''This article is about the MSX computer game, see Gradius II for the official arcade sequel.

Gradius 2, retitled Nemesis 2 in the west, is a video game released for the MSX computer in 1987 by Konami. The game is a sequel to the original MSX version of Gradius, but is unrelated to the arcade game Gradius II Gofer no Yabō (which used the Roman numeral 'II'). This led to the retitling of the arcade version of Gradius II to Nemesis 3: Eve of Destruction (Gofer no Yabō Episode II) when it was ported to the MSX. This version was ported to the Sharp X68000 computer under the name Nemesis '90 Kai, with some graphical and aural enhancements.

In a departure from other games, instead of controlling Vic Viper, the available ship is called Metalion. Unlike other titles, this game has a heavier focus on story, which is told by cut-scenes. The gameplay is mostly unchanged from the rest of the series, though there are some powerups that temporally gives the ship some enhancements. Also, when the bosses are being defeated, if the Metalion flies where they are, a mini-level can be accessed in order to obtain new permanent upgrades, if the mini levels are successfully cleared.

Story

The Director General of Space Science Agency Dr. Venom was exiled to Planet Sard for a failed coup d'état. In the year 6665, he escapes and invades Planet Nemesis and the seven planets it controls with the help of the Bacterian. The Nemesis Highest Council sends James Burton, ex-pilot of the Vic Viper, to pilot Metalion and attack Dr. Venom and the Bacterian invaders. The game takes place during the year 6666.

Gameplay

New weapons:

To get them, the player had to enter into the main bosses ship just after the big explosion when the combat ends. Then a slow alarm sound appears, indicating there's still time. Once the player gets inside the bosses, a short stage has to be completed (the same for every boss). When the nucleus of the boss is destroyed, then the new weapons may be granted:

If the big boss was killed in less than 15 seconds, 2 weapons are granted.

If the big boss was killed in less than 30 seconds, 1 weapon is granted.

If the big boss was killed in more than 30 seconds, no weapon is granted.

On the X68000 version, you get one weapon, no matter how long it takes to kill the boss.

Stages and bosses

There are a total of fourteen normal levels and two bonus levels; this game is much longer than other Gradius titles, which usually have around eight levels. However, stages 10-13 are just boss fights. The levels are the same in both.

Stage	Description	Boss(es)
1. Giant Statue Planet	Giant rotating guns and living statues block the player's progress.	Riot Warship
2. Jungle Planet	Mysterious plants sense the players and release mechanical spores.	Misuhuitsutsu / PLANT Core (X68000)
3. Ancient Planet	A winding maze filled with deadly traps awaits the players.	Misuhuitsutsu
4. Floating Continent	A stage set on a floating mass of land with enemy guided lasers. In the X68000 version this is changed to an ice planet.	Big Core X10?
		May-heme Warship
5. Solar Area	A stage set on a planet that spews massive hot flames at the players.	May-heme Warship / LASER Core (X68000)
6. Living Planet	A massive living planet regenerating at high speed and constantly changing. The boss to this stage has no "Core" section.	Biological Organism
7. Fortress Planet	A heavily armored planet, plated with special metal. There are several mini-bosses to be faced before reaching the end of this stage. The boss to this stage has no "Core" section.	Abadon
8. - 13.	These stages are the same as the above stages in reverse order. The X68000 port changes stages 10 and 11.	Same as stages one through six
10. Asteroid Field.	An deadly asteroid field filled with high speed obstacles and gun turrets. Only appears in the X68000 version. The music used is the same as the cutscenes. The boss to this stage has no "Core" section.	Big Core Mk.2
11. M Class Planet	A green planet filled with deadly waterfalls and bares a resemblance to the first level from the original Gradius. Only appears in the X68000 version. The music used is the same as the bonus levels. The boss to this stage has no "Core" section.	Bubble Core
14. Venom's warship	The warship of Dr. Venom. It uses the same tileset as the "cores" of the regular bosses. The boss to this stage has no "Core" section.	Dr. Venom

Nemesis '90 Kai

This Sharp X68000 port is essentially an enhanced remake of Gradius 2 with graphical quality on par with Gradius III.
It includes two new stages exclusive to this version of the game, and 4 new bosses (two of which replace the rematches fought in the MSX version.)

Ports

Aside from being remade as Nemesis '90 Kai as mentioned above, Gradius 2 was also ported to the Sony PSP in 2007 as part of the Salamander Portable collection.

This is not the only Gradius II. In 1988, Gofer No Yabou (The Ambitions of Gofer??) was ported to the NES, and dropped the "Gofer No Yabou" title. It is similar to its older brother, but it does have differences.

References

External links

• Extensive Japanese page on Nemesis '90 Kai
• Extensive Japanese page on Gradius 2
• Japanese page of Gradius 2 covering the introduction