Gradius II - GOFER no Yabou (c) 1988 Konami.
The third game in Konami's renowned 'Gradius' series; the prequel being 'Gradius' (known as 'Nemesis' in Europe) and a spinoff called 'Salamander' (also known as 'Life Force'). Gradius II strictly adheres to the shoot-em-up template set out by its hugely successful predecessor, the game eschews the sideways/vertical scrolling alternate levels of 'Salamander' and opts instead for 'Gradius' sideways scrolling-only mechanic. This game is rightly considered to be one of the most demanding and difficult shoot-em-ups ever released.

>>> TECHNICAL DETAILS
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Game ID : GX785
Main CPU : (2x) 68000 (@ 10 Mhz)
Sound CPU : Z80 (@ 3.579545 Mhz)
Sound Chips : YM2151 (@ 3.57958 Mhz), K007232 (@ 3.579545 Mhz), UPD7759 (@ 640 Khz)
Screen orientation : Horizontal
Video resolution : 320 x 224 pixels
Screen refresh : 60.00 Hz
Palette colors : 1024
Players : 2
Control : 8-way joystick
Buttons : 3

>>> TRIVIA
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Released in March 1988.
The title of this game translates from Japanese as 'Gradius II - GOFER's Ambition'.
This game is known outside Japan as 'Vulcan Venture'.
A three-part Ova anime based on the Gradius series was released in Japan within a year after the release of Gradius II. It follows the adventures of Dan, Stephanie, and Eddie - Three ace pilots who hope to save their planet from the forces of the Bacterion empire. Later on in the series, they are joined by Lord British, the Prince of Latis.
Apollon Music released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (Space Odyssey, Gradius II - Gofer no yabou - BY30-5202) on 21/07/1988.

>>> GAME UPDATES
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The main differences between Vulcan Venture and Gradius II are :
* Continue available in Vulcan Venture.
* Different title screen.
* Option is called Multiple in Vulcan Venture.
* Ripple Laser is called Pulse Laser in Vulcan Venture.

>>> GAME SERIES
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1. Gradius (1985)
2. Salamander (1986)
3. Gradius 2 (1987, MSX)
4. Gradius II - Gofer no Yabou (1988)
5. Nemesis 3 - The Eve of Destruction (1988, MSX)
6. Gradius III - Densetsu Kara Shinwa-e (1989)
7. Nemesis '90 Kai (1993, Sharp X68000)
8. Salamander 2 (1996)
9. Solar Assault - Gradius (1997)
10. Solar Assault - Revised (1997)
11. Gradius Gaiden (1997, Sony PlayStation)
12. Gradius IV - Fukkatsu (1999)
13. Gradius Generation (2001, Nintendo Game Boy Advance)
14. Gradius V (2004, Sony PlayStation 2)
15. Gradius Neo (2004, NTT DoCoMo i-mode Phones)
16. Gradius Neo Imperial (2005, NTT DoCoMo i-mode Phones)
17. Gradius Wide (2007, NTT DoCoMo i-mode Phones)
18. Gradius Rebirth (2008, Nintendo Wii)

>>> DESIGNERS / PROGRAMMERS / STAFF
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Game programmers : Toshiaki Takatori, K. Tsutsui, T. Horimoto, A. Suzuki, Takehiko Fujii
Graphic designers : Miki Yoshikata, H. Ashida, Michiko Iwamoto, A. Nonami, Kuniaki Kakuwa
Sound editors : S. Tasaka, Motoaki Furukawa, K. Matsubara, S. Hukami
Engineer : K. Hashima
Title designers : F. Shinuya, J. Tanaka

>>> GAME PORTS TO OTHER SYSTEMS
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* Consoles :
Nintendo Famicom (1988)
Nintendo Game Boy (1991)
NEC PC-Engine Super CD-ROM2 (1992)
Sega Saturn (1996, 'Gradius Deluxe Pack')
Sony PlayStation (1996, 'Gradius Deluxe Pack')
Sony PSP (2006, 'Gradius Collection')
* Computers :
Sharp X68000 (1992)
PC [MS Windows] ('Gradius Deluxe Pack')

>>> OTHER GAME RESOURCES
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Game's rom.