What's the relation between Salamander and Gradius?

[Erik_Twice]

All I know is that they are very similar games and that the Ripple laser in Gradius II was strenghtened because it was never used in Salamander.

Educate me!

[ExedExes]

Salamander is simply a spin-off of the main Gradius series. The P1 ship is still the Vic Viper.

[BoneSnapDeez]

THEN WHO WAS NEMESIS?

[pierrot]

I like to think of Salamander as the sequel to the original Gradius. In the intro scenes for Gradius II and III, they show scenes from Salamander after the scene from OG Gradius.

It's generally considered a spinoff to Gradius, though. (Even though the mother brain is the first stage boss.)

Also, I don't remember there being any laser other than the Ripple Laser in Salamander, unless the Lord British had the standard laser.

[fastbilly1]

It just has the most badass looking famicom cart in existence:

Image per o.pwuaioc who thinks similarly.

[Xeogred]

From what I've seen some of the Salamander games have overhead stages? I don't think Gradius ever does.

One noteworthy style difference is that Salamander seems a lot heavier on the weird, fleshy organic stages than Gradius, which is usually more mechanical and sci-fi.

[pierrot]

From what I've seen some of the Salamander games have overhead stages? I don't think Gradius ever does.

One noteworthy style difference is that Salamander seems a lot heavier on the weird, fleshy organic stages than Gradius, which is usually more mechanical and sci-fi.

It does alternate between horizontal and vertical stages. The Innerspace theme is really limited to the first stage, though. After that, it's the usual asteroid belts, fiery corridors and space ship stuff.

[ExedExes]

THEN WHO WAS NEMESIS?

Nemesis was just the name used for the Gradius arcade game outside Japan. In all territories, it was also the first GB game in the series which borrowed elements from the MSX ports of Gradius and Gradius II. However, Nemesis II was released as Gradius Interstellar Assault in the US.

Also, I don't remember there being any laser other than the Ripple Laser in Salamander, unless the Lord British had the standard laser.

Both the standard and ripple laser are in the arcade and NES ports. The arcade port of Life Force calls the ripple the "Pulse" laser.

[d123456]

It just has the most badass looking famicom cart in existence:

Image per o.pwuaioc who thinks similarly.

Wow, that might just be the most badass looking cart in existence, I want it.

[Erik_Twice]

Thanks for all the info guys

Do you have any particular recommendations in this series?