Topic: Hardcore Gaming 101 Presents: Konami Shooters

[PFG9000]

Has anybody else been reading through this?  It came out a few weeks ago and I've been having a blast working my way through it.  It's comparable to the HG101 Castlevania book.  This has me back on a big shooter kick.  There's lots of stuff covered in here that I've never played, but then there's all the Gradius and Parodius games, which are some of my favorites.

I know there's a few other Gradius fans here.  If you haven't picked up a copy yet, I highly recommend it.  And if you've never played a Gradius game, you owe it to yourself to try it out.  Start with Gradius III SNES or Gradius V (or Gradius Gaiden, if you can get your hands on the Gradius Portable collection for PSP).



http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/kshooterbook/kshooterbook.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Hardcore-Gaming-101-Presents-Unofficial/dp/1500737178/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1424320236&sr=8-3&keywords=hardcore+gaming+101

[X]

I own the PSP Gradius series. Got it years ago. Unfortunately I've not gotten my hands on the PSP Gradius side-story games. A shme too since they are a part of the Gradius universe and the games would not be complete without them 

[Shiroi Koumori]

I played Salamander when I was young.
Hmmm... maybe I should find the PSP Gradius game.

[PFG9000]

If you have a PSP and enjoy shooters, the Gradius collection is really a great buy.  It's still only $15 or so if you can find it used.  It has Gradius, Gradius II, Gradius III, Gradius IV, and Gradius Gaiden.  In my mind, $15 is a steal for Gradius Gaiden alone.  It's one of the best sidescrolling shooters, and one of my favorite games of all time.  It has a fantastic soundtrack and really nice hand-drawn graphics.  It also lets you customize the powerup bar, so it's easier than some of the other Gradius games.

[Shiroi Koumori]

I'll try and hunt for a 2nd hand copy in Tokyo when I go there.

[X]

It also lets you customize the powerup bar, so it's easier than some of the other Gradius games.

This was the case with Gradius III on the SNES. But not on the Gradius collection which has the arcade version instead.

[PFG9000]

True, but with Gaiden you can actually re-order the powerup bar.  So one powerup will get you an option, two will get you a shield, five will get you a speed-up, or whatever you want.  I go with Speed-up/Shield/Option/Laser/Missile/Double.  It makes things quite a bit easier, since it costs fewer powerups to get to full power.  You can also pick from four different ships (load-outs).

[X]

I've played Gaiden here and there. And it's nice to have the "option" for selecting the best options (lol) to suit your tastes. I just wish they'd have that on the arcade Gradius III as well. Kinda like taking the best from the SNES title and combining it with the arcade version. Or just have the two versions of Graduis III on the collection. That would've been sweet.

[BLOOD MONKEY]

The only ones I care about are

and

[X]

I know of Axelay. I also know of the invincibility button trick too    The game has some interesting tunes and with a slight echo in the tracks it brings about an atmosphere not seen in other shooters. It's also interesting to note that the golden fire dragons from Gradius make an appearance in Axelay too. Stage five I think.

This is my favorite track from Axelay;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv0mPucWn_E

[PFG9000]

What is the invincibility button trick?  I do like Axelay, but since I suck at shooters and haven't put much time into it, I've only made it to stage 3.  It's definitely on my list of "To Play More" games.  My very, very lengthy list.

[Bloodreign]

Gradius 3 on the PS2 and PSP collections does have an extra edit option (as well as an edit option, both time released), it contains some customizations from the SNES Gradius 3, like reduce and shield at the same time. Doesn't make the game any easier, just gotta play it like a man and watch it grow hair on your chest (even if the player is a female).

[X]

What is the invincibility button trick?  I do like Axelay, but since I suck at shooters and haven't put much time into it, I've only made it to stage 3.  It's definitely on my list of "To Play More" games.  My very, very lengthy list.

Here's the code. Although I play the emulator and rom of this game. It says that the Japanese game is the one with the code however I use a US rom and it seems to work fine too. Just to be on the safe side I always input the code during each stage.

Pause your game and press X. The word "Muteki" will appear on the life gauge to confirm correct code entry. REMEMBER: "Muteki" is "Invincible" in Japanese.

This is the gamefreak info however to make sure "Muteki" pops up you should keep pressing the X button.

[PFG9000]

Interesting.  Thanks!