Conference rusure::nintendo

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Note 529.1                   Gradius - Nintendo Game                     1 of 23
59602::HISATSUNE "Shinji Hisatsune/Osaka/SWS"         2 lines  18-MAR-1987 22:41
                               -< shoot faster >-
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I can see the last messages twice!!

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Note 529.2                   Gradius - Nintendo Game                     2 of 23
BCSE::SCOPA "The Major"                               9 lines  24-MAR-1987 09:00
                       -< Doesn't Anybody Play Gradius? >-
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    Not too much happening with this topic.
    
    However, those of you who have Gradius and would like some hints
    on certain things to try and look out for can contact me via mail.
    
    This will protect those of you who wish to discover "surprises"
    on your own.
    
    Mike

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Note 529.3                   Gradius - Nintendo Game                     3 of 23
BEING::POSTPISCHIL "Always mount a scratch monkey."   7 lines  24-MAR-1987 12:48
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    I noticed that as you speed up, the doppelgangers spread out more.
    Since they can go through obstacles without harm, this can be useful in
    shooting hard-to-reach spots.  I have seen no signs of a warp or other
    hidden features.
    
    
    				-- edp

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Note 529.4                   Gradius - Nintendo Game                     4 of 23
BCSE::SCOPA "The Major"                              23 lines  25-MAR-1987 10:28
                            -< A Lesson In Gradius >-
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    Three times the following has happened to me:
    
    After getting past the volcanoes and that large ship I am "whisked"
    away into another sector in which "Easter Island Ghost Statues"
    come at me and I have to avoid being hit by them. This has only
    happened a couple of times and I do not recall what I had done to
    get to that point.
    
    Also,
    
    As you approach the volcanoes you pass a suspended rock. If you
    back into the right side point of that rock you will receive an
    extra life but be careful as I have only done this once.
    
    I'm curious as to whether anyone has gotten as far as my 7 year
    old son. He has gotten past the first three stages and has gotten
    as far as the asteroids with the solid Easter Island Statues (I
    believe that is called The Moal Stage).
    
    Neither one of us has been able to get anything higher than a 90K
    for a score....I think 100K is a magic number that may result in
    something but have yet to reach that point.
                                                      Mike

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Note 529.5                   Gradius - Nintendo Game                     5 of 23
BEING::POSTPISCHIL "Always mount a scratch monkey."   7 lines  25-MAR-1987 16:50
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    Re .4:
    
    100,000 is not special.  I have gotten very far into the statues round,
    but I get killed before finishing it.
    
    
    				-- edp 

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Note 529.6                   Gradius - Nintendo Game                     6 of 23
59602::HISATSUNE "Shinji Hisatsune/Osaka/SWS"         4 lines  28-MAR-1987 02:30
                                -< Full Armed >-
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 If you want to see the last messages of Gradius, you must pick up every 1UP,
and destroy a Boss in the last of every stage, when its eye's color is blue.
If you destroy a Boss whoes eye's color is blue, your next jet can be equipped
FULL ARMERD with some operation. Find it, and try it.

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Note 529.7                   Gradius - Nintendo Game                     7 of 23
BCSE::SCOPA "The Major"                               3 lines   1-APR-1987 12:56
                            -< Hooked On Gradius! >-
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    I have found a 1UP in both stages....but I have not figured out
    how to go into warp drive....I've done it tree times but cannot
    remember what conditions were met.

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Note 529.8                   Gradius - Nintendo Game                     8 of 23
BCSE::SCOPA "The Major"                               7 lines   3-APR-1987 10:12
                          -< Moal Stage - A toughie >-
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    Has anybody gotten through the Moal Stage (Easter Island) yet? I've
    gone about 1/2 to 2/3 through it but get destroyed by then.
    
    I am thinking that in order to survive that stage you must have
    MISSILE, DOUBLE, OPTION (2), and ?(SHIELDS) otherwise forget it.
    
    Mike

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Note 529.9                   Gradius - Nintendo Game                     9 of 23
BEING::POSTPISCHIL "Always mount a scratch monkey."  20 lines   3-APR-1987 12:58
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    Re .8:
    
    I have gotten through it a couple of times by then get myself killed
    with some stupid mistake in the end game of the section.  I also saw
    the warp you mentioned.  I have not reproduced it yet, but I am pretty
    sure I collected every one of those option-increasing packages in the
    first section and selected:  doppelganger option, double missiles,
    air-to-ground missiles, speed-up, force field, doppelganger option, and
    speed-up, in that order.  I selected all the same options, but in a
    different order, and did not warp, so I will try to repeat the order.
    
    I think lasers are more effective than double missiles in the Moal
    section.  I have been able to get part of the way through without any
    options other than what I managed to pick up.  After being killed (with
    all my options) most of the way through, I did manage to finish it once
    starting from scratch in the middle, only to get killed after getting
    past all the statues.  Dodging and timing is important. 
    
    
    				-- edp 

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Note 529.10                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    10 of 23
BCSE::SCOPA "The Major"                              18 lines   4-APR-1987 15:23
                              -< ALmost Had It! >-
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    I somehow got into warp drive today and luckily I was taping the
    game and this is what I found out:
    
    1) In order I got LAZERS, AIR-TO-SURFACE MISSILES, FORCE FIELD,
       DOPPLEGANGER.
    
    2) The DOUBLE selection was lit up when I got to the volcanoes.
    
    3) I got through the volcanoes and destroyed the middle of that
       ship.
    
    I have not been able to duplicate those conditions yet so I cannot
    verify their accuracy. I have come close.
    
    Also, I almost made it through the moal stage...you have to be "loaded"
    and quick to do so.
    
    Mike

    
    Mike
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Note 529.11                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    11 of 23
CADSE::FUSARO "You can't teach a dead dog new trick" 18 lines  13-APR-1987 00:10
                            -< Still haven't "won" >-
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    I have played Gradius about 700,000 times.   I have gotten all the
    way through to the last round on my first ship, and then died 7
    times.  The "magic warp" is also something I just haven't figured
    out.  The "Easter Island" level can be easily defeated using just
    speed up and missles, although sheilds come in handy.  Just stay
    to the top all the time and shot their mouths often, they will die!
    
    100K score is nothing special, we have gotten 360K, nothing except
    a free ship every 100.  
    
    If anyone has specific questions on how to do anything (except win)
    I'd be happy to answer what I can.
    
      Bill Fusaro
    
    

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Note 529.12                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    12 of 23
BCSE::SCOPA "The Major"                               8 lines  13-APR-1987 17:02
                             -< The Warp Mystery >-
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    Bill,
    
    Have you ever gone through the "warp"? I have done it 6 or 7 times
    and I usually tape the games so I can go back and study them yet
    I too cannot figure it out. I think it would come in handy during
    certain parts of the game.
    
    Mike

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Note 529.13                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    13 of 23
CADSE::FUSARO "You can't teach a dead dog new trick" 17 lines  13-APR-1987 19:30
                        -< Warp still not understood!! >-
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    Yes I have often hit the old warp,  I beleive that I hit it at the
    end of the first round-takes me right to Easter Island.  At the
    end of of the second round-takes me to the "upside down world".
     And at the end of the Easter Island round-which takes me all the
    way to the "blue round".  I have tried EVERYTHING to get this to
    happen on a regular basis.  I can not.  All I know is that it happens
    one out of every 30 or so games.  I have been warped with all possible
    weapons, and with only lasers and missles.  I have only been warped
    after killing the guy at the end-(as opposed to him self
    distructing)- this may have something to do with it ? ? ? ? 
    
    let me know if you find out anything!!
    
    Bill Fusaro
    

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Note 529.14                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    14 of 23
BCSE::SCOPA "The Major"                               3 lines  20-APR-1987 10:37
                         -< Making the Gradius Grade! >-
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    Anybody making any progress with this game? I'm not!
    
    Mike

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Note 529.15                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    15 of 23
WHOARU::FUSARO "You can't teach a dead dog new tric" 13 lines  20-APR-1987 11:36
                               -< Some progress >-
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    I'm making major progress, however I just can't get through the
    VERY last roun of the game without taking several hits and thus
    dieing.  One secret we use is, because most of the rounds are several
    times eaiser with a FULL set of weapons, 2 dopps, shields, missles,
    one speed up, and lasers and another shields lit up , to use when
    the ones ones wear out, if you die it is VERY difficult to get these
    weapons back.  So start the game over!  I beleive that the game
    can, and really must be won on the first guy.  If that doesn't help
    I can give you more helpful clues if you send personal mail.
    
    Bill Fusaro
    

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Note 529.16                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    16 of 23
BCSE::SCOPA "The Major"                               9 lines  11-MAY-1987 10:42
                          -< Gradius Investigator #1 >-
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    Yesterday I taped Gradius and got a warp drive. I will study the
    tape and if I figure out the warp drive and how to get it I'll let
    everybody know.
    
    BUT I NEED YOUR HELP!!!
    
    What should I look for when I study the tape????
    
    Mike

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Note 529.17                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    17 of 23
BCSE::SCOPA "The Major"                               5 lines   3-JUN-1987 14:00
                               -< Slow but Sure >-
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    Over the last week or so I've gotten into the "upside down" phase.
    Still can't figure out warp drive...thinking about writing to the
    company about it.
    
    Maj

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Note 529.18                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    18 of 23
OFFRT9::BDIMBAT "Echos in the Night"                 22 lines  15-JUN-1987 14:15
                             -< Warped for sure! >-
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I warped.  The details are sketchy.  What did not occur may be as important
as what did.

I did NOT destroy the ship before warping, think the vertical bar targets
(3?) were gone but I had not made a hit on the central core yet.

My score was under 50,000 but greater then 49,000. Might have been 49,550.

Almost certain that I had missed at least one "blue eye" at the very
beginning of the run, that is to say, I did not wipe out the first string of
targets.

I don't remember much more in certainty.  If pressed I would say that I
think I had at least option, fairly sure it wasn't doubled, missles, maybe
laser and NO speedup.  Don't think I had the force field.  There is a chance
I did not get the 5000 pt.  bonus but fairly sure I went through the
"tunnel".  I did not destroy the top fortress.  I had picked up the 1UP at
the suspended rock (came up from the bottom rather than went over the top),
got the gold gun at the top above the suspended rock (and "blue eye"), and
sat at the volcano peaks picking off the fireballs.

More and more I think the key might be as simple as the score.

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Note 529.19                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    19 of 23
3917::SCOPA "The Major"                              29 lines  18-JUN-1987 13:11
                                 -< More 1UPS >-
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    I have gone over my tape of the game in which I warped and still
    can't figure it out...I will watch it and try to jot down everything
    that happens and enter a note with all the data. Maybe you guys
    can figure it out.
    
    By the way, I have found 2 more 1UPS in the game. The first one
    can be found just to the left of one of the "Easter Island" faces.
    I think it was one of, if not the very last, face in the upper
    right-hand corner of that stage. The face is looking to the left
    and the 1UP is achieved after you destroy the face.
    
    The other 1UP is in the Upside Down world. There is another "diamond
    suspended" rock and the 1UP is on the left tip.
    
    Keep in mind that I came across these by accident and there may
    be others around.
    
    I have been constantly getting higher and higher scores and my high
    right now is just under 200,000. 
    
    I think that finding out how to get warp drive is important to
    completing the game...first off it gives you an extra 50K points
    and that could get you over the 100K, 200K, 300K,.... mark and also
    you can save some lives. 
    
    It will surely be a breakthru when someone figures it out.
    
    Mike
    tand 

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Note 529.20                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    20 of 23
BCSE::SCOPA "The Major"                                1 line  28-JUL-1987 14:15
                           -< Is it Too Difficult? >-
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    Anybody making progress with this game?

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Note 529.21                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    21 of 23
JOEL::BERMAN                                          5 lines  17-AUG-1987 10:35
                                   -< Warp >-
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    I think I figured out the warp drive. Spoiler follows
    
    If you kill the big ship on the second bounce you will warp (I think).
    /joel
    

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Note 529.22                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    22 of 23
NEXUS::LECOMPTE "HEAVEN; Don't miss it for the WORLD" 9 lines  25-AUG-1987 11:35
                            -< How'd you do that. >-
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    	OK!!!  I give up.
    
    
    How do you do all those fancy scrolling things with spoilers.
    
    (ie: making it look like it scrolls from under whats already there
     and only printing a couple of lines on the screen)

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Note 529.23                  Gradius - Nintendo Game                    23 of 23
REGAL::DIAMOND "This mall needs more stores"          6 lines  25-AUG-1987 16:55
                                -< It's easy! >-
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I'll give you a hint


Try using formfeeds!  (^L)

Dave

    It was pointed out in one of the earlier notes that in order to
    continue playing Gradius from where you last get killed you have
    to do the following
    
    Push:
    		Down, Up, B,A, B,A, B,A, B,A, "START"
    
    I have tried this but with no luck.   Can anyone out there help
    me out on this????
    
    thanks,
    	    Mark

    
      Ok, Has enyone found out how to warp yet? If so PLEASE let me
    know how to do it. I have played this game aleast 1,000 times and
    only warped a few times. Can'nt figure it out.. Any information
    or tricks 
     that would help with this game please send to me.
                   
                                        thank you
                                            pat

    About continue play:  I spoke to one of the game counselors who said
    the sequence (see .24) is not a misprint, but it only works about one
    time in 25.
    
    
    				-- edp 

         Help!  Haven't had this game too long though long enough to
    get frustrated!  What do you need to get past the volcanoes?  Is
    the force field required?  Once I reach that point I get nailed.
    The stupid thing won't go anywhere!
    
         Also, to get each of the weapons what is required?  Do you
    have to collect the "red things" to reach an option and then hit
    "B" to use that option and repeat again and again until you have
    use of each?  Wish those books that come with the games would provide
    a little more info!!
    
         Any help would be appreciated.
    
    Bob

    Re .27:
    
    It's not absolutely necessary to have the force field to get past the
    volcanoes, but it is a great help.
    
    To get the bonus options, you collect the red things.  The first time
    you get one, the first option (extra speed) at the bottom of the screen
    will be highlighted.  When you get another, the first becomes dark
    again and the second becomes lighter.  The continues each time you
    collect a red thing.  When an option you want is highlighted, press the
    button (B?).  You will get that option and the highlights will start at
    the beginning again next time you collect a red thing.
    
    Don't let the highlights go all the way to the right and around to the
    left again with picking something; that's a waste.  Most options cannot
    be picked more than once, so you will not be able to select them when
    it is their turn to be highlighted if you already have them.
    
    For the first round, I pick up doppelganger (the ghost ship that fires
    extra missiles), downward missiles, upward missiles, another
    doppelganger, and the force-field.  When I get to the volcanoes, I
    maneuver into the upper-left corner.  The doppelgangers follow you;
    they move into a spot you were at shortly after you move into it and
    keep moving.  If you are in the upper-left and keep pushing up or left,
    they will follow you into the exact same spot.  Instead of letting that
    happen, I jiggle the ship around a bit to get the real ship and the
    ghosts into slightly different spots, so the missiles provide more
    covering fire.  Then just shoot and keeping shooting until the
    volcanoes stop.                   
    
    
    				-- edp

    Re: -1
    
         Thanks for the info....I'll give it a try.  What am I suppose
    to shoot?  The volcanoes?  
    
    Bob

    Re .29:
    
    Don't aim; just stay in the corner and shoot repeatedly.  Mostly, the
    downward missiles will protect you from flying lava.  The forward shots
    help a little also.  You don't have to destroy anything, just survive
    through the eruption.
    
    
    				-- edp 

    Re:  .29
    
         Thanks....got through the volcanoes over the weekend.  Of course
    I got nailed by the ship after I got through and never made it through
    again!  
    
    
    Bob

    Also, if you don't have anything (options), you can survive by moving
    your ship directly above the left-most volcano, as high is it will
    go (toward the top of the screen).  This is a 'hole' in the coverage
    so you usually won't get hit.  Keep firing while you're there,
    though...
    
    Dave
    

    It's been a while since the last note...Has everybody given up or
    what!?!  I have played the game for a week or so now and have yet
    to encounter a Warp Zone.  I have made it to Easter Island but not
    past it yet.  Would like to hear how some of the Veterans of the
    game are doing.  Maybe this one is unbeatable?
    
    
    Craig

	We come  back  to  it  every once in a while; it's still my favorite
	"shoot-em  up"  game.  The Advantage controller is a real plus.  We
	get  to  Easter  Island on a regular basis with 4 or 5 lives and the
	slow-motion  helps get thru a later stage (think the next one - with
	"arms").   We've  gotten  thru  the  upside-down section a number of
	times and my daughter has been to the final stage once.

	A number of warps have been experienced; have even seen one later
	in the game (score over 200k) but forget which screen we skipped.
	The only common thing that we've noticed is that on most warps the
	sum-of-the-digits for the score = 14.  However, there were many
	times that we did NOT warp when the SOTDs was 14.

	Bill

re .33

I have been playing Gradius for about 6 months. So far, my best score is 175,000
and I have made it past Easter Island to the upside-down (I call it Upsidasium)
world. One time I made it that far on the first ship, with all missles, lasers
and shields active and new shields ready and waiting (? was orange). Alas, I
got too excited and crashed into the lower terrain dodging enemies ( I had about
4 SPEED-UPS active). I'm not ready to give up, but I am ready for some hints or
advice. It takes so long to get to Upsidasium that I am getting tired of being
killed off when I get there. Someone mentioned extra lives. After 100,000 I have
4 lives. Is there an extra one to be had in the early going? The warping seems
pretty random but is a welcome relief.

re. 34

What is the "Advantage Controller" and where can I purchase one in the Marlboro
area?

>slow-motion  helps get thru a later stage

How do you get the slow-motion option.
How is the slow-motion invoked? Do you mean moving to the left on the screen?

Any other tips would be appreciated as I am about ready to give up. If you
want, please send tips to SUBSYS::ORIN. I can't seem to get past the very
start of Upsidasium. What is the best combination of weapons to have? Do
you make it on your first ship? The shields seem to be crucial to surviving.
Are there any tricks to help get thru Easter Island?

dave

Well, thanks to some helpful hints, I finally broke the 200k mark last night.
The 1up right of the suspended rock and the
up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-B-A button sequence proved very helpful.
The button sequence only seems to work once for each stage. The directions to
my game don't mention anything about these special sequences. I purchased
Gradius when it first came out, so maybe they revised the instructions since
then. I suspect that there are other button sequences to enter all sorts of
special "guru" modes that only the developers know about. Didn't someone
mention another sequence for restarting from where your last ship was
destroyed?

dave

    Mike,
    
    I have gotten to the Moal stage, but I cannot get beyond that point.
     I have cheated a little, I have a NINTENDO Advantage controller
    that has a slow button on it that puts everything in slow motion.
    
    Dave

    For those of you who are wondering, once you begin a stage do the
    following:
    
    
     Hit pause and then do UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT B A.
    
    This will give you down missiles, both dopplegangers, and the force
    field.
    
    I had been averaging 172K points and got halfway through the upside
    down world before using this secret code. Now I average 232K and
    have started to make headway through the Antennoid world.
    
    Tough Game.
    
    Mike

    Thanks for the tip Mike...I'll have to give this a try.
    
    Keep us posted on your progress!
    
    Craig

    Well things are improving for me. I have gotten to the ameboid(sp)
    stage and have even gotten to the end of that stage but can't figure
    out how to get past that stage....have gotten over 300K in points.
    
    The "slow down" section really gets you thinking and avoiding getting
    hit more than any other stage.
    
    I really would like to begin where I left off instead of starting over.
    
    Mike

    I really can't say if I'm making any more progress. I constantly
    make it to stage 6 and last week I warped twice in a span of 12
    games...but I still don't know why. I'm now averaging over 300K
    and have had as many as 8 lives but can't get through stage 6.
    
    One more hint about that code....enter it slowly...in some cases
    you can use it more than once in a stage...like warping it too is
    unpredictable.
    
    Mike

    
    I've been playing for a few weeks now.  I've gotten by the "Moal"
    stage (Easter Island?) a few times. The hint in a previous note
    about taking the high route through this stage is true. I also
    have an advantage controller which helps a lot.  After that stage,
    I've warped to a stage that consists of spider/cobwebs, the stage
    I hit after that had huge balls with tentacles, finally I came
    to the stage everyone seems to refer to as the "upsidedown" stage.
    Where are you folks finding the names for these stages??
    
    I've warped several times, but don't know why.....
    
    I much prefer lasers over double cannons......
    
    I haven't found any 1-ups other than the ones mentioned in other
    notes.....
    
    My high score so far is 485,000.  
    
    
                    - Frank

    Does anyone know of an "EASY" way to get through the stage where
    there are lots of heads spitting bubbles out?

    Best advice I can give you is this...
    
    You're in best shape if you have just SPEED and FORCE FIELDS. More than
    any other stage this one requires pinpoint accuracy in moving around.
    Aim for the elbows and avoid the "bubbles". 
    
    This is the slowdown stage and you have to remember that you have to 
    constantly fire away to wipe out an arm or elbow to make for less 
    obstacles to maneuver around.
    
    Mikez

Using the "slow motion" feature of my Advantage controller, 
I finally got to the end of Gradius.  Ok Ok...I know using 
slow motion is cheating a *little*, but after 10 million 
games, I had to see the end.  

If you don't want to know what it was like, skip the rest
of this note....




Curious eh??

Well, after getting through that horrible last level, I came
to an opening with rapidly closing doors (closing from top & 
bottom).  I didn't make it the first time (frozen by caution), 
and I was doomed.  The second time, I chose 2-3 speed boosts 
before getting to the doors, and made it easily.  Once inside, 
the brain, suspended by electric bolts/lightning?.  I shot at 
the brain itself for awhile.  Nothing shot back at me at all,
I was totally unmolested by the brain.  After a bit the scene
changed to my ship flying away from the planet, which then 
exploded.

I guess I must have missed a few targets along the way, for I
didn't get any great message at the end.  All I got was a
'Congratulations', nothing else.  Then the game re-started at
the first level, retaining my score (600,000+).  The second time
through, everything moves faster, and shoots more often.  Even
the Boss ships fire laser cannons as well as missles.  I crossed
the 1 million mark in score, and died in the last level before
reaching the brain again.

I'm a bit confused as to why the brain doesn't shoot back in any
way.  Next time, I think I'll try not firing at all or firing at
the electric bolts to see what happens.  I post anything I find...

     				Frank

    Frank,
    
    Maybe the brain was gona fire but in "slo-mo" he never got a chance to.
    
    Mike

RE: .46 


     You could be right about that one, Mike.  I've tried slow motion 
     with other games & it never seemed actually stop anything from 
     happenning, so that didn't occur to me.  Next time I have a chance,
     I'll try it.  I MUST be doing something wrong, the end of Gradius
     CAN't be that simple.....!

     			Frank

re: .46 & .47 

     Mike...

     I made it to the end again, this time without the slow-motion 
     feature turned on (after LOTS of tires!).  The same thing happened 
     (only faster), the      brain didn't shoot back.  I tried shooting 
     at the 'electrodes' on the top & bottom of the screen for awhile, 
     didn't seem to make any difference.  I wonder if it is a matter of 
     time?  I mean , maybe the brain does something if you don't kill it 
     soon enough.  Maybe I should try just sitting it out & see
     what happens....

     I also didn't get anything more than the 'congratulations' 
     message at the end.  I'm sure I killed all of the boss ships
     when they were blue.  Must be something I'm missing here.

     			Frank

    We too were a little disappointed after reaching the end.  It was
    a family affair when the first person reached the end.  After millions 
    of tries, we expected more. 

    We also 'cheated' by using the advantage controller in slow-mo.
    But I don't feel guilty!!.
    
    Has anyone tried just parking to see what happens??

     RE: 29.49 No, I haven't tried parking, but I'll give it a 
               go next time....

     According to note 29.6, you need to kill all of the Boss ships 
     (XAEROUS big core fighters) AND pick up ALL of the 1-ups to 
     see the 'last message of Gradius'.  If that's true , my problem 
     (see .45 & .47) is obvious....I really haven't found all of the
     1-UP's.  I know where they are in both the Stonehenge & Moal 
     stages, but haven't found others (I doubt there is a 1-Up in
     the Antennoid stage).  Help!!!  Anyone know of any other 1-UP's?
     
     Maybe I can finally find the last message before I get 
     "warp-rattled"!

     				Frank     

    I'd like to know how many 1-Ups there are to get. At least that will
    give us a start.
    
    Mike

    I was just wondering if anyone else is still playing this great
    game. I bought it for my 6 yr old for Christmas and neither one
    of us can leave it alone.  We are able now, after many tries, to
    get to the end of the 2nd stage before losing it. High score was
    my son at 93,000. We have only found 1 1up behind the hanging rock
    in the volcano stage. Are there any 1ups in the 2nd stage? I can't
    picture it getting any harder but we are confident that
    
    PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
    
    A Gradius lover

    Gee, I'm still playing Gradius too - it has a great "feel" to it - 
    challenging but you can get somewhere with it if you try. I'm not
    very good at it, but am making it to the "Easter Island" stage. Haven't
    warped yet, though.
    
    FWIW, Lifeforce is much the same. 
    
    Oh, an Advantage controller or any other that can give you slow-motion
    will help you learn the tricks.
    
    have fun!
    
    

    I have not used an advantage controller and sweat alot to get to
    the easter island phase. My high is now up to 153000 thanks to the
    use of the  UUDDLRLRBA trick. I have only found the 1 1up in the
    first phase and have not lased long enough in easter island to look
    for anything there.
    
    I also have not yet warped. Seems strange based upon earlier
    discussion. I have killed everything and anything in phase I and
    have distroyed the Boss ship yet still no warp. Anyone know the
    secret? 

    We're still playing too!  My husband got the game for Christmas.
    Boy is this game challenging!!  We did find the one up and we also
    started with all of the options.  We just got a "cheat" book and
    it does have gradius in it.  I will read it and post my findings.
    
    Happy Playing!1
    
    Mel

    
    
    Hi.  Just got NES, and oh, man, are we *HOOKED*.  Have had Gradius for
    only 2 1/2 weeks.  This game is a...well, it's TOUGH!
    
    Does anyone out there still play it?  It's been two years since anyone
    wrote here...did anyone find the secret to warping?  How many 1UP's ARE
    there?  How many worlds?  
    
    To date, I have only gotten past the first world, volcanos, mother
    ship, blue dots, and into the next world.  My roommate has passed that
    and is consistently dying in the Easter Island head stage.
    
    Any clues?  Hints?  Help?  
    
    
    Anyone?
    
    
    Anita
    

    I can't offer any help but I am playing this game also. I have only
    made it past the volcano twice and am killed quickly by the big
    ship. Maybe you could give me some clues ?? It is a lot of fun but
    very frustrating.
    
    Jim C.

    Hi Jim C!
    
    Glad to hear from you...I was about to give up!  And I feel great about
    this, because I actually *CAN* help you out.  I've advanced past the
    second world, and get to the Easter Island head stage.  I die there. 
    My roommate has gotten past that to the Upside Down world.
    
    To pass the volcanos...do you want a spoiler? 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    To get past the volcanos...
    
    GET MISSILES!  You can get past it with regular guns, but lasers are of
    course helpful.  Just stay in the absolute upper left hand corner, and
    keep shooting!  You can also do it from directly above the first
    volcano, but again, you must keep shooting as quickly as your thumb can
    move.
    If you have both options, shield, and lasers, you can do this...from
    the upper left hand corner, drop down until your ship is shooting just
    over the top of the left volcano.  Your options should be spread above
    you.  Just shoot!  That is,
    
    
   (options)    
        *
        *
     (ship)
    -----\
    -----/
                / \
               /   \
              /     \
    	           
              volcano 1
    
    This method seems to take longer to survive, but you rarely get hit,
    and you can rack up a ton of points.
    
    Another spoiler?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    To get past the "Mother Ship"...
    
    
    Watch it carefully...it rocks in a pattern, very rhythmic.  There is a
    spot between firings that it does not hit.  Find that spot, and you can
    stay completely still while it rocks in front of you taking direct
    hits! Took weeks to find this trick, but it's the easiest thing to get
    past now.  This can be done with or without any "extra" weapons.  It
    will also work on later mother ships.  One warning...adjust your
    position carefully...if you have a shield, you may not realize you're
    getting hit until it turns red and then is gone.  Gently!
    
    And finally, the UDUDLRLRBA trick is invaluable.
    
    Good luck, let me know how it goes.
    
    Gradius Space Cadet,
    
    Anita
    

    What the heck is the UDUDLRLRBA trick ?
    
    Jim C.
    
    Thanks for the other tips, I have been playing Baseball Stars  a lot
    lately but will try tonight to get past the mother ship.

    Jim-
    
    	Hi. I obviously don't read here every week...
    
    re: udud, etc. Sorry! I assumed you'd read the earlier entries. You're 
    going to love this little trick!
    	
    When you get killed, hit "pause" (START button).  Then hit the
    following pattern:  UP DOWN UP DOWN RIGHT LEFT RIGHT LEFT B A
    
    Presto! A shield should appear.  When you resume play, you will find
    you have acquired a shield, double options, missiles, and at least one
    speed.   This is good approx. 1x per world.  My roomate can get it 2 or
    3 times in a row...never works that well for me.
    
    
    You may have to try the trick more than once...sometimes faster,
    sometimes slower.  Believe me, this will enable you to get *MUCH*
    further faster.
    
    Good luck!
    
    btw, my roommate has passed the Easter Island head stage, to some other
    wild worlds.  Can't wait to get to the end of this game!
    
    Anita
    
    
    	

    OOPS!!  That should be "Left Right Left Right"...good luck!
    
    Anita
    

    The tip about the volcanos and the large space ships was very
    helpful !!! Now I am having fun getting through what I call
    "The Bubble Zone". I have just about mastered it but keep goofing
    near the end of the section. Thanks for the help !!! Have you
    played The Guardian Legend yet ? It is a really fast paced
    shoot-em-up type game with some searching involved.
    
    Jim C.