Parodius (1990). Play online

Summary

Parodius! From Myth to Laughter, often just called Parodius, is Konami’s tongue‑in‑cheek love letter to classic side‑scroll shooters. You pick one of four quirky pilots—Vic Viper, the octopus‑sized Salamander, the bright‑colored TwinBee or the hamster‑like Pentarou—each carrying a familiar Gradius weapon set, while TwinBee‑style bells pop up as one‑off power‑ups that can vaporize enemies or unleash massive beams. The visual style leans heavily into absurdity, mixing sci‑fi space junk with anime‑styled scantily‑clad girls, animated moai, and carnival‑like backdrops, all set to classical remixes ranging from Strauss polkas to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

The NES/FC port trims several original stages but tacks on a fresh amusement‑park level and a handful of hidden bonus rounds, giving hardcore fans a new secret to chase. Notable swaps include Miss Mishitarina replacing one of the regular bosses and the omission of Honey Mikayo, despite her cameo on European box art. Bell power‑ups, quirky boss designs, and the symphonic soundtrack keep the parody fresh for any retro shooter enthusiast.

Storyline

In the NES shooter Parodius, the Great Octopus has threatened Earth, prompting a frantic quest to save the planet. You and a quirky band of allies travel across diverse locations, searching the whole world for clues about the looming menace. The journey leads you to confront the mysterious enemy behind the Octopus’s scheme. As each stage unfolds, you must locate the hidden foe and destroy him to restore peace. The game’s whimsical tone masks the urgent mission of stopping the Great Octopus and protecting humanity.