Nemesis II

Nemesis II
Nemesis II
Nemesis II
Official Japanese box art
Developer(s) Konami
Publisher(s) Konami
Distributor(s) Nintendo
Designer(s) Y. Daikai
Hiroyuki Fukui
Tamotsu Goto
Platform(s) Game Boy
Release date(s)
  • JP August 9, 1991
  • NA January 1992
Genre(s) Horizontal scrolling shooter
Mode(s) Single-player
Media/distribution 1-megabit cartridge

Nemesis II, released as Nemesis II: The Return of the Hero in Europe, and Gradius: The Interstellar Assault in North America, is the second Game Boy game in the Gradius series.

The game was later ported to the Konami GB Collection series of Super Game Boy and Game Boy Color compilations; it can be found in the Japanese Vol. 3 and the European Vol. 4. Like Nemesis before it, these versions were renamed Gradius II for the Japanese Vol. 3 and Gradius II: The Return of the Hero for the European Vol. 4.

Gameplay

Nemesis II retains the traditional horizontal scrolling gameplay from the Gradius series. Once again the player takes control of the Vic Viper and flies through five different stages destroying Bacterion's army. However, unlike most of the games in the series, the game lacks many recurring themes that have become a staple of the series. Some of the more popular elements missing from this game are: A moai stage or any moai enemies, classic Gradius stages, classic Gradius music, and the traditional giant entity that is unprotected and serves as a final boss. There are, however, a handful of classic elements that are present such as Core bosses and even a portion where the Vic Viper must maneuver around a countless array of tiny spaceships like those featured in the original Gradius.

Weapons

The game retains the traditional power-up bar from the original Gradius. As usual the player can speed-up multiple times, use missiles, shoot double firepower or lasers, use several options at a time and use the classic shield (although it is referred to as a forcefield). However, before each game is started or continued, the player is given a "Weapon Select" screen. Here the player can choose between one of three settings for the missiles, double firepower, and lasers:

  • Missiles Options - Normal, 2 Way, or Tail
  • Double Firepower Options - Normal, Twin Cannon, or Tail Gun
  • Laser Options - Normal, Twin, or Ripple

External links