Gradius III - Super Nintendo (Good, Loose)

Game Description

The legendary Vic Viper soars onto the Super Nintendo in Gradius III, a classic shoot-’em-up developed and published by Konami. Released in 1991, this fast-paced space shooter challenged players with waves of alien foes, screen-filling bosses, and branching upgrade systems that let you customize your ship’s arsenal. As the direct sequel to the arcade hit, it brought the adrenaline-pumping Gradius series into the 16-bit generation with greater depth and intensity.

In Gradius III, players must navigate treacherous stages filled with environmental hazards like shifting sand, fiery volcanoes, and deadly crystal formations. Each stage demands precision reflexes as enemies swarm from all sides, while massive bosses test both patience and skill. The game’s distinctive “power meter” upgrade system returns, letting players strategically choose when to unlock missiles, lasers, shields, and the iconic Options that replicate your ship’s firepower.

More than just a shooter, Gradius III is a test of endurance and mastery. Its difficulty earned it a reputation as one of the most challenging SNES titles, but also one of the most rewarding. For collectors and retro enthusiasts, owning a physical cartridge of Gradius III represents a key piece of the Super Nintendo’s early library and a defining example of Konami’s golden era of arcade-style game design.

Gameplay Features

• Pilot the legendary Vic Viper through alien-infested space
• Customize your arsenal with the unique Gradius “power meter” system
• Diverse levels filled with hazards like sandstorms, volcano eruptions, and crystalline mazes
• Massive screen-filling bosses that require strategy and precision to defeat
• Multiple difficulty modes, including an unforgiving challenge for veteran players
• One of the most iconic side-scrolling shooters in the Super Nintendo’s early lineup

Historical Trivia or Fun Fact

Gradius III was one of the SNES’s early technical showcases, using the system’s hardware to deliver massive bosses and elaborate stage effects. However, the game was also notorious for its slowdowns during intense action—a quirk that has since become a point of nostalgia among fans who experienced it firsthand. Despite these limitations, its gripping design and punishing difficulty cemented its reputation as a true classic.

The Gradius series itself is one of Konami’s most influential franchises, inspiring countless shoot-’em-ups and spin-offs, including the popular Parodius parody series. For collectors, Gradius III holds special significance as both a launch-window SNES title and as part of a franchise that shaped the entire shoot-’em-up genre.