Gradius III

"The best of the Gradius series, although that isn't saying much."

Game Play-7/10

We have all seen this game play before. There is not much different in Gradius III than in other games in the two-dimensional side-scrolling flight shooter genre such as U.N. Squadron, Darius Twin, Thunder Spirits, R-Type III, and Super R-Type. There is absolutely nothing different from Gradius II, except that in the beginning you can edit more weapons. Nothing different about Gradius III in the game play department.

Audio-8/10

The music in Gradius III is good and really catchy at first, but then it starts to get real annoying. The sound effects are good, and that guy who talks whenever you get a power up is very annoying. My theory is that there should be no voice in sixteen bit games. Of course I can not change that now. One thing that bothers me, most the Konami-made games for the Super Nintendo have the same pause sound. Gradius III, Axelay, T.N.M.T. Tournament Fighters, and I think Contra III have the same pause sound. Jeers to Konami for that.

Graphics-6/10

The graphics in Gradius III are good, but I have seen it all, so the graphics could be much, much, MUCH better. But then again, maybe I just played Darius Twin too much, and Darius Twin is the meterstick in which I measure the rest of the two-dimensional side-scrolling flight shooters. It is a large genre, believe me. Nice level designs though, of course the enemy designs and the level backgrounds could have used a lot of work also. Nothing special about Gradius III in the graphics department. The graphics in Gradius III actually pale in comparison to most Super Nintendo games in its genre.

Overall-7/10

If you like flight shooters, then I suggest that you get Gradius III. If you do not care for the genre, than do not care for Gradius III. If you absolutely want Gradius III and you either can not find it, or you do not have a Super Nintendo, then get Gradius III & IV for the Sony Playstation 2. Don't have a Sony Playstation 2, I cannot help you there. There ain't no way you are getting my Playstation 2. I know that most of you do not like flight shooters, and not many are coming out anymore. Basically the genre is limited to Slipheed and Macross, and I have never played them. So you just may want to buy Gradius III at Hollywood Video.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 12/30/00, Updated 05/20/02