#GRADIUS 2 PC ENGINE PS4#
#GRADIUS 2 PC ENGINE PC#

#GRADIUS 2 PC ENGINE PC#

Originally released by Konami in 1988, it was then ported to NES, Sega Saturn, PC Engine and more.

#GRADIUS 2 PC ENGINE PS4#

However, the deal between them and Konami fell through for one reason or another (my guess is because Konami was still held fast in the iron grip of Nintendo in 1992), and Gradius II was again left in Japan.If you're in for some classic arcade action, the PS4 is going to provide next week with Gradius II, that will launch on the console in North America as part as the Arcade Archives on July 15th. The game had already been announced as an upcoming TurboDuo release by TTI that year - the game magazines at the time even started covering the game in anticipation of its upcoming release. been able to pull it off, this would have been the first (and only) version of Gradius II released for a home console in the U.S. On a side note, here's an interesting bit of historical trivia for you - had Turbo Technologies Inc. If you have a Duo and are looking for a great shooter, I heartily recommend Gradius II. The extra stage and animated opening are icing on the cake, making an already superb game just that much better.

That minor quibble aside, this is the best port of Gradius II that I've ever played. However, it is present here, and can be annoying at times - once or twice I had to make sure my Duo was still reading the disc (it was) because it was taking so long to load the next stage. This load time was almost completely eliminated in both Gradius Deluxe Packs, and of course is nonexistant in the actual arcade game. There is noticeable loading time between levels. THere is one minor drawback to this version of Gradius II, and this can be more or less attributed to the limitations of the PC Engine CD-ROM hardware. On hard, Gradius II can certainly be tough. And if you're good enough to complete the game on easy or normal, don't be surprised if all you get is a nice shot of the Vic Viper and a message saying to try the next highest difficulty level - Konami saved the real ending for only the best players.

Konami was also nice enough to include a sound test which is accessible through the option menu. The music for this level is also brand new and exclusive to the PC Engine version. Sphinxes attack you, columns try to crush the Vic Viper, and you have to fight a boss that originally appeared in Gradius III. You navigate your way through crumbling ruins that are in the middle of a desert. The stage is reminiscent of both stage five of the NES version of Life Force (the Temple stage) and stage one of Gradius III. Konami also added a new stage that's exclusive to the PC Engine version. If you'd like to see what this intro looks like, check it out below (animated pic courtesy of SHMUPS!). For example, Konami added a PC Engine exclusive animated opening that showcases the Vic Viper and its capabilities - all set to some great Konami hard rock music. However, if you're used to the arcade game, you may be slightly (and pleasantly) surprised by some of the additions Konami made to the PC Engine game. You still have four power-up configurations and two shields to choose from, and all of the arcade levels are intact. Every detail from the arcade game is reproduced perfectly, from the level design to the enemy patterns to the design of the Vic Viper. If you've played the arcade version of Gradius II, then for the most part you know what to expect here. I was able to get a copy of the game in late 1997, and after comparing it to the port found on the Gradius Deluxe Pack and the ROM that can be played via MAME, it stacks up favorably - even surpassing the arcade game in some respects, believe it or not. Konami chose to use the Super CD format when creating the game as well as enhancing the arcade music with RSS Stereo sound, and the end result is nothing short of phenomenal. In 1992, Konami graced the PC Engine with a near arcade-perfect port of Gradius II. I've finished the game numerous times, on varying degrees of difficulty, and I like it more and more each time I play it.

It may be tough in spots, true, but in my opinion, it's far from impossible - even with a lack of power ups in certain areas. Much as I hate to disagree with an esteemed colleague of mine (see Kurt Kalata's review of the Gradius Deluxe Pack), I found Gradius II to be one of the most enjoyable chapters in the series. Konami - PC Engine Super CD-ROM² - 1992Įver since I first played it, I've loved the Gradius II arcade game.