Parodius is the PS1 version of the Parodius Pack compilation featuring Konami's parody shoot-em-ups. Space, penguins, giant octopuses and unhinged humor in baroque levels. A deranged celebration of the shmup genre, unique and irresistible for Konami Parodius series fans.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter2 players7+
Description
European edition of the parody shoot them up by Konami, twisting Gradius into a comic universe of octopuses, penguins and improbable icons. Created by Konami, released in 1996 in Europe under the Parodius title. Over eight wacky horizontally-scrolling levels, over six playable comic ships including Octopus and Penguin, simultaneous two-player cooperative mode and arranged classical music soundtrack. European edition under the Parodius title.
Parodius review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Punishing"
A burlesque send-up of Gradius, this horizontal shooter mixes penguins, octopuses and delirious bosses with a difficulty that is no joke at all. Grabbing the right power-ups, keeping your options alive and reading often-cluttered screens call for rigor. Genial on the surface, formidable in practice, it delights anyone who loves a challenge wrapped in offbeat humor.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
PAL edition of Konami's Parodius compilation, the Gradius team's zany shmup parody packed with penguins, giant octopuses and baroque stages. Cult standing among shooter and series fans gives it lasting demand beyond mere scarcity. Loose copies stay accessible; complete and sealed PAL stock are the pieces European Konami fans chase.
Is Parodius still worth playing in 2026?
A compilation of Konami's parody shoot them ups, Parodius mischievously subverts the Gradius formula in a zany world of penguins, pin-ups and absurd bosses, over a soundtrack of revisited classics. The snappy gameplay, the wacky bestiary and the familiar power-up system make for a shmup as demanding as it is hilarious. The high difficulty stays faithful to the original cabinets. A colourful treat for fans of horizontal shooting and of Konami's offbeat humour.
