Cover of Gradius

Similar games

Games like Gradius

1985

A classic side-scrolling shooter where collected power-ups advance a selector bar and you choose when to activate the upgrade you want. This power meter system combined with punishing arcade difficulty helped define the genre.

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

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The closest matches for Gradius are Crimzon Clover: World Ignition, Gyruss and Zenodyne R. Each of these 10 games shares something of what makes Gradius special – the reasons are listed right on each game.

Best match

Crimzon Clover: World Ignition

96 %Match

2014PCSteam Deck playable93 % positivefree

Shooting and gunplay
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Sci-fi setting

A fast arcade bullet-hell shooter with three ships and multiple modes ranging from beginner-friendly to brutal. The Break Meter for bombs and power-ups rewards aggressive, risky play.

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Gyruss

Shooting and gunplay

A classic Konami arcade shooter where you rotate your ship around the edge of the screen, blasting waves of enemies that swoop in from the center. Known for its tube-shooter design and its memorable Bach-based soundtrack.

Zenodyne R

Challenging difficulty

A 16-bit era style shoot-'em-up with a Mega Drive-flavored soundtrack, six boss-filled stages, five ships and branching paths. Your reflexes and patience get a serious workout.

Gradius Origins

Challenging difficulty

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.

Asteroids: Recharged

Shooting and gunplay

A modernized take on the arcade classic: pilot a ship, dodge and blast asteroids, chase high scores and tackle challenge levels with new abilities, neon visuals and a fresh soundtrack.

Raiden

Shooting and gunplay

A classic vertical arcade shooter where you dodge enemy fire across eight missions, blast targets and collect power-ups. Built around score chasing and replays, with a steep challenge.

Darius Gaiden

Challenging difficulty

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.

Raptor: Call of the Shadows

Shooting and gunplay

A classic 1994 vertical scrolling arcade shooter where you fly the Raptor as a mercenary, earning cash to buy and upgrade weapons between missions. Fast action, swarms of enemies and a driving soundtrack define the experience.

Zero Wing

Shooting and gunplay

A classic side-scrolling shoot 'em up that became a cult name thanks to the infamous Mega Drive translation and the "All your base are belong to us" meme. Its signature twist is grabbing enemies with a tractor beam and using them as shields.

Hyper Sentinel

Shooting and gunplay

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.

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