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Email: snes_central@yahoo.ca
| Game Code: | G3 | Genre: | Shooting/ Side Scrolling |
| US Title: | Gradius III | US Publisher: | Konami |
| Japan Title: | Gradius III | Japan Publisher: | Konami |
| Title in Kanji: | Title in Kana: | グラディウスIII | |
| European Title: | Europe Publisher: | - | |
| Developer: | Konami | Players: | 1 |
| Accessories: | none | Special Chips: | none |
| Save: | none |
Side scrolling shooters were all the rage in the late 80s, and Gradius had no small part in making the genre popular. The third installment of the series was quite impressive with huge bosses and active backgrounds. As always, enemies drop off powerups which make the Vic Viper and impressive fighting machine. The biggest issue in the game is slowdown, although it can be a blessing at times.
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A side-scrolling shoot-em-up and conversion of the 1989 Konami coin-op. The player once again takes control of the Vic Viper spaceship against the massive onslaught of the Bacterion empire. Similar to other games in the series, power-ups are selected by the use of a meter at the bottom of the screen which moves as capsules are collected from defeated enemies. This version is generally faithful to the arcade, but is missing the 3D bonus level, as well as parts of other levels. Contrary to popular belief, the game's notorious "slowdown" with too many objects on screen was intentional and based on a similar effect from the arcade version. Up to 2 players can alternate play. - werwe
Cartridge label information
| Region | Country | Serial Code | notes | Scan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | USA | SNS-G3-USA | regular release | link |
Do you have a label variant that is not listed above or a better quality copy? Read the Submission guidelines for cartridge label scans.
PCB Information
| ROM Chip ID | Region | Known Man. Dates | PCB Type | CIC | SRAM | Decoder/ Logic Circuit | Special Chips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNS-G3-0 (front) | USA | 9131 | SHVC-1A0N-01 | D411 | - | - | - |
| SNS-G3-0 (front) | USA | 9143 | SHVC-1A0N-01 | D411 | - | - | - |
Do you have a PCB with a different ROM chip ID, PCB type or manufacturing date? Read the Submission guidelines for PCB scans.
Box information
| Region | Country | Serial Code | notes | Front scan | Back scan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | USA | SNS-G3-USA | regular release | link | link |
Do you have a box variant that is not listed above or a better quality copy? Read the Submission guidelines for box scans.
Screenshots
Screenshots (2)Published Review Scores
| Nintendo Power | Publication date: October 1991 |
Issue: 29 | Page: 87 |
| Graphics and Sound: 3.8/5 | Play Control: 3.9/5 | Challenge: 3.7/5 | Theme and Fun: 3.6/5 |
Bibliography
- Nintendo Power, Pak Watch - Super NES (Famicom) Showcase (note that these were previews of Super Famicom games and at this point they were not announced for a US release), Publication date: March 1991, Volume: 22, Pages: 96
- Nintendo Power, In the wokrs for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (a poster showing games released or in development for the Super Famicom), Publication date: July 1991, Volume: 26, Pages: 50
- Nintendo Power, Preview, Publication date: August 1991, Volume: 27, Pages: 76-78
- Nintendo Power, Review, Publication date: October 1991, Volume: 29, Pages: 87
- Nintendo Power, Classified Information (Konami Code; random weapons code; extra lives; extra credits; "Option" secret), Publication date: November 1991, Volume: 30, Pages: 23
- Nintendo Power, Classified Information (Bonus stages), Publication date: January 1992, Volume: 32, Pages: 45
- Nintendo Power, Classified Information (Bonus Stages), Publication date: April 1992, Volume: 35, Pages: 26
- Play Action Strategies: Super Nintendo, Hint Guide, Publication date: 1992, Volume: -, Pages: 40-43