Pilot the Vic Viper through waves of alien enemies in this legendary side-scrolling shooter. Collect power-up capsules to upgrade your ship with missiles, lasers, options, and shields as you battle through increasingly intense stages. Originally developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) during the 8-bit era of the mid-1980s, Gradius remains a standout title in the NES library. The game features intense combat sequences and waves of enemies to overcome, making it a memorable entry in the action / shooter genres.
How to Play Gradius
Click Play Now to launch Gradius directly in your browser — no downloads or plugins needed. Use the Arrow Keys to move, Z for the A button, X for B, and Enter to start. You can also connect a USB or Bluetooth gamepad for a more authentic feel.
The NES library spans hundreds of titles that shaped modern gaming conventions. From scrolling shooters to JRPGs, the system proved the versatility of console gaming.
Save states let you save your progress at any point. Create a free account to sync saves across devices. Press F11 for fullscreen mode.
Playing Gradius is easy: press "Play Now" above and the game starts right in your browser window. Our emulator handles everything — no extra software needed.
Is Gradius free to play?
Gradius is free to play here on RetroVault.GG. We believe classic games should be accessible to everyone, so there's no cost to jump in.
What console is Gradius for?
Gradius was originally released for the NES. On RetroVault.GG, you can play it online in your browser without needing the original console.
What genre is Gradius?
Gradius is a action, shooter game. It was made for the NES.
Can I play Gradius on my phone?
You can play Gradius on any mobile device with a modern browser. The game adapts to your screen size with on-screen touch controls.