Lost In Translation/Nemesis

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This page is a stub for arcade games that are part of the Lost In Translation series using information based on MAME (version 0.113u2).
For an example of preferred content and layout please refer to Out Run or The Ninja Warriors.


Nemesis
Nemesis marquee.
No screen shot.
Manufacturer Konami
Released 1985
Control
Method 		8-way Joystick
3 Button(s)
Main CPU 68000 (@ 9.216 MHz)
Z80 (@ 3.580 MHz)
Sound CPU Mono
(2x) AY-3-8910A (@ 1.790 MHz)
K005289 (@ 1.790 MHz)
VLM5030 (@ 3.580 MHz)
Video
Details 		Raster (Horizontal)
256 x 224 pixels
60.61 Hz
2,048 Palette colours
Screens 1
ROM Info 11 ROMs
279,040 bytes (272.50 KiB)
MAME ID nemesis · gradius · nemesuk

About The Game

Nemesis is an horizontally scrolling arcade video game shoot-em-up which, along with Irem's "R-Type", has the destinction of being a true innovator of its genre and, again like R-Type, completely revolutionized the humble shoot-em-up.

Nemesis' eye-catching graphics guaranteed gamer interest but it was the game's genius 'weapon upgrade' system that really made the difference. Never before could players actually choose how to upgrade their ship. Destroying waves of enemies would often see the player reward with an 'orb' that could be picked up. The player could collect up to six orbs and could effectively 'buy' an upgrade from the six displayed at the bottom of the play area (speed-up, bombs, double, laser, multiple - which are orbs that follow the player's movements and add greater firepower - and a mystery 6th upgrade that is marked with an '?'). Game difficulty increases depending on how many power-ups the player has, so it is sometimes advantageous not to power-up your ship too much.

Trivia

This game is known outside Europe as "Gradius".

First shoot-em-up with serious power-ups.

Alfa Records released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (Konami Game Music Vol.1 - 28XA-85) on 27/06/1986.

Apollon Music released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (Original Sound of Gradius - KHY1016) on 05/05/1987.

Interesting note : Several Konami arcade games ("Gradius", "Parodius Da! - Shinwa kara Owarai e", "Salamander", etc...) have the default high score set at 57300. '573' refers to Go-Na-Mi kana letters, a play of word for 'Konami'.

Bandai released a boardgame (in Japan only) based on this videogame (as "Gradius") in 1986 : The board is split into 8 sections, each with its own rules. The things that remain the same are that each uses a square-grid for movement, and you can power up your ship by getting the capsules.

Tips and tricks

  • Plan your power ups well : When starting/restarting the game, the regular shot being your only method of attack could be very tough. But that doesn't mean increasing your firepower by equipping MULTIPLE very first is good because you cannot move around quickly. You will end up being hit. Therefore, first power up your speed once or twice so you can move faster.
  • DOUBLE and its problems : With DOUBLE, you can shoot in front of you and diagonally. However, since you cannot fire rapidly, it is not a weapon easy to use. Equip at least 2 MULTIPLE before equipping DOUBLE.
  • Make good use of the LASER : Hitting enemies above and below you with the LASER is rather easy. You don't have to go for a direct hit. Make it fly near the enemy for a slight touch.
  • MISSILE movement : The MISSILE moves along the ground. If there is something sticking out of the ground, the MISSILE stops there. Keep an eye on the landscape.
  • Take control of the MULTIPLE : The MULTIPLE follow the path of VIC VIPER. Take advantage of this feature and attack enemies that VIC VIPER cannot reach. Use formations to wipe out th enemy! Also, the faster VIC VIPER is, the more widely spread the MULTIPLE are from each other. Take advantage of this feature as well.
  • Renewing the BARRIER : The BARRIER wears out not only by making contact with the enemy and enemy shots. It does so by touching the landscape. Make use of this trait and make the BARRIER touch enemies or the landscape to wear it down and get rid of it. Then equip a new BARRIER.
  • Come up with a conquering pattern : This game is a shooter that gives you a lot of freedom in terms of how you can conquer levels. Learn the tips, remember the appearance patterns of the enemy, and come up with your own way of conquering the game.

Series

  1. Nemesis (1985)
  2. Salamander (1986)
  3. Gradius 2 (1987, MSX)
  4. Vulcan Venture (1988)
  5. Nemesis 3 - The Eve of Destruction (1988, MSX)
  6. Gradius III - Densetsu Kara Shinwa-e (1989)
  7. Gradius - The Interstellar Assault (1991, Nintendo Game Boy)
  8. Nemesis '90 Kai (1993, Sharp X68000)
  9. Salamander 2 (1996)
  10. Solar Assault - Gradius (1997)
  11. Solar Assault - Revisited (1997)
  12. Gradius Gaiden (1997, Sony PlayStation)
  13. Gradius IV - Fukkatsu (1999)
  14. Gradius Generation (2002, Nintendo Game Boy Advance)
  15. Gradius V (2003, Sony PlayStation 2)

Staff

Music By
Miki Higashino

Cabinet and Artwork

  • Nemesis arcade cabinet.

  • Nemesis flyer.

  • Alternate Nemesis flyer.

Ports

Consoles
Nintendo Famicom (1986)
Nintendo Game Boy (1990)
NEC PC-Engine (1991)
Sega Saturn (1996, "Gradius Deluxe Pack")
Sony PlayStation (1996, "Gradius Deluxe Pack")
Sony PSP (2006, "Gradius Collection")
Computers
MSX (1986)
Sharp X1 (1986)
Commodore C64 (1987)
Sinclair ZX Spectrum (1987)
Amstrad CPC (1987)
Sharp X68000 (1987)
NEC PC 8801
PC [MS Windows] ("Gradius Deluxe Pack")
Others
LCD handheld game (1989) by Konami

Soundtrack Releases

Album Name Catalogue No. Released Publisher Comments
MIDI Power ver.2.0 X68000 Collection KICA-7611[1] 1993-01-21 King Records Inc. CD version.
Suite Gradius Fantasia BY30-5207[2] 1988-11-21 Apollon Inc. CD version.
Gradius Arcade Soundtrack KMCA-155~6[3] 2002-04-24 Konami Music Entertainment 2 CD version.
Symphonic Poem Gradius III KICA-1010[4] 1990-06-05 King Records Inc. CD version.
Perfect Selection Gradius KICA-1048[5] 1991-11-21 King Records Inc. CD version.
Gradius ~Remixes~ KICA-7840[6] 1998-02-21 Konami Media Entertainment, Inc. CD version.
MIDI Power Pro Best Selection KICA-7670[7] 1995-08-04 King Records Inc. CD version.
MIDI Power Pro 7 ~Gradius~ KMCA-5[8] 1999-04-23 Konami Music Entertainment, Inc. CD version.
Kukeiha Club KICA-1020[9] 1990-11-21 King Records CD version.
Konami GM Hits Factory I KICA-1122[10] 1993-03-24 King Records CD version.
Konami GAME MUSIC VOL.1 28XA-85[11] 1986-06-25 Alpha Records CD version.
Game Music Now & Then SCDC-00292~3[12] 2003-12-17 Scitron Digital Content 2 CD version.
Kukeiha Club KICA-7912[13] 1998-09-23 Konami CD version.
Konami Ending Collection KICA-1046~7[14] 1991-10-21 King Records 2 CD version.
Konami All Stars ~1000-Ryo Box Heisei 4th Year Edition~ KICA-1053~5[15] 1991-12-21 King Records Inc. 3 CD version.
Perfect Selection Gradius Part 2 KICA-1112[16] 1992-11-06 King Records Inc. CD version.
Gradius In Classic II KICA-1135[17] 1993-12-22 King Records Inc. CD version.
Gradius In Classic I KICA-7624[18] 1993-12-22 King Records Inc. CD version.
Original Sound of Gradius (Famicom Version) KHY-1010[19] 1986-05-21 Apollon Cassette version.
Konami GAME MUSIC VOL.1 SCDC-00050[20] 2000-11-01 Scitron Discs CD version.
Konami GAME MUSIC VOL.1 ALC-22902[21] 1986-06-25 Alpha Records Cassette version.
Konami GAME MUSIC VOL.1 ALR-22902[22] 1986-06-25 Alpha Records Vinyl version.
KONAMI GAME MUSIC SPECIAL 28XA-214[23] 1988-08-25 Alfa Records CD version.
KONAMI GAME MUSIC SPECIAL ALC-28103[24] 1988-08-25 Alfa Records Cassette version.
Original Sound of Gradius & Salamander - Battle Music Collection BY30-5180[25] 1987-11-21 APOLLON CD version.
Original Sound of Gradius & Salamander - Battle Music Collection KSF-1506[26] 1987-11-21 APOLLON Cassette version.
Original Sound of Gradius & Salamander - Battle Music Collection AY25-0015[27] 1987-11-21 APOLLON Vinyl version.
Gradius Tribute SCDC-00530[28] 2006-12-20 Happinet CD version.
Winbee's Neo Cinema 2 ~Paradise side~ KICA-7642[29] 1994-08-05 King Records Inc. CD version.
Gradius IV Fukkatsu Original Game Soundtrack KICA-7947[30] 1999-03-05 King Records CD version.
MIDI Power ver.2.0 X68000 Collection KICA-7908[31] 1998-09-23 King Record Co., Ltd. CD version.
Original Sound of Gradius (Arcade Version) BY12-5021[32] 1987-05-05 Apollon CD version.
Original Sound of Gradius (Arcade Version) KHY-1016[33] 1987-05-05 Apollon Cassette version.
Konami Special Music Golden Treasure Chest 220A-7721~3[34] 1989-12-21 King Records Inc. 3 CD version.
Konami Addiction ~For Electro Lovers~ UPCH-1606[35] 2008-05-21 Universal Music CD version.
Legend of Game Music ~Premium Box~ SCDC-00410~7[36] 2005-03-24 Scitron Digital Contents 8 CD version.
Salamander OVA 2: Meisou no Paola Original Soundtrack K30X-7148[37] 1988-12-21 N/A CD version.
Beep Special Project - Konami Game Music Sono Sheet N/A[38] 1987-03-01 Softbank Publishing Vinyl version.
GRADIUS house ReMix LC-1742[39] 2009-02-27 Konami CD version.

External Links

References

  1. ↑ MIDI Power ver.2.0 X68000 Collection (CD) at the VGMdb
  2. ↑ Suite Gradius Fantasia (CD) at the VGMdb
  3. ↑ Gradius Arcade Soundtrack (CD) at the VGMdb
  4. ↑ Symphonic Poem Gradius III (CD) at the VGMdb
  5. ↑ Perfect Selection Gradius (CD) at the VGMdb
  6. ↑ Gradius ~Remixes~ (CD) at the VGMdb
  7. ↑ MIDI Power Pro Best Selection (CD) at the VGMdb
  8. ↑ MIDI Power Pro 7 ~Gradius~ (CD) at the VGMdb
  9. ↑ Kukeiha Club (CD) at the VGMdb
  10. ↑ Konami GM Hits Factory I (CD) at the VGMdb
  11. ↑ Konami GAME MUSIC VOL.1 (CD) at the VGMdb
  12. ↑ Game Music Now & Then (CD) at the VGMdb
  13. ↑ Kukeiha Club (CD) at the VGMdb
  14. ↑ Konami Ending Collection (CD) at the VGMdb
  15. ↑ Konami All Stars ~1000-Ryo Box Heisei 4th Year Edition~ (CD) at the VGMdb
  16. ↑ Perfect Selection Gradius Part 2 (CD) at the VGMdb
  17. ↑ Gradius In Classic II (CD) at the VGMdb
  18. ↑ Gradius In Classic I (CD) at the VGMdb
  19. ↑ Original Sound of Gradius (Famicom Version) (Cassette) at the VGMdb
  20. ↑ Konami GAME MUSIC VOL.1 (CD) at the VGMdb
  21. ↑ Konami GAME MUSIC VOL.1 (Cassette) at the VGMdb
  22. ↑ Konami GAME MUSIC VOL.1 (Vinyl) at the VGMdb
  23. ↑ KONAMI GAME MUSIC SPECIAL (CD) at the VGMdb
  24. ↑ KONAMI GAME MUSIC SPECIAL (Cassette) at the VGMdb
  25. ↑ Original Sound of Gradius & Salamander - Battle Music Collection (CD) at the VGMdb
  26. ↑ Original Sound of Gradius & Salamander - Battle Music Collection (Cassette) at the VGMdb
  27. ↑ Original Sound of Gradius & Salamander - Battle Music Collection (Vinyl) at the VGMdb
  28. ↑ Gradius Tribute (CD) at the VGMdb
  29. ↑ Winbee's Neo Cinema 2 ~Paradise side~ (CD) at the VGMdb
  30. ↑ Gradius IV Fukkatsu Original Game Soundtrack (CD) at the VGMdb
  31. ↑ MIDI Power ver.2.0 X68000 Collection (CD) at the VGMdb
  32. ↑ Original Sound of Gradius (Arcade Version) (CD) at the VGMdb
  33. ↑ Original Sound of Gradius (Arcade Version) (Cassette) at the VGMdb
  34. ↑ Konami Special Music Golden Treasure Chest (CD) at the VGMdb
  35. ↑ Konami Addiction ~For Electro Lovers~ (CD) at the VGMdb
  36. ↑ Legend of Game Music ~Premium Box~ (CD) at the VGMdb
  37. ↑ Salamander OVA 2: Meisou no Paola Original Soundtrack (CD) at the VGMdb
  38. ↑ Beep Special Project - Konami Game Music Sono Sheet (Vinyl) at the VGMdb
  39. ↑ GRADIUS house ReMix (CD) at the VGMdb

The contents of this page are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
The sources used include MAME (version 0.113u2) and history.dat (revision 1.28 - 2008-10-18).
Please see http://www.arcade-history.com for credits.

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