack of a second fire button on the joystick really hurt.

[@jasonlee7816]

What did you like about the PC Engine/TurboGrafx port (version)?

[@amerigocosta7452]

@@jasonlee7816 Snappy controls, the game is difficult but fair and presentation wise I think it's slightly better than the original. Even the chunkier look due to the change in resolution, with the added v-scrolling I think plays in its favour.

[@janthoregrefstad251]

Hahaha. I rember How awesome i thought This was for the c64. Realizing its the worst port

[@alexk9295]

Lol. I have the same with the msx version. I remember it as the arcade version

[@completelyananimator4387]

Amstrad CPC 1/5

[@kha919khakha5]

I’m Arabic