Overview
What if Gradius were ridiculous? Parodius answered that question with playable penguins, boss battles against giant showgirls, and power-ups delivered via bells from TwinBee. Konami parodied themselves, creating shooters that played as tightly as their serious counterparts while replacing sci-fi with surreal comedy.
Fast facts
- Developer: Konami.
- Concept: Gradius parody.
- Name origin: “Parody” + “Gradius.”
- Tone: Absurdist Japanese humour.
Playable characters
| Character | Source |
|---|
| Vic Viper | Gradius |
| TwinBee | TwinBee series |
| Pentaro | Penguin mascot |
| Takosuke | Octopus |
Power-up system
| Method | Source |
|---|
| Power bar | Gradius style |
| Bells | TwinBee system |
| Roulette | Random selection |
Absurdist elements
| Boss | Absurdity |
|---|
| Las Vegas dancer | Giant showgirl |
| Sumo pig | Wrestling porcine |
| Eagle | American iconography |
| Moai | Easter Island heads |
Stage themes
| Level | Setting |
|---|
| Candy land | Sweets and treats |
| Japanese bath | Sento parody |
| Circus | Big top chaos |
| Gradius references | Series callbacks |
Series evolution
| Title | Year |
|---|
| Parodius | 1988 |
| Parodius Da! | 1990 |
| Gokujō Parodius | 1994 |
| Sexy Parodius | 1996 |
Gameplay quality
| Aspect | Standard |
|---|
| Controls | Gradius-tight |
| Challenge | Legitimate difficulty |
| Polish | Full Konami quality |
| Humour | Never compromises play |
Cultural context
| Element | Japanese humour |
|---|
| Self-parody | Konami mocking themselves |
| Pop culture | References throughout |
| Absurdism | Random comedy |
| Cute overload | Kawaii aesthetic |
See also