![]() ![]() ![]() MSX Main article: Salamander (MSX) PC EngineĪ version for the PC Engine was released on December 12, 1991. These ports make use of the Konami Code, which in this instance increases the number of lives from three to 30. The game was practically identical to the Famicom port of Salamander, other than featuring an abbreviated version of the Gradius powerup bar (blocks would appear blank but when highlighted, a box would read what they were), not having the multiple endings and being titled Life Force. The same year, North America received a port as well for the Nintendo Entertainment System. In addition, this version (and most subsequent ones) made use of the traditional Gradius power-up bar and capsules. Most of the level graphics and enemy sprites from Salamander, however, are used in favor of those used in Life Force. Instead of being a direct port of Salamander, elements were taken from both that and Life Force, and some elements, such as levels and bosses, were removed to make way for new content. Salamander was ported to the Nintendo Famicom in Japan in 1987. The power-up gauge is arranged differently for both players as well.īoth the original Japanese version and the enhanced Life Force release are included in the compilation Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus for the PlayStation and Saturn, as well as in Salamander Portable for the PlayStation Portable. Some music tracks have been completely changed for this release. The power-up system was also modified, with the Japanese Life Force using the same power-up gauge as the original Gradius. All of the backgrounds and mechanical enemies are completely redrawn and given organic appearances. Konami later released an enhanced version of Salamander in Japan bearing the American title of Life Force which further fleshes out the organic motif. The power-ups are also given different names, with the "Speed-Up" becoming "Hyper Speed", the "Missile" becoming the "Destruct Missile", the "Ripple Laser" becoming the "Pulse Laser", and the "Force Field" becoming the "Shield". Stages that featured star field backgrounds had them changed with the web background from Stage 1 to maintain consistency with the organic setting of the plot. The Japanese and European versions are nearly identical, but the American version changes the game's plot by adding an opening text that establishes the game to be set inside a giant alien life-form which is infected by a strain of bacteria. The arcade version of the game was released under its original title, Salamander, in Japan (version J) and Europe (version D), and as Life Force in North America. The player gains power-ups by picking up weapon-shaped capsules left behind by certain enemies, as opposed to the selection bar used in other Gradius titles. The buy-in feature is available in single-player mode, and the continuation feature is only available in dual-player mode but they will both cease to be available once the final stage is reached. Players can immediately restart back into the action instead of being pushed back to a predefined checkpoint per Gradius tradition. The game features six stages which alter between horizontal and vertical scrolling. The first player controls Vic Viper and the second player takes the reins of debuting spacecraft Lord British. Super Space-Time Fighter Vic Viper, launch!! Extending their support, they fly to the Salamander Army's mother star. The Gradius Army receives British's distress call. The prince of Latis threw himself at battle with the Space-Time Fighter Lord British, named after himself, and requested help from the planet Gradius, which was said to have faced and defeated the cluster's forces before. The Latis Army, however, didn't have any way of fighting against Salamander. Here in planet Latis, the Bacterion cluster continues to spread, beginning its invasion with the Salamander Army. There, a prophecy of fire has been passed down since a long time ago: Thousands of light years away, when a giant dragon born and living in a sea of flames wakes up, a crazy force will approach, swallowing heaven and earth in the darkness and eventually breaking the light. Latis was a planet covered by water with a beautiful sparkle. ![]()
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