![Gradius 2 [NES] - The Famicom Classic the West was Denied & 1CC Delta Run @THESHMUPMASTER](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WCb7pNUZeWM/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded April 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
SHMUP Master Presents: Gradius 2 - An Introduction to a classic we never got in the West. Followed by a 4 way simultaneous 1cc run featuring Brasel the Gamer, The Bug Doctor and Nefarious Wes.
Gradius 2 is of course, the sequel to the mighty Gradius, the SHMUP that arguably kick-started the entire genre. Sadly, upon it's initial launch in the arcades in 1988, it never left Japan. The game was however ported to the Famicom (and MSX) the same year, and the PC-Engine CD-ROM in 1992, but these ports never saw the light of day outside of Japan. Eventually, both versions were released to the West but not until nearly two decades later in 2006 and 2007 on the Gradius Collection (PSP) and Wii Virtual Console respectively.
Overall, Gradius 2 is a bonafide classic. Every version of the game has something unique to offer. From the arcades smooth graphics and sounds, to the PC-Engines extra stage. But the version that really stands out is the Famicom port (it also features a unique stage). Mainly because it is just so technically impressive for a game on an 8-bit system. The soundtrack in particular is one of the best you will ever hear on the NES/Famicom. The soundtrack on this port is also arguably the best of the bunch as well and features many completely unique tunes. Combine that with a multitude of boss fights, hordes of enemies on screen at once, space dragons, solar flares, not to mention a speed zone and epic boss rush, and you've got yourself a SHMUP like no other on Nintendo's 8-bit hardware.
I've wanted to cover the Famicom/NES version of Gradius 2 since I first found out about it several years ago. It's similarities to Life Force/Salamander were striking, but they are really quite different as well. I truly feel like this game, especially the NES/Famicom port is an under appreciated gem. Certainly worthy of the SHMUP Master treatment.
If you recall my first Gradius video, then you will remember that it was a side by side 1cc featuring 2 simultaneous runs. Well, since Gradius 2 was such a quantum leap forward in comparison to the original, I wanted to up the ante accordingly for my video as well. For Gradius 2, I recruited 3 friends to help me 1cc this game. I then combined all of our footage and synced it up so you can watch and compare all 4 runs in real time. We all also recorded commentary together while watching the footage. I also animated every boss in the game, created custom overlays for each stage, and added an intro and outro discussion section at the beginning and end of the run.
Brasel the Gamer did his own video on Gradius 2 which launched the same day as this one. You can find it here:
youtube.com/watch?v=CRsO1R1mIvM
Nefarious Wes also released his solo run with commentary, which you can find here:
youtube.com/watch?v=CRsO1R1mIvM
My solo run will be available in the near future. So keep an eye on the channel!
*All SHMUP Master footage was captured on an original NES Model 2 console (modded for RGB Output) through a Framemeister using RGB at 60fps.
*Brasel the Gamer and Bug Doctors footage was captured on original NES model 1 consoles using RCA cables.
*Nefarious Wes captured footage using a Retron 5 through HDMI.
*All 4 of us used original Gradius 2 Famicom cartridges. Myself, Bud Doctor and Brasel the Gamer used the Hyperkin Famicom adapter which allowed us to use the Gradius 2 cartridge on the North American NES console.
SHMUP Master Presents: Gradius 2 - An Introduction to a classic we never got in the West. Followed by a 4 way simultaneous 1cc run featuring Brasel the Gamer, The Bug Doctor and Nefarious Wes.
Gradius 2 is of course, the sequel to the mighty Gradius, the SHMUP that arguably kick-started the entire genre. Sadly, upon it's initial launch in the arcades in 1988, it never left Japan. The game was however ported to the Famicom (and MSX) the same year, and the PC-Engine CD-ROM in 1992, but these ports never saw the light of day outside of Japan. Eventually, both versions were released to the West but not until nearly two decades later in 2006 and 2007 on the Gradius Collection (PSP) and Wii Virtual Console respectively.
Overall, Gradius 2 is a bonafide classic. Every version of the game has something unique to offer. From the arcades smooth graphics and sounds, to the PC-Engines extra stage. But the version that really stands out is the Famicom port (it also features a unique stage). Mainly because it is just so technically impressive for a game on an 8-bit system. The soundtrack in particular is one of the best you will ever hear on the NES/Famicom. The soundtrack on this port is also arguably the best of the bunch as well and features many completely unique tunes. Combine that with a multitude of boss fights, hordes of enemies on screen at once, space dragons, solar flares, not to mention a speed zone and epic boss rush, and you've got yourself a SHMUP like no other on Nintendo's 8-bit hardware.
I've wanted to cover the Famicom/NES version of Gradius 2 since I first found out about it several years ago. It's similarities to Life Force/Salamander were striking, but they are really quite different as well. I truly feel like this game, especially the NES/Famicom port is an under appreciated gem. Certainly worthy of the SHMUP Master treatment.
If you recall my first Gradius video, then you will remember that it was a side by side 1cc featuring 2 simultaneous runs. Well, since Gradius 2 was such a quantum leap forward in comparison to the original, I wanted to up the ante accordingly for my video as well. For Gradius 2, I recruited 3 friends to help me 1cc this game. I then combined all of our footage and synced it up so you can watch and compare all 4 runs in real time. We all also recorded commentary together while watching the footage. I also animated every boss in the game, created custom overlays for each stage, and added an intro and outro discussion section at the beginning and end of the run.
Brasel the Gamer did his own video on Gradius 2 which launched the same day as this one. You can find it here:
youtube.com/watch?v=CRsO1R1mIvM
Nefarious Wes also released his solo run with commentary, which you can find here:
youtube.com/watch?v=CRsO1R1mIvM
My solo run will be available in the near future. So keep an eye on the channel!
*All SHMUP Master footage was captured on an original NES Model 2 console (modded for RGB Output) through a Framemeister using RGB at 60fps.
*Brasel the Gamer and Bug Doctors footage was captured on original NES model 1 consoles using RCA cables.
*Nefarious Wes captured footage using a Retron 5 through HDMI.
*All 4 of us used original Gradius 2 Famicom cartridges. Myself, Bud Doctor and Brasel the Gamer used the Hyperkin Famicom adapter which allowed us to use the Gradius 2 cartridge on the North American NES console.
![Gradius 2 [NES] - The Famicom Classic the West was Denied & 1CC Delta Run](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WCb7pNUZeWM/mqdefault.jpg "Gradius 2 [NES] - The Famicom Classic the West was Denied & 1CC Delta Run
SHMUP Master Presents: Gradius 2 - An Introduction to a classic we never got in the West. Followed by a 4 way simultaneous 1cc run featuring Brasel the Gamer, The Bug Doctor and Nefarious Wes.
Gradius 2 is of course, the sequel to the mighty Gradius, the SHMUP that arguably kick-started the entire genre. Sadly, upon its initial launch in the arcades in 1988, it never left Japan. The game was however ported to the Famicom (and MSX) the same year, and the PC-Engine CD-ROM in 1992, but these ports never saw the light of day outside of Japan. Eventually, both versions were released to the West but not until nearly two decades later in 2006 and 2007 on the Gradius Collection (PSP) and Wii Virtual Console respectively.
Overall, Gradius 2 is a bonafide classic. Every version of the game has something unique to offer. From the arcades smooth graphics and sounds, to the PC-Engines extra stage. But the version that really stands out is the Famicom port (it also features a unique stage). Mainly because it is just so technically impressive for a game on an 8-bit system. The soundtrack in particular is one of the best you will ever hear on the NES/Famicom. The soundtrack on this port is also arguably the best of the bunch as well and features many completely unique tunes. Combine that with a multitude of boss fights, hordes of enemies on screen at once, space dragons, solar flares, not to mention a speed zone and epic boss rush, and youve got yourself a SHMUP like no other on Nintendos 8-bit hardware.
Ive wanted to cover the Famicom/NES version of Gradius 2 since I first found out about it several years ago. Its similarities to Life Force/Salamander were striking, but they are really quite different as well. I truly feel like this game, especially the NES/Famicom port is an under appreciated gem. Certainly worthy of the SHMUP Master treatment.
If you recall my first Gradius video, then you will remember that it was a side by side 1cc featuring 2 simultaneous runs. Well, since Gradius 2 was such a quantum leap forward in comparison to the original, I wanted to up the ante accordingly for my video as well. For Gradius 2, I recruited 3 friends to help me 1cc this game. I then combined all of our footage and synced it up so you can watch and compare all 4 runs in real time. We all also recorded commentary together while watching the footage. I also animated every boss in the game, created custom overlays for each stage, and added an intro and outro discussion section at the beginning and end of the run.
Brasel the Gamer did his own video on Gradius 2 which launched the same day as this one. You can find it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRsO1R1mIvM
Nefarious Wes also released his solo run with commentary, which you can find here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRsO1R1mIvM
My solo run will be available in the near future. So keep an eye on the channel!
*All SHMUP Master footage was captured on an original NES Model 2 console (modded for RGB Output) through a Framemeister using RGB at 60fps.
*Brasel the Gamer and Bug Doctors footage was captured on original NES model 1 consoles using RCA cables.
*Nefarious Wes captured footage using a Retron 5 through HDMI.
*All 4 of us used original Gradius 2 Famicom cartridges. Myself, Bud Doctor and Brasel the Gamer used the Hyperkin Famicom adapter which allowed us to use the Gradius 2 cartridge on the North American NES console.")
![An Introduction to The Guardian Legend [NES] & 1CC Run in SHMUP Mode](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZwB8ejubBPU/mqdefault.jpg "An Introduction to The Guardian Legend [NES] & 1CC Run in SHMUP Mode
SHMUP Master Presents: An Introduction to The Guardian Legend, followed by my 1CC run of the game in SHMUP mode with commentary.
This is the first of several videos I will be releasing on this game in 2018. I have been wanting to cover The Guardian Legend since the inception of this channel. It took me a while to finally commit to it because, well, its a massively influential game for me and for gaming in general. So I wanted to make sure I gave it the absolute best treatment possible.
The first several minutes of the video are a tribute of sorts. This sequence was originally created for a collaboration last year on my friend Brasel the Gamers channel. I decided to re-write the script, re-tweak the video, have Jared Waldo come back and narrate it, and re-render in 4k. So it looks and sounds a lot better than it did previously. I also figured it would make a good trial run for my upcoming, much bigger video on The Guardian Legend. And for people who arent familiar with the game, a good primer of what to expect.
At the 2:20 mark, the 1cc run officially begins. I do my usual commentary, but I wanted to present this run in a special way, while still maintaining the emphasis on the game footage and not detracting too much from it. I experimented with a lot of ideas in my previous Legendary Wings video, to mixed results and reception. So this time I wanted to still give a top notch presentation, but with the footage front and center at all times.
As for the actual presentation, I animated every boss in the game, in 4k (and it took forever, many sprites I had to rip myself). And presented them to the side of the screen as they pop up in the game. So you get a nice clear view of the bosses while I am fighting them. The Guardian Legend has a TON of sprite flicker when you are fighting the bosses, so I figured that presenting them on the side, in crystal clear 4k would let people see them like theyve never been seen before.
One last note, The Guardian Legend is unique in that it is a hybrid game that can be played two different ways. You can play through the entire game proper, which is a combination of an over world map which you traverse and explore, with RPG elements and SHMUP dungeons, or you can play the game in pure SHMUP mode. In order to unlock SHMUP mode you must first complete the game proper where you will receive the password TGL. Input this password at the beginning of the game and you can play all 23 SHMUP levels in sequential order and the game becomes a pure shooter. Pretty neat stuff!
I hope everyone enjoys the video and as always, feedback and suggestions for future videos are always welcomed!
*All SHMUP Master footage was captured on an original NES Model 2 console (modded for RGB Output) through a Framemeister using RGB at 60fps.
*An Extreme Cap U3 lossless capture card was used to capture this run in 1080p. It was then upscaled to 4k for the clearest possible picture quality on original hardware.")
