Gradius 2
Encyclopedia
Nemesis 2, known as Gradius 2 in Japan
, is a video game released for the MSX
computer in 1987 by Konami
. The game is a sequel to Nemesis, the MSX version of Gradius
, but is unrelated to the arcade game
Gradius II
(which used the Roman numeral 'II'). This version was ported to the Sharp X68000
computer under the name Nemesis '90 Kai, with some graphical and aural enhancements.
In a departure from other games, instead of controlling Vic Viper, the available ship is called Metalion. Unlike other titles, this game has a heavier focus on story, which is told by cut-scenes. The gameplay is mostly unchanged from the rest of the series, though there are some powerups that temporally gives the ship some enhancements. Also, when the bosses are being defeated, if the Metalion flies where they are, a mini-level can be accessed in order to obtain new permanent upgrades, if the mini levels are successfully cleared.
. In the year 6665, he escapes and invades Planet Nemesis and the seven planets it controls with the help of Bacterion. The Nemesis High Council sends James Burton, ex-pilot of the Vic Viper, to pilot Metalion and attack Dr. Venom and the Bacterion invaders. The game takes place during the year 6666.
To get them, the player had to enter into the main bosses ship just after the big explosion when the combat ends. Then a slow alarm sound appears, indicating there's still time. Once the player gets inside the bosses, a short stage has to be completed (the same for every boss).
When the nucleus of the boss is destroyed, then the new weapons may be granted:
If the big boss was killed in less than 15 seconds, 2 weapons are granted.
If the big boss was killed in less than 30 seconds, 1 weapon is granted.
If the big boss was killed in more than 30 seconds, no weapon is granted.
On the X68000 version, you get one weapon, no matter how long it takes to kill the boss.
port is essentially an enhanced remake
of Gradius 2 with graphical quality on par with Gradius III
.
It includes two new stages exclusive to this version of the game, and 4 new bosses (two of which replace the rematches fought in the MSX version.)
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, is a video game released for the MSX
MSX
MSX was the name of a standardized home computer architecture in the 1980s conceived by Kazuhiko Nishi, then Vice-president at Microsoft Japan and Director at ASCII Corporation...
computer in 1987 by Konami
Konami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
. The game is a sequel to Nemesis, the MSX version of Gradius
Gradius
The Gradius games, first introduced in 1985, make up a series of scrolling shooter video games published by Konami for a variety of portable, console and arcade platforms. In many games in the series, the player controls a ship known as the Vic Viper...
, but is unrelated to the arcade game
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
Gradius II
Gradius II
is a horizontally-scrolling shooter originally released for the arcades in Japan in . It is the sequel to original Gradius and was succeeded by Gradius III. Ports of Gradius II were released for the Family Computer, PC-Engine Super CD-ROM², and X68000 in Japan...
(which used the Roman numeral 'II'). This version was ported to the Sharp X68000
Sharp X68000
The Sharp X68000, often referred to as the X68k, is a home computer released only in Japan by the Sharp Corporation. The first model was released in 1987, with a 10 MHz Motorola 68000 CPU, 1 MB of RAM and no hard drive; the last model was released in 1993 with a 25 MHz Motorola 68030...
computer under the name Nemesis '90 Kai, with some graphical and aural enhancements.
In a departure from other games, instead of controlling Vic Viper, the available ship is called Metalion. Unlike other titles, this game has a heavier focus on story, which is told by cut-scenes. The gameplay is mostly unchanged from the rest of the series, though there are some powerups that temporally gives the ship some enhancements. Also, when the bosses are being defeated, if the Metalion flies where they are, a mini-level can be accessed in order to obtain new permanent upgrades, if the mini levels are successfully cleared.
Story
The Director General of Space Science Agency Dr. Venom was exiled to Planet Sard for a failed coup d'étatCoup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
. In the year 6665, he escapes and invades Planet Nemesis and the seven planets it controls with the help of Bacterion. The Nemesis High Council sends James Burton, ex-pilot of the Vic Viper, to pilot Metalion and attack Dr. Venom and the Bacterion invaders. The game takes place during the year 6666.
Gameplay
New weapons:To get them, the player had to enter into the main bosses ship just after the big explosion when the combat ends. Then a slow alarm sound appears, indicating there's still time. Once the player gets inside the bosses, a short stage has to be completed (the same for every boss).
When the nucleus of the boss is destroyed, then the new weapons may be granted:
If the big boss was killed in less than 15 seconds, 2 weapons are granted.
If the big boss was killed in less than 30 seconds, 1 weapon is granted.
If the big boss was killed in more than 30 seconds, no weapon is granted.
On the X68000 version, you get one weapon, no matter how long it takes to kill the boss.
Stages and bosses
There are a total of fourteen normal levels and two bonus levels; this game is much longer than other Gradius titles, which usually have around eight levels. However, stages 10–13 are just boss fights. The levels are the same in both.| Stage | Description | Boss(es) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Giant Statue Planet | Giant rotating guns and living statues block the player's progress. | Riot Warship |
| 2. Jungle Planet | Mysterious plants sense the players and release mechanical spores. | Misfit Warship / PLANT Core (X68000) |
| 3. Ancient Planet | A winding maze filled with deadly traps awaits the players. | Misfit Warship |
| 4. Floating Continent | A stage set on a floating mass of land with enemy guided lasers. In the X68000 version this is changed to an ice planet. | Big Core X10? |
| Mayhem Warship | ||
| 5. Solar Area | A stage set on a planet that spews massive hot flames at the players. | Mayhem Warship / LASER Core (X68000) |
| 6. Living Planet | A massive living planet regenerating at high speed and constantly changing. The boss to this stage has no "Core" section. | Biological Organism |
| 7. Fortress Planet | A heavily armored planet, plated with special metal. There are several mini-bosses to be faced before reaching the end of this stage. The boss to this stage has no "Core" section. | Abadon Warship |
| 8. - 13. | These stages are the same as the above stages in reverse order. The X68000 port changes stages 10 and 11. | Same as stages one through six |
| 10. Asteroid Field. | An deadly asteroid field filled with high speed obstacles and gun turrets. Only appears in the X68000 version. The music used is the same as the cutscenes. The boss to this stage has no "Core" section. |
Big Core Mk.2 |
| 11. M Class Planet | A green planet filled with deadly waterfalls and bares a resemblance to the first level from the original Gradius. Only appears in the X68000 version. The music used is the same as the bonus levels. The boss to this stage has no "Core" section. |
Bubble Core |
| 14. Venom's warship | The warship of Dr. Venom. It uses the same tileset as the "cores" of the regular bosses. The boss to this stage has no "Core" section. | Dr. Venom |
Nemesis '90 Kai
This Sharp X68000Sharp X68000
The Sharp X68000, often referred to as the X68k, is a home computer released only in Japan by the Sharp Corporation. The first model was released in 1987, with a 10 MHz Motorola 68000 CPU, 1 MB of RAM and no hard drive; the last model was released in 1993 with a 25 MHz Motorola 68030...
port is essentially an enhanced remake
Enhanced remake
A video game remake is a game closely adapted from an earlier title, usually for the purpose of modernizing a game for newer hardware and contemporary audiences. Typically, a remake shares essentially the same title, fundamental gameplay concepts, and story elements of the original game...
of Gradius 2 with graphical quality on par with Gradius III
Gradius III
Gradius III, known in Japan as , is a side-scrolling shooting game originally released for the arcades in Japan and Asia in . It is the second sequel to the original Gradius for the arcades following Gradius II, and was followed by Gradius IV. Gradius III was rereleased for the Super Nintendo...
.
It includes two new stages exclusive to this version of the game, and 4 new bosses (two of which replace the rematches fought in the MSX version.)