Jeremy Parish

Gradius again!? Yeah, it's Super NES Works #005 (Patreon)

Published:

2017-08-12 13:33:15

Imported:

2024-04

Tags:

gradius konami super nes works

Content

Good morning. I'm currently in a cab out to Garden City, NY where I'm going to meet up with Bob to present a panel on the history of Dragon Slayer games... but first, we're going to be recording a full Retronauts episode on the history of Gradius with Kurt Kalata, who literally wrote the book on the subject. Everything is coming up Gradius these days, it seems! I just covered it a few weeks ago on NES Works, and now here's a piece on its first proper sequel to get a U.S. release. Is it kismet? Or just the inevitable consequence of my content focus and the people I associate with online? We'll never know.

In any case, Gradius III for Super NES makes an interesting contrast to its NES predecessor, at least in my considered opinion. Agree? Disagree?

Files

Gradius III retrospective: Life at half-speed | Super NES Works #005

Konami makes its Super NES debut (and so soon on this channel after their first NES game!) with the third Gradius game, and the second to make its way to the U.S.: Gradius III, a verrrrry sloooow adaptaaaation of a murderous arcade game. While it doesn't show off Nintendo's shiny new Super NES hardware to the most flattering effect, the constant, all-consuming slowdown actually does have its share of beneficial side effects....