Gradius (Nemesis) - Boss Recovery (X68000)
45Wait, a boss run of the original Gradius? Isn't that kind of pointless?
Well, to do a regular video of it, yes. Yes it is. But since you all know I'm the masochistic type.
In what is clearly an effort to inflict the most pain possible on myself, I've gone and done the insane thing of attempting... recovery runs against Gradius bosses.
What's a Recovery Run?:
Here's the basic idea: Get to the boss, and then die. Then beat the boss (and.. what parts of the stage it forces me to do.) with the few power-ups you get from the pre-boss checkpoint.
The hardest part about the Gradius series is, when you die, especially to one of the bosses, it's extremely difficult to continue. This is what makes the Gradius series amongst the hardest shoot em up's around.
And since doing a regular (full power) boss run against the first Gradius would be entirely laughable - why not up the challenge?
Gradius 1 has only three types of bosses: Big Core, Nucleus.. and the... final... two types of bosses. It has two types.
Every stage but one, also has a mini-boss that pre-empts the actual boss. These generally are harder than the actual boss, (although some have safe spots that make them much easier.) The actual Big Core itself is very predicable in this game, later games gave it new moves and more bullets to make it an actual threat.
I'm playing the X68000 version because Mame has an annoying habit of speeding up for no reason at all, at random, which makes shoot em ups neigh unplayable.
The X68 version is basically arcade perfect aside from the music.
Notes:
Stage 1:
Stage: Not that hard providing you take care to take out the things that actually shoot at you.
Mini-Boss: Safespot isn't exactly safe. You have to time the missiles correctly to hit any stray rocks that go by your direction.
Boss: It's Big Core. It's not exactly much of a threat.
Stage 2:
Stage: Without power-ups, the turrets don't seem too fussed to actually try and kill you. Getting a laser and missile here is a good idea for the mini-boss.
Mini-Boss: Zub Rush! Nearly every Gradius game has one of these! These ones don't actually drop power ups, so you actually have to pay more attention rather than just rely on picking up options to take care of them. XP
Boss: Big Core is Big Core.
Stage 3:
Stage: Tougher than it looks. Kill the odd Moai head if you can, but concentrating on dodging is a better idea. I got Double here for the hell of it.
Mini-Boss: You'll kill some of these by accident, but that should not be your goal. Aim for gaps in the fire and you'll be fine. contrary to the rest of the stage, not only do these things block your shots but are also invulnerable. Go figure.
When the boss shows up, the enemy ships disappear but their shots don't.
Boss: Oh no it's... Big Core! ARGH.
Stage 4:
Stage: Kinda linked to the mini-boss... Get a missile and Speed Up. It's not worth trying to get anything else, just concentrate on survival.
Mini-Boss: O_o; Holy crap that's alot of bullets. I miss my shield.
This level has ALOT of enemies that shoot bullets regardless of whether you've got power ups or not!
Dying on this stage (especially towards the beginning.) is pretty much a game ender.
The Mini-Boss itself has a safe spot providing you've picked up a missile.
Boss: Oh dear, how ever will you beat the Big Core?
Stage 5:
Stage: Hope you had a power up in the meter when you died, this stage doesn't give you ANY.
Fortunately, this is the easiest stage in the game, with or without power ups. Concentrate on eliminating the Golem's arms and you're home free.
Mini-Boss: Three Golems at once? You mean like the rest of the level?
Boss: OH SHI - IT'S THE FREAKING BIG CORE.
Stage 6:
Stage: Lot's of power ups here. You'll need them to take out the boss. You need at least an option and a laser.
Boss: It's.. not Big Core? Aw man I was just getting the hang of him and they throw THIS at me.
:p
This is the easiest thing ever if you get both an option and a laser. If you have one and not the other... you aren't killing this thing any time soon. It's bullets block your shots. That's a bit of an issue when you yourself aren't shooting many of them yourself.
Stage 7:
Stage: Erm... what happened to the mech thing? That doesn't re-spawn if you die?
Mini-Boss: Same as the Golems. Only bother killing one of the arms
Boss: It's a Gradius game. It's the final boss. Of course it's insanely difficult.
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