| Console: | Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) |
| TV Standard: | Region Not Set |
| Developer(s): | Konami |
| Publisher(s): | Konami |
| Release Date: | 1986-12-26 |
| Players: | 2 |
| Co-op: | No |
| ESRB: | E - Everyone |
| Type: | Action, Shooter |
One of the defining characteristics of the Gradius series is the use of a "power meter." The power meter is powered by a power-up item, whose purpose, when collected, is to move a highlight to the next power-up on the power meter. When a power-up that the player wants becomes highlighted, he or she may activate it, also causing the highlight to reset.
Game Player of Gradius on Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)Generally, you can review the controls (keyboard) setting during each game in the screen before it starts. Use the arrow keys and “Z”, “X”, “A”, “S”, “Q”, “E” buttons to play, or customize yourself with your gamepad or keyboard.
| Keyboard | Controls |
| ← → ↑ ↓ | Directions for LEFT, RIGHT, UP, DOWN |
| Enter ↵ | START |
| Shift | SELECT |
| Z | A |
| X | B |
| A | X |
| S | Y |
| Q | L |
| E | R |
