Gradius II

Gradius II on the Sharp X68000 is what's known as a dream conversion: an arcade hit from the late eighties arrived on the home computer in a form so close to the original that the differences are hard to find. Vic Viper once again faces the Bacterion Empire, but this time with a significantly expanded upgrade system, since the player now chooses from several preset gauge configurations before starting. One relies on classic missiles and laser, another on shots in all directions, another on mines or a split beam, and each choice changes the pace of the game and how you can handle specific sections. In addition, new stages were added, featuring fiery eruptions, ice crystals and the famous gallery of bosses from previous entries.

Technically, this is one of the most highly rated conversions on the platform. The computer handles an enormous number of moving objects, elaborate multi-layered backgrounds and effects that were unthinkable on the consoles of the time, all while maintaining the smoothness the genre depends on. The music ranks among the best Konami produced during the FM synthesis era, and the X68000 with its Yamaha chip suits it exceptionally well; the tracks accompanying each stage carry an epic charge and give the game the feeling of a great space campaign. Digitized voice clips and explosions round out the impression.

At the time, this version served as a trump card for the Japanese computer scene and as a reason fans of shoot-'em-ups bought the machine even years after its release. Gradius II's influence on the genre is visible mainly in how it handles weapon selection and difficulty escalation, with each stage introducing a new threat and forcing the player to change approach. Today, despite its age, the game remains excellently playable, clear and fair, if merciless; whoever manages the first playthrough usually comes back for a better score. It's one of the titles that make it worth trying X68000 emulation even for someone who has never heard of the platform.