Play Gradius III Online

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Cover art of Gradius III

4.7 / 5

7 votes

Platform
SNES
Genres
Shoot 'em Up
Player Perspective
Top-down
Developers
Konami
Publishers
Konami
Release date
December 21, 1990

Summary

Gradius III (often called Gradius 3) pushes the classic side‑scroll shooter into overdrive with ten intense stages and a quirky bonus round that flips the view to a third‑person fly‑through. The SNES version keeps the arcade’s signature weapon mix‑and‑match “Edit Mode,” letting you stitch together missiles, lasers, shields and the iconic “!” power‑up into a custom load‑out, while also offering pre‑set schemes for quick play. A hidden “beginner mode” eases the first three levels, then challenges you to tackle the “technical mode” loop that can run forever, and an unlockable “Arcade” setting cranks the difficulty without altering the core game. Unlike its arcade ancestor, the console port adds a continue system, swaps the cell stage to the finale with a fresh layout and soundtrack, and introduces a new high‑speed boss named Beacon. All of this comes wrapped in the familiar fast‑paced action and tight controls that have made the Vic Viper a retro staple.

Edited by Maya Carter

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  • Screenshot 1 of Gradius III
  • Screenshot 2 of Gradius III
  • Screenshot 3 of Gradius III
  • Screenshot 4 of Gradius III

Multiplayer

Game modes
Cooperative