Gradius III (SNES) Playthrough - NintendoComplete

A playthrough of Konami's 1991 shoot 'em up for the Super Nintendo, Gradius III.
Played through on the hard difficulty level.
The Super NES game Gradius III poses an interesting conundrum for fans of the arcade game. While it is a very good game, it is not the same game as the 1989 arcade title that shares its name. It's largely based on the arcade game - many of the stage's themes are the same, and the graphics and sound on the SNES are close (though somewhat improved) compared to the original coin-op.
I will say, though, that I really dislike the arcade game. It's a solid game mechanically, but I don't recall ever playing a harder Konami game. It's hard enough to make it, in my personal experience, absolute misery to play. It might just be that I lack the chops to play it well, but I find it ultimately far too difficult to find it fun.
The SNES game, however, is a bit more reasonable, and a much better game as a result. Note that I use reasonable as a relative term here: even on the SNES, Gradius III is an exceptionally difficult game. I can't say that I've ever managed to beat it on the hidden arcade difficulty setting, and it can be totally brutal when you die at certain checkpoints since you lose all of your upgrades when you're wiped out.
It looks and sounds excellent, and it really left a huge impression on me when it came out just days after the US SNES launch. It leaves the NES Gradius games choking in its dust as far as the presentation goes, and thanks to improved use of color and an upgraded soundtrack, it was quite a showpiece for the console in 1991.
One stage is missing and a new stage has been added, and the rest of the stages have seen some heavy changes in the translation to the console. While this approach led many (especially in Japan) to decry Konami's claims that it was a faithful recreation of the original, the changes do make it a better game. Level layouts are a bit easier to navigate, some new weapons were added, and the SNES game allows you to continue from a game over (which was a huge boon), all while it retains the classic Gradius feel.
Of course, not everything came out smelling like roses. The biggest criticism the game tends to receive us about its performance. Like many early SNES games, it suffers from the developers' lack of familiarity with the new platform. Just like Super R-Type, Gradius III often suffers from some excruciating bouts of slowdown when too much happens on-screen at once. It does make some of the more difficult spots easier to handle, but it also means that you can easily run into a wall if the game suddenly speeds back up when you aren't expecting it to. Like Super R-Type, you can get around this with a lot of practice, but it does leave an ugly stain on what is otherwise an excellent shooter.
Thankfully Konami's team was a quick study, and their other SNES shooters (check out Axelay or Parodius!) didn't suffer the same way once they'd gotten some experience under their belts. It doesn't ruin the game, but it does prevent it from being the classic that it should have been. That being said, I would take this one over the arcade version any day of the week.
What do you guys think? Is the compromised speed a worthwhile trade-off for a more reasonable difficulty level and the other changes made? I'm curious as to what you guys think.
_
No cheats were used during the recording of this video.
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[@ladysnake8449]

The best thing about my 90's childhood is to see my older brother playing gradius 3 in the living room, those were good times indeed.

[@originarts2039]

I used to play this game a ton as a kid love the gradius series 😄

[@Chosimba13]

Damn. I had the exact same experience.

[@oscarrubio4616]

X2

[@gzus1482]

X3

[@C0lt3]

Same with my big cousin

[@Dorelaxen]

Even though I've never been able to finish it, this is still one of my favorite Gradius games. The music is just incredible.

[@METAL1ON]

SNES version piece of cake, arcade well erm yep cubes.

[@EnchantedSmellyWolf]

@@METAL1ON except the secret levels with high speed boost.

[@DocKaosBeats]

@@METAL1ON Wasn't a piece of cake for me and my Uncle lol shit took me until I was grown to beat

[@lunytoon2000]

I still haven’t beat it, let’s just say that

[@hillcityninja3155]

This game legendary. These youngins just don't know

[@fernandojosedossantos9769]

Every time when I read all these stories and memories that everyone had with games like this is so emotional. Looks like that all have the same nostalgic feelings.

[@gzus1482]

@@OriginalMasters From the very opening of the vid, its the music that immediately brings it all back. 😃😂👍

[@flankman9385]

Me, my mom, and dad would play this for hours. No guides back then so finally beating it as a family is one of my best memories.

[@SolidSnake684]

Played this so much in my early teenage years. I would hurry up getting ready for school so that I had extra time to play games, and for like a year straight I would always choose to play this. The music always helped calm my nerves before having to head off to school. Love this soundtrack! That damned speed level would always get me though, haha! I miss playing games like this where you could replay them over and over, and just practice until you could beat it with your eyes closed. I did the same thing with Contra, Castlevania, and Star Fox 64. They all just never got old, and watching this video really took me back to when I had this game down pat.

[@faisalhilaby]

lol you mustve played stage 1 a million times

[@jeromemallory9434]

Double Dragon games were the hardest to beat!

[@NintendoComplete]

As flawed as it is, Gradius III was a solid first effort by Konami for the new hardware, and it was a substantial improvement over the miserably difficult arcade game.

[@ElAlternaMusico]

Hey Hello. Sorry for the daring. You should play the improved version of Gradius III, it works with the upgrade chip of SA-1 version, therefore there are no slowdowns and you can play with real difficulty. twitter.com/HackerVilela/status/1126003826614513665

[@NintendoComplete]

@@ElAlternaMusico Oh yeah, I am familiar with it :) I've been practicing on that on my SD2SNES cart since the final patch was released. It's great.

[@METAL1ON]

Nowt wrong with the arcade version of Gradius 3 it was just the hardcore that wanted a harder game and the casuals couldn't take it. That said I never did finish it only made it half way through stage 10. And the arcade version has the best sound track of any video game ever.

[@gunengineering1338]

Not perfect for sure. But easily the bsst side scroll space shooter i've ever seen.

[@VenomStryker]

Arcade games are always insanely difficult. Because then people spent more money. Not so bad now that any arcades that are left usually have everything on free play.

[@Peter_Morris]

This is my favorite SNES game and my favorite Gradius. I used to run through Arcade difficulty on a regular basis on my old SNES (there’s one weapon edit combo that is insanely OP) when I was a teenager. I also had Super R-Type and U.N. Squadron. As much as I loved those games I just loved everything about Gradius III. It’s the music and sound effects. The SNES was the first system I ever got to properly plug into a stereo receiver, and hearing those tunes with their stereo effects and those big, chunky, multi-channel boss explosions was a revelation. It never got old! Even with the slowdown I think this is a phenomenal game. If you’re just getting into shmups, start it on easy and work your way up. Find a weapon combo that works and use the slowdown to learn the stages and enemy patterns. I had Gradius and Life Force on my NES age regularly played both right up until I sold it to buy an SNES. Gradius III was the game I was most looking forward to, moreso even than Super Mario World. I love that each stage has its own personality defined by colors, music, and enemies. That’s the way it should be in a shmup. And the ending! Absolutely perfect. I’m so pumped that you are finally posting a playthrough.

[@50PullUps]

What was the weapon combo?

[@adhitamaprasetya4220]

@@50PullUps I think E-Laser, Reduce + Full Barrier is a must.

[@sylvestrecantu7295]

You can easily find a patch of the game that gets rid of all slowdown. Just thought I would let you know since it seems you love this game as much as I do. Now you have an excuse to play it again!

[@alexl2475]

Bosses and music look and sound awesome for a SNES game. What people forget is the SNES had a lot of awesome shooters, the two Turrican games are my favourites.

[@Ohcanada28]

And the great Axelay.

[@602State]

Just busted out my Super Nintendo out the closet and playing this along with killer instinct.

[@moviemetalhead]

Hopefully Konami doesn't copyright strike (music) this awesome longplay. This, along with Axelay and UN Squadron are my top 3 SNES shoot em ups. Super R-Type and Aero Fighters follow up. Great vid, Alex. 🤘🎮🕹

[@EnchantedSmellyWolf]

So far so good.

[@lunytoon2000]

Playing this game with my brother made my childhood so much better!

[@METAL1ON]

The enemies at 34.44 left a non destructible corpse behind blocking your path on the arcade version, That was as far as I ever got on it. This version was a walk in the park compared.

[@sephoroith92]

Next to Darius Twins and Megaman, this was my first introduction to science fiction and I’m so glad it was.

[@sonicdeeofficial8925]

We know that the final boss is relatively weak!

[@nondeth3175]

Thanks for this, trip down memory lane, i managed to beat this at like 8/9 years old (on normal) and remember going and getting my dad every time I ran into a new boss. The "are you winning son?" meme fits so well for this game for me. Did a watch through just for the music, very nostalgic.

[@shakurburton9358]

This is the version I grew up with, got my ass kicked in, and eventually beat. Of course I'll take this over the arcade game. Especially for the God Tier soundtrack, at least IMHO.

[@Gotabigego17]

this game used to scare the hell out of me for some reason but i was so addicted

[@kcsalyer19]

Amazing job beating this game without dying once! Gradius III is a great but very hard game.

[@legostarwarsdude6728]

Welp Nintendo just released SNES games on their Nintendo Switch Online Service, but this game isn’t on there yet, so maybe it will come sometime in the future, also why haven’t they put LifeForce/Salamander on the NES Online, and where’s Gradius 2 on the NES, this is blasphemy. Great video by the way.

[@mbarker_lng]

Always like how you could slow these games down at will just by firing a lot. :)

[@bobbyamdro7987]

I got this for Christmas. I must have been 5 or so. Thanks for reminding me!

[@maxisoulcaliber8941]

Amazing playthrough! I remember playing and beating this when i was 13, What happened to gaming music? Thanks for the video!

[@NintendoComplete]

Thanks! And I know, it used to be so memorable!

[@Sammydx1]

Definitely part of my preteen years

[@thecowboy2]

The Moai the merrier.

[@ancientone5903]

The moment I played this game was the moment I enjoyed the music while playing Gradius III for the Super Nintendo. If only Konami decided to make a SNES/Arcade version of Gradius III with SNES/Arcade arranged music options.

[@MarshallFlores]

Playing through this now, but I keep getting my ass handed to me in the speed zone.

[@bassboi2001]

I used to play this game with mute on while listening to Anthrax among the living CD back in my teenage years ❤❤❤

[@barrickfischer]

Even if I've played its previous installments from NES and emulator, this sequel is my solid 90s game favorite. It introduces customizing the ship according to your play style

[@waynecuff3140]

Amazing game, Amazing soundtrack. The slow down doesn't bother me. Plus I have the SA-1 cart version as well which yes is perfect. The Snes was and is still one fantastic console.

[@BoricuaLouieV]

I never made it to the last level as a kid. The furthest I got was to the second to last level boss (2 alien crabs). This was nostalgic to watch and listen too.

[@Bloodreign1]

There's also a patch for this game that removes all slowdown from the game. I've not tried the patch myself (I only do ips files for patching, these other ones seem alien to me to try), but going from videos, it ups the games difficulty a bit more. And I'll be that guy that prefers the arcade version over the SNES version (I have two SNES copies, and the PS2 and PSP Gradius collections), unlike Parodius, where I liked both equally, and the SFC version even added an extra stage with the Bath House level.

[@METAL1ON]

Arcade version is awesome and evil but also comes with the best arcade game sound track ever.

[@Bloodreign1]

@@METAL1ON Yes, it really delivered an epic soundtrack. The difficulty truly tested the best players out there, shame Konami yanked it from arcades quickly I hear.

[@darkerfalcon3747]

Me too

[@bassboi2001]

I turned the volume off and listen to Anthrax Among the Living tape on in my Sony walkman. Thank you for the memories ❤️🇩🇴💯

[@alaggan]

The slowdown took the shine off it, but this was an excellent early SNES shooter and the music was fantastic. Probably also more fun to play than the arcade game on which it was based.

[@insolentish11]

Slowdown?

[@jacobschweitzer1068]

After coming back to this game after so many years I just realized how bizarre the game is

[@Shpod]

This brought me back.

[@mugzee84]

That lag did exist back then

[@TheUncleTom]

5 y/o me never passed stage 3. with no English and not understanding the weapons set up. i only knew i had to avoid and shoot.

[@andiarrohnds5163]

this was tremendously bad ass in 1991

[@Username-ng8jy]

After playing the arcade version for so long this looks super easy now lol

[@darkerfalcon3747]

It's just a different game.

[@Masutora]

There was a time where I was content with making it to the 3rd stage. Then my cousin taunted me for it. I then made it to stage 7. Eventually I was able to beat the game in a single life. Though I never mastered the bonus stages. Annoying family members are usually the most efficient motivation.

[@someguy5977]

Is there any special reason you choose the double laser? Or do you just like it?

[@GobulTheGobbler]

Nice flying! I know that took a lot of practice, you made some real ballsy maneuvers lol

[@jrimmanuelmusic]

Did you know if you max out your options, then leave the power up on the options box, and activate it you can move your options around?

[@edgeninja]

You can spread them out, yes. I discovered that by accident.

[@opa-age]

22:18 that music is just magical

[@luciebureau6815]

I never played it so i can’t tell my feelings. The sand stage reminds me of Dune(1984). PS : thanks to LongplayArchive, i learned that there was a NES game called The Goonies 2.

[@NintendoComplete]

Goonies 2 was good. I had that one as a kid :)

[@luciebureau6815]

NintendoComplete i saw your gameplay. Good work😊.

[@SnailMaster]

I always went with the rotating options. And did you know that you can expand the options outward? Make sure the option icon is selected when grabbing the power ups. Hold the A button. The options will expand outward. You need all four options to do this. I think it only works with the forward and rotating selections.

[@SullySadface]

I agree, the Arcade release is too much. This would be hard enough if you played on Arcade difficulty and patched the slowdown.

[@xhronoxapsulerasis]

0:14 Ima Kimi Ni Intro

[@smokey281]

i played this alot.

[@davidhollis9306]

Did I just see a no death run of Gradius 3 on hard mode no less? Impressive!

[@NintendoComplete]

Thanks! 🙂

[@DresSchultz]

I didn’t know it at the time, but I guess I was into EDM without knowing I was into EDM.

[@phillipmennor2585]

Got my Super NES the last week of August 91 after saving up over half the cost. As a reward my parents bought me this and F-Zero. The memories! Still have my original Super NES complete with these games as well my childhood collection!

[@HappyMealBieber]

This game is like perpetually in slow motion

[@Nbjk01]

loved snake option with mini spreed and C laser that was always my go to for concentrated fire power never tried the v option might next time

[@angrykermit3192]

I dusted off my SNES and started playing this game for the first time in 20 years and I can't believe how much I suck now LOL. I had to watch this video to see if I had ever finished it back in the day and as soon as I saw the final boss I remembered that I in fact did beat this game once. No way in hell I'd have the patience to do that now.

[@XXXtremeMuthafucka89]

Considering that recently Konami had released some Anniversary Collections of its games (such as Contra and Castlevania), it would be nice if it makes one Anniversary Collection for Gradius that might include the first two arcade games (even though those two are already available in the Arcade Classics collection, but still...), the NES version of Gradius, the Famicom version of 2, THIS VERSION OF 3 (THE SNES VERSION AND NOT THE CRAPPY-ASS ARCADE ONE), the Gradius games for Game Boy and maybe Life Force for NES. That kinda proves that Konami is slowly pulling its head out of its ass with all that Pachinko bullcrap and that horrendous bastardization of one of its most beloved franchises known as Metal Gear Survive... but it's still a looong way to go for them to make a real comeback...

[@PeruvianPotato]

Your asking too much from Konami nowadays

[@darkerfalcon3747]

IF YOU HAVE CALLED GRADIUS 3 ARCADE CRAPPY-ASS JUST FOR THE PAINFUL DIFFICULTY, YOU ARE TOTALLY A JERKASS! Gradius 3 Arcade is one of the great Gradius game made and i played so far. They didn't wanted to make the game painfully hard on purpose. But because it came out in a year, 1989, where game's operators keep putting pressure on developers because they wanted their game, extremely hard. Same for the original 1P Fire Shark JP version. So, do the favor of not call it crap-ass. Would you like it if i called Gradius 3 SNES, a DIRTY REBOOT OF GRADIUS 2? At least Gradius 3 AC tries to being a new game with new features and enviroments to offer. Gradius 3 SNES just took away many of the new features that the arcade version offers and replace them with the many from Gradius 2 AC, making him a reboot of Gradius 2 that takes the name of Gradius 3. Pathetic. I prefer play Gradius 2 AC rather than this imperfect port.

[@darkguardian830]

As a kid never have the chance to finished is just hard for me ....I'm 31 right now and still a challenge for me 😅 ..nice job...

[@RenGraes]

39:30 I never could understand what the hell that guy was saying. It was probably gibberish.

[@Scaraboy13]

RenGraes oh in the arcade port of the game the final boss speaks English and says this. I was born from the greedyness of mankind... While men exists so will I... then screams and explodes while an escape sequence goes off.

[@PeruvianPotato]

@@Scaraboy13 He sounds like a SJW

[@williamkalal7793]

Best Game Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@DataDashy]

Man that speedup zone is unduable on the retropi at 26:40 I cannot slow the craft down it goes so fast u go into wall and objects there is no way to slow it :/

[@VenomStryker]

I never could last long enough in this game to get all the powerups. At most I think I got speed, missiles, a couple of options, and the laser.

[@artemisiabellashcroft5119]

many reviewers said the same thing, the only things they complain about arcade version is the game difficulty is sometimes unnecessary hard. And i agree! i really give up at stage 7! that stage is the most crazy things ever i faced in this series! but well, despite of that, this is still one of my favorite gradius games as it gives me a lot of weapon choices, making this game has high replaybility value. In fact, i could give it to be the best if not because of unfair things in the game. Overall, excellent jobs, Gradius dev team, but plz no horde of shitty meteors ever, and again. *Note: i only try PSP (Arcade) version tho. so this is what i can said for now, thank you for understanding

[@littleboi5971]

Why does he make it look easy. My younger self always frustrated of dying😂😂

[@leaf3113]

Gradius III and R-Type. Really great game.

[@MOONRAK3R23]

Always loved the music from this game. Classic!

[@gengisjon]

I'm not saying they were the best, but a lot of my childhood memories begin with the Konami logo. Just saying...

[@jkvelasquez84]

I've always wondered about the grid that appears in the beginning. What is it?

[@koowermk2777]

28:41 Come on dude! What the heck are you trying to prove by squeezing between enemy fire!? My tumbs keep spzaming when I tried that...

[@iam.thefinal]

One of the first games that made me start liking OSTs in games. I watch this play though specifically for it.

[@dirtyjunkycars9182]

Sphere lasers are the best!

[@dqwno4900]

I used to play this in my childhood, and I now play the arcade version of this game. Nostalgia still remains when playing the arcade original.

[@matthewguinn7977]

Gradius III takes me 25 minutes to beat.

[@Daisy30y03]

Oh nostalgia, I played this game A LOT. Man, I got to the computer looking world. Didn't get pass that, still wanna play😁

[@johnlewisbrooks]

The only flaw that annoyed me was the slide show you'd get with too many objects on screen. Particularly the bubble level. Other than that no major issues.

[@RichardDuran-ry2sl]

Gradius 3 Yo Tego Ese Juego En Mi Celu

[@robertlong6027]

I kind of wish they made a new remastered lifeforce for super Nintendo too

[@mopbrothers]

This game is horrible, but it has good music. I also find the High Speed Zone map layout interesting. How big is that level?

[@Juanleo]

quisiera ver a la nueva generacion , jugando estas clases de juegos eran Dificiles

[@burgermane8839]

Playing this over my grandma house and remember seeing all of my family in and out the house. Damn I miss these times.

[@littleboyblue707]

MY Fav. Shmup on SNES. There is now a SA-1 patch for this. -80% slowdown on those super slow parts. Makes it 100% more challenging 😄😂😂😂 bought an Everdrive just for this and Contra sa-1 patches

[@ericd.beckhamsr.2305]

Brings back alot of memories!!

[@ohsnapizdanny]

28:40 !!!!

[@Wolfdragon92584]

One of my favorite early SNES titles. Much better than the disappointing Final Fight port.

[@Thewolfguys.cartoons2000]

OMG I thought I was the only one who doesn't like Final Fight on the snes! Streets of Rage ftw

[@frankfontaine2906]

28:40 Trippy future

[@andiarrohnds5163]

if someone could recreate 34:10 but with the best possible graphics but keeping the same music, that would be tremendously bad ass

[@homejonny9326]

21:02 - 21:13 I thought only 8 bit NES suffered from sprites limitations

[@williambatson2514]

I was always more partial to Parodius 3.

[@Lolashettem]

This was hard

[@wubba7336]

UP,UP,DOWN,DOWN,L,R,L,R,B,A

[@maddymuhat8079]

can you install these on snes classic mini edition?

[@PeruvianPotato]

Any game can be added

[@theonewhogiveslikes9390]

The game looks better at 1.5 speed

[@pedrobrazon6610]

before Konami up and died inside :(

[@NintendoComplete]

Seriously, it's like a hysterectomy done with a pachinko machine

[@thornuhh]

Greetings you fabulous Earthlings and Happy Wednesday!! 👋👽I bring thin crust pizza to all you friendly Earthlings 🍕Don't mind me, just cruising by:::::::::::::::::🛸

[@andiarrohnds5163]

oh crap its that game where you ruin god in the mouth

[@samuelallen2831]

Thus far, I’ve only gotten to the third boss on easy mode, and that’s playing it on an emulator (though I hate using save states.) holy crap this game is hard enough as is but on hard mode? Woof. Eventually. Lol

[@KINGinaMOOO]

The final boss was the weakest boss

[@Persac7]

I'm 10 and I beat the game

[@AbrahamCondori-sj9uv]

18:58🎵🎶🕹️❤️🥰

[@marcelocv6544]

Juegasoooo 🫡👏🏼

[@oscarrubio4616]

Is like megaman 3

[@wildmike85]

I bought this game but im only getting the asian versions on ps4. Kind of bullshit. I'm trying to look for this version of the game.