Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou

Gradius II
Japanese arcade flyer
Developer(s)	Konami
Publisher(s)	Konami WW: Hudson Soft
Director(s)	Arcade version Hiroyasu Machiguchi Famicom version Shigeharu Umezaki
Programmer(s)	Arcade version Toshiaki Takatori PC Engine version Koji Igarashi
Composer(s)	Arcade version Shinji Tasaka Motoaki Furukawa Kenichi Matsubara Seiichi Fukami Famicom version Hidenori Maezawa Yukie Morimoto
Series	Gradius
Platform(s)	Arcade Family Computer, Microsoft Windows, PC Engine, X68000, mobile phone, Wii (Virtual Console), PlayStation, PlayStation Network (Arcade version, for PS3 and PSP)
Release	March 24, 1988 Arcade JP: March 24, 1988 EU: 1988 Family Computer JP: December 16, 1988 X68000 JP: February 7, 1992 PC Engine Super CD-ROM² JP: December 4, 1992 Sega Saturn & PlayStation JP: March 29, 1996 Microsoft Windows JP: February 21, 1997 Mobile Phone i-mode JP: February 19, 2004 Windows Phone JP: January 19, 2010 PlayStation Portable JP: February 9, 2006 NA: June 6, 2006 EU: September 15, 2006 AU: October 6, 2006 KOR: February 9, 2006 Konami the Best JP: January 25, 2007 PlayStation Store NA: December 10, 2009 EU: June 4, 2014 AU: June 4, 2014 Wii Virtual Console Famicom JP: April 24, 2007 PC Engine JP: November 13, 2007 PAL: May 2, 2008 NA: October 20, 2008 PlayStation Network JP: October 20, 2010 PlayStation 4 JP: April 22, 2016
Genre(s)	Scrolling shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player
Cabinet	Upright
Arcade system	Konami Twin 16
Display	Raster, 320 x 224, horizontal orientation
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Gradius II (also known as Vulcan Venture in arcades outside Japan) is a horizontally-scrolling shooter. Originally released for the arcades in Japan in 1988, it is the sequel to original Gradius and was succeeded by Gradius III. Ports of Gradius II were released for the Family Computer (under the shortened title of Gradius II), PC-Engine Super CD-ROM², and the X68000 in Japan. The original arcade version is also included in the Gradius Deluxe Pack compilation for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn and in Gradius Collection for the PlayStation Portable.

The player returns as the role of the pilot of the Vic Viper spaceship to battle the second onslaughts of the Bacterion Empire, under the new leadership of Gofer, the giant head. Gradius II has kept the gameplay from the original game, but infused it with enhancements brought from the spin-off, Salamander (Life Force). This is primarily evident in two of the weapons configurations that are selectable. Another first in the series was the inclusion of the "boss rush" (also known as "boss parade" or "boss alley"), a level designed entirely with only boss confrontations.

Gradius II retains the selection bar from Gradius, but now the player can choose between four different weapon configurations and progressions. All schemes have speed-up and multiples (Options), but have differing 'Missile', 'Double' (laser), and 'Laser' weapons. The player can have at most four multiples. Additionally, there are also two types of shielding to choose from: shield and forcefield. The shield option adds more durability, but only for the front of the Vic Viper, while the forcefield adds protection for the entire spacecraft, albeit only against three hits. In the Famicom version, choosing another multiple after four will make the four multiples to move around the spacecraft for 15 seconds; force field is the only shielding available for protection of the entire spacecraft, withstanding five hits and it is included in four different weapon configurations and progressions; and 'Double' and 'Laser' have to be activated twice to achieve full performance.