Gradius: The Interstellar Assault

Gradius: The Interstellar Assault
Also known as: Nemesis II (JP), Nemesis II: The Return of the Hero (EU) Developer: Konami Publisher: Konami Platform: Game Boy Released in JP: August 9, 1991 Released in US: January 1992 Released in EU: 1992 This game has unused code. This game has unused text. This game has regional differences.

This page is rather stubbly and could use some expansion. Are you a bad enough dude to rescue this article?

To do: Grab screenshots comparing differences between the Japanese and USA/European release (e.g. the score display), as well as the Konami GB Collection rereleases.

Unused Demo Screen

Enter one of the below Game Genie codes (depending on region) to access an unused demo screen (likely used in a prototype build of the game) after the Konami logo:

US/Europe	Japan
CDE‑7DF‑E65 00E‑84F‑E69	CDE‑45F‑E65 00E‑4CF‑E69

Note that the title screen may need to be accessed first in order to load the game's font.

(Source: cah4e3)

Version Differences

The Konami GB Collection version has Super Game Boy support in Japan, and Game Boy Color support in Europe. Both releases change Nemesis to Gradius in the game's name. The European subtitle is retained for the European rerelease.

Regional Differences

Title Screen

Japan, Game Boy	USA, Game Boy	Europe, Game Boy	Konami GB Collection Vol. 3 (JP, Super Game Boy)	Konami GB Collection Vol. 4 (EU, Game Boy Color)

The USA release is the only initial release to feature the Gradius branding, while the European title keeps the Japanese title but adds the subtitle "The Return of the Hero".

Score Display

Japan	US/Europe	GBC

Much like the first game, the original Japanese version only displays the player score on the Player Out/Ship Lost or Game Over screens, while the international releases condense and move the options bar to the left to make room for the score during gameplay.

However, the Konami GB Collection rereleases (Vol. 3 for Japan and Vol. 4 for Europe) are based on the Japanese versions of the included games, so unfortunately this change is reverted there as with the previous game.

Player Out/Ship Lost

Japan	US/Europe	GBC

The screen that shows after a player loses a ship has been changed from "PLAYER OUT" to "SHIP LOST" in the international versions, just like with the previous game. HISCORE was also changed to TOP SCORE, and the zeroes had their slashes removed. All of these changes were also reverted for the Konami GB Collection rerelease.