Gradius
Gradius is a 1985 shoot 'em up developed by Konami that helped define the horizontal scrolling shooter. Players pilot the Vic Viper starfighter against the Bacterion empire, defending the planet Gradius across stages filled with enemy formations, environmental hazards such as the fiery Moai heads and volcanic eruptions, and large multi-part bosses.
Its signature innovation was the power-up bar along the bottom of the screen, which filled as players collected capsules and let them choose upgrades such as speed boosts, missiles, double shots, lasers, a protective shield, and orbiting Options that mirror the ship's fire. This strategic loadout system gave players meaningful control over their build and became a hallmark of the series, though dying reset most upgrades and left a weakened ship to rebuild.
Gradius spawned a long and influential franchise, including Life Force and later numbered sequels, and inspired much of the shmup genre that followed. The original and its sequels appear in Konami retro collections, keeping the Vic Viper flying for new generations of players.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Gradius, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Drainus Indie
€ 16,99An indie horizontal shooter with a Gradius-style upgrade system and reflect mechanic.
Drainus runs on PC, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Cygni: All Guns Blazing Indie
€ 29,99A modern arcade shooter with shield-versus-weapon energy management, in the Gradius power-up tradition.
Cygni: All Guns Blazing runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
R-Type Final 2
€ 39,99A modern horizontal shoot 'em up continuing the tradition of deliberate, weapon-focused arcade shooters.
R-Type Final 2 runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Arcade Archives Gradius
€ 6,99Hamster's arcade-perfect Gradius port, with the original options and scoring intact.
Arcade Archives Gradius runs on PlayStation, Switch. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Xbox, Steam Deck.
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