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Arcade High Score Challenge - Round 13

  • 03-04-2025 06:02PM
    #1
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭


    I thought I might torture us today by picking what many consider the most difficult shmup ever made.

    Gradius_III_Japanese_Arcade_flyer.jpg

    Gradius 3

    The third game in the Gradius series, this one is notorious for how relentlessly brutal it is. Good luck!

    Post edited by Retr0gamer on


«1

Comments

  • #2
    unky chop chop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭unky chop chop


    Old school mutha fooker .

    Never played it but used to love salamander , think it's same same .

    Good choice lad . I've got a new love for side scrolling schmups after your Darius choice.

    Lets get it on !



  • #3
    o1s1n
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,400 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    My OLED switch swansong

    PXL_20250403_182051710.jpg


  • #4
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123324303#Comment_123324303

    This might break you.



  • #5
    o1s1n
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,400 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    Bloody hell it's like flying through treacle!



  • #6
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123324504#Comment_123324504

    You need 2 speed ups at least to get going!



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  • #7
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    Today's attempt:

    gradius3-250403-212448.png

    Got pretty far in the into the second stage. It feels like you have 1 life in this game. Managed to survive long enough to get missiles, laser and 2 options and a forcefield in stage 1. Stage 2 went well but it got a bit mental and I took a hit. After that I couldn't recover. The game isn't too mean, leaving you with some power ups after a death, but it's a herculean task to recover.



  • #8
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    Sorry, thread got stickied somehow.

    Are you finding this one too much of a ballbuster?



  • #9
    o1s1n
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,400 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    I'm happy to keep at this one, it's certainly difficult but seems doable with repetition.

    Managed to get to the level 1 boss a couple of times last night. I think what's really letting me down at the moment is the Switch analog stick, might need to find alternative means to play it.



  • #10
    unky chop chop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭unky chop chop


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123325718#Comment_123325718

    Ahhh yeah stick with it . I gave it 2 credits and was destroyed at the area with those flying lions on level 1 each time .

    Im liking it , just need to power up the speed a few times as I only copped all the weapon selections are stackable .

    Ya really are scuppered when ya die and are left with nothing



  • #11
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123325935#Comment_123325935

    Got myself a 8bitdo arcade stick and while I like it I think I need to modify with a LS-55 and some sanwa buttons.

    Word of warning... You can still die while the boss is dying and it won't count as defeated either...



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  • #12
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    Also where is @johnny_ultimate. We have a real shmup here to try, none of that bullet hell nonsense!



  • #13
    unky chop chop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭unky chop chop


    Have I the right version btw?

    Played it yesterday and I'm presented with two options at the start . In Japanese so haven't a clue what they are . I picked the one on the left that is selected by default . Then I get options to modify my weapon options in the tree of power ups



  • #14
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123326444#Comment_123326444

    The version I am playing is in English. Might be worth checking if the default version is different between the japanese and world version.

    You should have two options at the start. The first is a load out that is pre selected. If you select that you can select you shield power up afterwards.

    The second option lets you select what goes into each power up slot. So you can change your double shot, missiles and laser weapon in there.



  • #15
    unky chop chop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭unky chop chop


    Yeah there was an option before those screens , but just checked and it's normal or beginner option

    I selected normal and it appears from looking it up jap version is the same as world. But I'll download world version later just to be sure to be sure as I don't want any investigations when I destroy you @Retr0gamer .

    😂😂😂



  • #16
    o1s1n
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,400 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    The Switch Arcade Archives version has that too - Japanese version and when you start it and there are two options with Japanese written in the boxes. Must try Google Lens on it and see what they say.



  • #17
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,568 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123326141#Comment_123326141

    Will give it a try, though the Monster Hunter title update has dropped so can’t guarantee it’ll be this weekend!



  • #18
    unky chop chop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭unky chop chop


    Ahhh jesus I'm special .

    I forgot their was a seperate Button for missiles and have made it past the half way point in level 1.

    Now Im not dodging screens full of bullets constantly .



  • #19
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    Stage 2 fills the screen with complete nonsense.



  • #20
    unky chop chop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭unky chop chop


    Yeah I got there , loads of bloody bouncy bubbles and madness . Lost a life and twas a lost cause from then on ...couldnt recover .

    Really makes you pay . Left with nothing but a measly speed up and a pea shooter .

    Ill give it another few credits later .

    Im sure there will be a level like in salamander or maybe it was nemesis that is basically like a fecking maze with all the landscape . If I come across that I'm just going to jump out the window naked, head first and be done with it .

    I still have nightmares about that level ..I'm sure it was either salamander or similar .

    Seems the hardest side scrolling schmups always have those rock hard environmental levels...thundeforce and hellfire come to my mind and I get instantly angry



  • #21
    unky chop chop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭unky chop chop


    IMG_20250404_210143.jpg

    Snapping at your heels @Retr0gamer .

    In all fairness , the game hands out extra lifes ...to attempt to compensate but sure you could have 20 lives ,they are worth nothing as you don't have a pot to P1ss on when ya spawn again 😂

    Thats it for tonight



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  • #22
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123327417#Comment_123327417

    Yeah the speed up level is a staple of the Gradius/salamander series since Gradius 2.

    They have one in every game since.



  • #23
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,568 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    Time to spice things up a bit…

    0003.png

    Actually would have gotten further but used too many speed ups as had run out of other upgrades and basically couldn't control my ship :P



  • #24
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    You should keep.your power up bar sitting on shield if you manage that.



  • #25
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,568 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123333463#Comment_123333463

    Yeah that’s probably best or keeping it as an option for when you die.

    I’ve definitely played this before but it’s been a while. I have gotten fairly good at surviving level one but the sand Falkors can still be really bloody annoying.



  • #26
    unky chop chop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭unky chop chop


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123333573#Comment_123333573

    So do you keep the level of powerup you were on when you die ??

    I seemed to revert back to speed , or nothing sometimes ...

    Ill give it a good go tonight . Busy redoing me cocktail cab last 2 days .. Got

    Screenshot_2025-04-07-19-29-57-065_com.google.android.apps.photos-edit.jpg

    new glass arrived ..paint job and restoring chrome to it's former glory . Sure ulits tHe weather for it



  • #27
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,568 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    I believe you lose your highest level power up when you die - so option first, then laser etc…



  • #28
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    gradius3-250407-213223.png

    Had a good run there. Made it through bubble nonsense and was fully powered up going into stage 3. Stage 3 is a bit mental. Had a bit of a hairy moment near the start where you end up with a lot of enemies behind you and no way to shoot them but my shield held out. Then the scrolling stopped and I thought it was boss time. Nope, it went into a section where you could scroll the stage vertically a bit and had volcanos. The slow down here was absolutely insane. Got through that eventually with judicious use of slowing the game down by firing everything. The next part levelled out with more horizontal scrolling but it made a load of enemies appear behind me and just fill the screen with bullets. Absolute madness. My shield failed and I ended up dead and managed to lose all my lives there. Not sure if a human can do that part without a shield.



  • #29
    unky chop chop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭unky chop chop


    Same just happened to me in level 3.

    Was bombarded by enemies behind me , lost a life and was goosed.

    I got past the bloody bubble level for first time with the help 3 options , ripple laser and a shield and jammed my way past the boss as was first i encountered him.

    Screenshot_2025-04-09-22-24-28-559_com.miui.gallery-edit.jpg

    If I get to that part on third level again I'll try to have double shot



  • #30
    Retr0gamer
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 53,249 CMod ✭✭✭✭Retr0gamer


    Was it the part after the vertical scrolling section or the one near the start?

    My tactics was to ride it out and then sneak behind them and pray I was good enough… or the shield would hold out.



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  • #31
    johnny_ultimate
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,568 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    Yeah seem to be topping out just past 100,000 myself. Can get to stage three pretty consistently - though some runs still end early due to all the obstacles - and have figured out how to get past the first ship dispensers (basically - tail bullets and kill them quickly to avoid ship spam). But if I get past those the volcanoes usually get me, and at that stage dying once is basically a game over when you lose your options.

    Counter-intuitively, it seems beneficial to crash on purpose at the start of stage one (after the first space section) to get your speed ups, laser, missiles and first option pretty much immediately. And also gives you a score boost!

    Post edited by johnny_ultimate on


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