Gradius: Archimendes Edition (Famicom) Playthrough
5Playthrough of Gradius Archimendes Edition (Gradius Arukimendesuhen / グラディウスアルキメンデス編,), Konami's 1986 shoot 'em up for the Nintendo Famicom.
Gradius: Archimendes Edition, released in 1986 for the Famicom, is a rare promotional variant of Konami’s original Gradius. Instead of being sold in stores, this version was distributed as part of a marketing campaign for Archimendes instant ramen, a product line from Otsuka Foods. By mailing in two proofs of purchase from ramen packages during a limited promotion window, players could enter a contest to win one of only four thousand copies. This limited release has made it one of the most elusive Famicom cartridges on the collector’s market.
From a gameplay standpoint, Archimendes Edition is essentially identical to the retail version of Gradius. Players still control the Vic Viper starfighter, navigating horizontal shooter stages filled with swarms of enemies, environmental hazards, and screen-filling bosses. The hallmark power meter system, where players choose when to activate collected upgrades such as speed boosts, missiles, or laser beams, remains intact. The difficulty level and stage layout are unchanged, ensuring that the promotional version plays just as smoothly and tightly as the standard release.
The differences are almost entirely cosmetic. The traditional power-up capsules are replaced with small sprite depictions of Archimendes snack packs, tying the in-game mechanics to the ramen theme. At the end of the game, the congratulatory message is also altered to include a promotional phrase: “Power up with Archimendes game snacks.” These changes are minor but give the game a novelty value, blending Konami’s classic shooter design with cross-branding for a consumer product.
The strengths of this version are tied to the quality of the original Gradius and the novelty of the promotion. Gradius itself was one of the defining shoot ’em ups of the 1980s, introducing mechanics and design choices that would influence the genre for years. Archimendes Edition preserves that core experience intact, while offering a rare collectible twist. For enthusiasts of gaming history, it also serves as an early example of video games being used as advertising tools.
The limitations of Archimendes Edition lie in its scarcity and practicality. With only four thousand copies produced, genuine cartridges are extraordinarily difficult to obtain and often command high prices when they appear on the secondary market. Complete boxed copies can sell for thousands of dollars, while loose cartridges also demand steep sums. Its rarity has also led to concerns about counterfeit or altered copies being passed off as originals, making authentication an important issue for collectors. For the average player, the differences are too minor to justify the pursuit of this edition over the widely available retail Gradius.
In the end, Gradius: Archimendes Edition is best regarded as a curiosity and historical artifact rather than a distinct version of the game. It offers no new gameplay, but its branding and limited release give it a unique place in Famicom history. For collectors and enthusiasts, it represents a fascinating intersection of classic game design and consumer marketing. For players simply seeking the experience of Gradius, the standard edition delivers everything this promotional version offers without the rarity premium.
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