Gradius (Game Boy Color) Playthrough
3Playthrough of Gradius, the colorized remake of the 1990 horizontally scrolling space shooter as included in the 1999 Konami GB Collection Vol. 1 compilation for the Game Boy Color.
Gradius for the Game Boy Color, included in Konami GB Collection Vol. 1, is a portable adaptation of the classic side-scrolling space shooter. Although scaled down from its arcade and console versions, it maintains the core gameplay elements that define the series. Players pilot the Vic Viper starfighter through a series of horizontally-scrolling levels filled with waves of enemies, environmental hazards, and large bosses.
The game uses the traditional Gradius power-up system, where collecting capsules allows players to activate weapons and abilities from a selectable upgrade bar. These include speed boosts, missiles, double shots, lasers, and the ever-essential option units that follow the player's movements and replicate their firepower. Strategic use of these upgrades is crucial to surviving the increasingly difficult stages.
Visually, the game makes good use of the Game Boy Color’s limited screen size and palette. Sprites are simple but recognizable, and the backgrounds retain a sense of depth and motion. While the action can occasionally become cluttered, it generally remains playable and responsive. The music is a chiptune interpretation of the original Gradius soundtrack, delivering a familiar and energetic backdrop to the action.
Despite hardware limitations, the Game Boy Color version preserves the essence of Gradius. It offers a challenging experience that emphasizes reflexes, memorization, and precise movement. For fans of the series or classic shoot-’em-ups, this portable version is a respectable entry that captures the spirit of the original while making necessary compromises for handheld play.