Not only can players choose between pre-defined weapon schemes, but they can mix and match missile, double, laser, shield and "special" ("!") power-ups into their own custom combination. The biggest addition to the game is the introduction of the "Edit Mode", which is a logical progression on the weapons system from Gradius II. The Asian arcade release lacks the beginner mode and retrospective introduction sequence, but reduces the difficulty overall. At the end of the third level, the game ends immediately and bids the player to try the game again at the normal difficulty. (The arcade version did not provide a way to continue the game upon losing all lives, and did not even include an operator-selectable "allow continue" option.) The Japanese version of the game contains a 'beginner mode' that allows the player to venture through the first three levels at a much easier difficulty. The game is known by fans as being considerably more difficult than its predecessors, so much so that it prompted Konami to pull it from arcades rather quickly. The game contains the familiar weapons, level layouts, and enemies that have become trademarks of the series. There are also two hidden levels that are based on the early sections of Gradius and Salamander. Though the level is completely devoid of any enemies, free floating power-ups are scattered throughout. In this mini-level, the player controls the Vic Viper in a third-person (behind the ship) perspective and must avoid colliding with walls. Stage 4 is notorious for being the first and only pseudo-3D level to ever appear in the Gradius series. There are a total of ten levels in the game. The Fighters take off for the heart of darkness to join the fray that will decide the fate of the Universe. In a last gasp move, the United Gradius World Forces send out two fighters, previously considered too dangerous for combat missions: The InterDimensional VIC VIPER fighters. But they are badly outnumbered and The Dark Forces easily tear through their thin frontline. Half of them form a defensive net - the other half a strike team. To counter the oncoming threat the United Gradius World Forces gather all their fighter craft. Now Bacterian's evil grasp reaches for the heart of the anet Gradius itself. Their invasion force smashes the Gradius defenses, and the surrounding planets soon fall like dominoes. Possessing unstoppable power, the Dark Forces threaten to plunge the Universe into total war and complete annihilation. The Dark Forces led by the god of destruction, Bacterian, prepare to launch a massive onslaught against the planet Gradius. In the darkest reaches of infinite space, pure evil lies in wait.
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