Konami's Game Boy Gradius. Vic Viper, options, classic capsule power-ups, horizontal levels flowing nicely on the system. Shorter than arcade Gradius but the spirit is there, and the bosses are well thought-out. Excellent portable shooter, one of the best on Game Boy. For Konami fans without hesitation.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter1 player7+
Description
Nemesis Game Boy sequel with new levels and greater challenges for the Vic Viper across space. Published by Konami, released in 1992 in Japan. Enriched and varied levels, refined capsule system, new enemy configurations, and more imposing bosses.
First Japanese edition of the second portable Gradius, released under the Nemesis II label that sits apart from the later international identity. Konami rigid case with a Japanese obi marked Nemesis II is harder to track down complete than the 1992 PAL counterpart. A piece spotted by Gradius enthusiasts after the original version before adaptation and by Konami JP shmup hunters who want untouched period packaging.
An underrated gem
Cramming all of Gradius's intensity into a Game Boy was a tall order, and the Vic Viper pulls it off with flair: capsule power-ups, varied stages and imposing bosses despite the tiny screen. Lost among the console's late releases, this horizontal shooter kept a low profile. A technical treat for fans of scrolling and pixel-perfect piloting.
Is Nemesis II still worth playing in 2026?
Konami's portable Gradius keeps the series' grammar intact, with Vic Viper, options and power-up capsules, in horizontal scrolling that runs surprisingly smoothly on the hardware. Shorter than an arcade Gradius, it compensates with carefully designed bosses and dense stage layouts that invite multiple runs. Readability remains decent despite the monochrome screen, and the soundtrack pulls its weight on the Game Boy's channels. For horizontal shooter fans and Konami devotees, it stands as one of the machine's shmup benchmarks, still very playable today.
