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Cover of Gradius III

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Games like Gradius III

1989 Classic

A classic Konami side-scrolling shooter where you pilot the Vic Viper and customize your loadout through the power-up meter. Famous for its punishing difficulty, memorization-heavy stages and imposing bosses.

What defines Gradius III:

  • Challenging difficulty
  • Sci-fi setting
  • Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
  • Action-packed real-time combat
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The closest matches for Gradius III are Gradius Origins, Steredenn and In the Hunt. Each of these 10 games shares something of what makes Gradius III special – the reasons are listed right on each game.

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Best match

Gradius Origins

99 %

2025 PCPlayStationXboxNintendo Switch 39.99 €

  • Sci-fi setting
  • Challenging difficulty
  • Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)

A collection of all seven arcade Gradius games in 18 versions, including the Gradius III AM Show Version making its home console debut. Classic side-scrolling shoot-'em-ups with the power-up bar, precise dodging and steep difficulty.

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Steredenn

Sci-fi setting

A frantic pixel-art space shmup blending roguelike elements: randomized stages, a large weapon arsenal and punishing boss fights make every run feel different.

In the Hunt

Challenging difficulty

A classic Irem side-scrolling arcade shooter where you pilot a submarine through hostile waters. Detailed pixel art, explosive action and punishing difficulty define the experience.

Hyper Sentinel

Sci-fi setting

A retro arcade shooter inspired by the 8-bit era, mixing classic blasting with modern upgrades and mechanics. Fast reflexes and pixel visuals take center stage.

Enemy Mind

Sci-fi setting

A space shooter with over 70 enemy waves and more than twenty ships, each with its own abilities. A chiptune soundtrack and an adaptive story system round out the arcade experience.

Ultratron

Sci-fi setting

Ultratron is a frantic twin-stick arcade shooter in the spirit of Robotron 2084, where you play the last battle droid blasting waves of killer robots. Neon retro visuals, driving sound and upgrades between levels make for a hypnotic flow.

Star Drifter

Challenging difficulty

An extremely hard and frantic space shooter in the spirit of R-Type, Xenon and Gradius, built around quick reflexes and arcade action.

Alien Soldier

Challenging difficulty

A frantic Treasure run-and-gun with a gauntlet of boss fights, fast gunplay and a flexible weapon loadout. It is extremely demanding, rewarding pattern memorization and precise reflexes.

Darius Gaiden

Sci-fi setting

A classic side-scrolling shoot'em up where you pilot the Silver Hawk against giant mechanical fish bosses, with branching stage routes. Upgradable weapons and the new black hole bomb drive intense arcade action.

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