About this game
Gradius (1986) arrived on the Famicom as a port of Konami's 1985 arcade hit — and brought with it something no other Famicom game had yet offered: a power-up selection bar that let players choose how to develop their ship. Speed, missiles, double cannon, laser, Options (orbiting attack drones) — each run through Gradius is a strategic choice about which capabilities to prioritise. It is also the game that accidentally contained one of the most famous secrets in gaming history: a programmer's debug shortcut, left in the shipped code. Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A. A cheat code that should have been removed became a cultural landmark.
Key Features
Horizontal scrolling shooter with the Vic Viper spaceship navigating through enemy territory. Power-up capsule collection system: collect capsules to advance a selection bar, then choose from Speed, Missile, Double, Laser, Option, or Shield. The Option drones — spheres that mirror the player's position and fire simultaneously — are a defining mechanic of the series. Multiple distinct stage themes: volcanic planet, artificial fortress, volcanic cavern, moai heads, and more. Boss encounters at stage ends. The famous Konami Code cheat: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A — grants full power-ups and was originally a debug tool.
Gallery
The Story Behind
The original Gradius was released in Japanese arcades in 1985 by Konami. The Famicom port followed on April 25, 1986 — among the earliest Konami games on the platform. The NES version launched in North America on December 26, 1986, making it one of the first NES games Konami released in the region. Kazuhisa Hashimoto, who was developing the home port, found the game too difficult to test repeatedly and created an input sequence to give himself full power-ups. He forgot to remove it before shipping. Players discovered it, shared it, and it spread — becoming known as the Konami Code. It was later included in Contra (1987), where it gave players thirty extra lives, cementing it in gaming culture permanently.
Tricks & Tales
The Konami Code — Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A — was created by accident. Kazuhisa Hashimoto, the developer of the Famicom port, created it as a personal testing shortcut and forgot to remove it before shipping. It was later included in Contra (NES, 1987), where it granted thirty lives, and became globally recognised as the most famous cheat code in video game history. The "Option" drones — the orbiting attack ships that follow the player's trajectory — defined a template that later shoot-em-ups would imitate for decades. Gradius (1985) predates R-Type by two years; the Option is the original, not the imitator. The moai head stage (Easter Island stone heads) became one of the most iconic recurring stage designs in shooter history.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
The Japanese Famicom version and the North American NES version are functionally the same game, with title unchanged between regions (one of the few Konami NES games to keep its Japanese name). The NES version was Konami's first NES release in North America. Famicom cartridge requires 60-to-72-pin adapter for NES play.
Maintenance Tips
Standard Famicom cartridge edge connector cleaning: isopropyl alcohol (90%+) on a cotton swab, allow to dry fully before insertion. Gradius has no battery save — it is a single-session game, making live gameplay testing practical. Controller A and B buttons require reliable response for the Konami Code and rapid fire sections. NES CIB with original manual is collectible and commands a premium.
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
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