Gradius: The Interstellar Assault

This page contains no introduction. What makes this game notable or what is it about? Are you a bad enough dude to save this article?

To do: Grab screenshots comparing differences between the Japanese and USA/European release (e.g. the score display), as well as the Konami GB Collection rereleases.

Unused Demo Screen#

Enter one of the below Game Genie codes (depending on region) to access an unused demo screen (likely used in a prototype build of the game) after the Konami logo:

Note that the title screen may need to be accessed first in order to load the game's font.

Version Differences#

The Konami GB Collection version has Super Game Boy support in Japan, and Game Boy Color support in Europe. Both releases change Nemesis to Gradius in the game's name. The European subtitle is retained for the European rerelease.

Regional Differences#

Title Screen#

Japan, Game Boy	USA, Game Boy	Europe, Game Boy	Konami GB Collection Vol. 3 (JP, Super Game Boy)	Konami GB Collection Vol. 4 (EU, Game Boy Color)

The USA release is the only initial release to feature the Gradius branding, while the European title keeps the Japanese title but adds the subtitle "The Return of the Hero".

Score Display#

Japan	US/Europe	GBC

Much like the first game, the original Japanese version only displays the player score on the Player Out/Ship Lost or Game Over screens, while the international releases condense and move the options bar to the left to make room for the score during gameplay.

However, the Konami GB Collection rereleases (Vol. 3 for Japan and Vol. 4 for Europe) are based on the Japanese versions of the included games, so unfortunately this change is reverted there as with the previous game.

Player Out/Ship Lost#

Japan	US/Europe	GBC

The screen that shows after a player loses a ship has been changed from "PLAYER OUT" to "SHIP LOST" in the international versions, just like with the previous game. HISCORE was also changed to TOP SCORE, and the zeroes had their slashes removed. All of these changes were also reverted for the Konami GB Collection rerelease.