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Gradius IV: Fukkatsu (グラディウスIV -復活- Guradiusu IV -Fukkatsu-?, lit. "Gradius IV: Revival") is the fourth arcade installment in the Gradius series of scrolling shooter video games produced by Konami. It was preceded by Gradius III, released in 1989, although other non-numbered spinoffs had been released such as Gradius Gaiden. This title brings a considerable graphical upgrade, particularly with the use of colored lighting. In addition, there have been several additions and removals to the vaulted weapons system; specifically, the edit mode has been removed and an online ranking system was added.

Story[]

A distant memory....

The doomsday planet Bacterian has long been forgotten and Planet Gradius is enjoying a time of restored peace and prosperity. However their worst nightmare is about to become reality... again.... Suddenly, out of nowhere, a massive attack force appears, overwhelming the Gradius Defense Forces.

Just when things are looking hopeless, a lone fighter screams across the sky. The battle for freedom is joined once more.....

Gameplay[]

Gradius IV Weaponry

The core gameplay of Gradius IV remains relatively unchanged. However, several changes were made on the weapons system in the transition from Gradius III. First of all, the edit mode has been completely eliminated, as are the "Snake Option" (s.option), the "Reduce" shield type, and the seventh powerup category. The seventh powerup category was the one that was labeled "!" and would produce detrimental results, such as reducing the speed or eliminating the weapons of the ship.

In this game there are a total of six configurations, the first four of which are migrated from Gradius II. There two new configurations are as follows:

Configuration 5: The missile mode is a vertical mine that is released above and below the ship. After a short delay, the mines explode, yielding a large explosion. The double mode is the standard 45-degree angle split. The laser mode is a thin armor piercing round that can penetrate multiple enemies.

Configuration 6: The missile mode is the flying torpedo, which produces two missiles that fly forward in front of the ship. The double mode is the tailgun, seen in other configurations. The laser is the twin laser seen in Gradius III.

Starting a tradition that is continued in Gradius V, this game introduced an online-ranking system. After a player's game was over, a password was presented. This password, which was hashed scoring information, could be uploaded to a Konami website. This ability was only available in Japan, and was discontinued in August 27 of 1998. This was similarly done for the Gradius III and IV console release. Score recording was disabled approximately a year after its arcade brethren.

Stages[]

Stage Name Boss Music
1 Liquid Metal Yorogaton Chimera Hydra
2 Plant Dendrodium Demeter
3 Bubble Bubble Core Oceanus
4 Magma Gillador Cronos
Hades
5 Moai Alpha/Omega Uranus
6 Cell Berial Hera
7 High Speed Rolling Core Dupon
8 Boss Rush Vanishing Core
Big Core MK III Kai
Covered Tetran
Berserk Core
Planet Core
Aircraft Carrier
Take Care!
9 Final Fortress Bloody Gate
Crab-II
Gofer
Prometheus
Athena

Enemies[]

Note: Names in italics are unofficial.

Ports[]

Gradius IV: Fukkatsu never received a direct port. It was included in the Gradius III and IV compilation for the PlayStation 2 in 2000 and as a part of Gradius Collection for the PlayStation Portable in 2006. Both ports include a boss rush mode (play all the game's bosses in a time attack fashion) and a stage select.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • Most of the Gradius IV music tracks got their names from Greek and Roman gods.


External links[]

Gradius IV: Fukkatsu
Ships Vic Viper
Stages Liquid MetalPlantBubbleMagmaMoaiCellHigh SpeedBoss RushFinal Fortress
Bosses Yorogaton ChimeraDendrodiumBubble CoreGilladorAlpha/OmegaBerialRolling CoreVanishing CoreBig Core MK IIICovered TetranBerserk CorePlanet CoreBloody GateCrab-IIGofer
Gradius video games
Gradius series GradiusGradius IIGradius IIIGradius GaidenGradius IV: FukkatsuGradius GalaxiesGradius VGradius ReBirthGradius: The Interstellar AssaultGradius NEOGradius NEO Imperial
Spin-offs Salamander (Life Force) (MSX ver.)• Salamander 2Nemesis 2 (Nemesis '90 Kai) • Nemesis 3Nemesis (Game Boy)Cosmic WarsSolar Assault
Parody games ParodiusParodius Da!Gokujō Parodius!Jikkyō Oshaberi ParodiusSexy ParodiusParo WarsOtomedius (Otomedius Gorgeous) • Otomedius Excellent
Other games ScrambleThunder CrossThunder Cross IISpace ManbowForce Gear
Pachislot Gradius: The SlotCR Parodius Da! EXGokuraku Parodius!
Cancelled Vic ViperGradius ArcSalamander HD Remaster
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