History AwesomeMusic / Gradius

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQmOmd5_w7A&list=PL1BDE32E133200295 King of Kings]] from '''Gradius III''. Never has a song made the UsefulNotes/{{SNES}}' sound chips sound so heroic.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-14ja5Ar6Js "Tears Began Gushing"]], the bonus stage music from ''Gradius 2'' on MSX. It always sounds like you flew to heaven or something, especially considering that most of the time, the entrances to these bonus rounds are welcome escapes from some very difficult levels.

** The main boss theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgJXiqF1S8k Fighter's Blood]], makes you feel pumped to battle the stage boss thanks to its upbeat tone.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLc1msji0_w Burning Heat]], the Stage 1 theme from ''Gradius II'', is pretty much the "[[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Bloody Tears]]" of ''Gradius'', since everyone identifies it with the series. Newer-generation players, however, learned of the series' existence through [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJwzE-W9-cA Burning Heat! (Full Option Mix)]] from beatmania IIDX 7th Style and DDR 7th Mix (as a shorter, "3 Option Mix" version).
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNP1BOH0P18 Maximum Speed]] also from ''Gradius II''. It plays in the high speed level, and it's very fitting for a level that goes very fast.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-14ja5Ar6Js "Tears Began Gushing"]], the bonus stage music from ''Gradius 2'' on MSX. It always sounds like you flew to heaven or something, especially considering that most of the time, the entrances to these bonus rounds are welcome escapes from some very difficult levels.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6wZld4JHa4_I Maximum Speed (Fate...)]] from ''Gradius Gaiden.'' It starts out awesome, then gets more awesome as it picks up speed. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWClb7H2kv0 The final boss music]] from the same game is even more awesome. It starts out with warning sirens in a dark, depressing, and somehow scary and intimidating background. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHWAErFDMZg all of this while he's LAUGHING AT YOU]].
* From ''Gradius V'': [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKsOFkmrUdw Impregnable Fortress]], the rave-like music to the second part of Stage 7.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNP1BOH0P18 Maximum Speed]] from ''Gradius II''. It plays in the high speed level, and it's very fitting for a level that goes very fast.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikj4k9XQQig Fire Tripper]]. Fun fact: The ''Salamander 2'' soundtracks are partially composed by Naoki Maeda, who would go on to become a major producer of ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' songs.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVhRD--xyeY Tetran & Death MK-III]] from ''Gradius V'': The old ''Salamander'' boss music on steroids.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx3vqy9_uSE Intermezzo.]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJjVFMLw_LM Meteor]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THEYfku15Ec Something Green]] from ''V''. And [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCDS-T2E_Lg Universe]] is one hell of a way to start off the game.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hsi6Fdp_xQ Sky 2,]] which is somewhat of a {{Leitmotif}} of Gradius Gaiden, having [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6wZld4JHa4 a heroic remix that plays in the some parts of the last stage's theme,]] and a DarkReprise as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajSlrQvvSJc the game over music,]] which is undeniably [[TearJerker one of the darkest themes in the Gradius series.]]

* While the Pachinko machines are quite... controversial, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za5TJzB6wRY this piece]] from the ''Gradius Pachinko slots'' is easily fitting for a rave party.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD1vtFOmyWg Sensation]], from ''Salamander 2'' Stage 2, also featured in ''Keyboardmania 3rd Mix''.
** Also from ''Salamander 2'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikj4k9XQQig Fire Tripper]]. Fun fact: The ''Salamander 2'' soundtracks are partially composed by Naoki Maeda, who would go on to become a major producer of ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' songs.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le0Y4JsCEd8 Silvery Wings Again]] also deserves a mention, also includes a shout out to "Departure From Space" from ''Gradius III''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6yo5u2RcZ8 Snowfield]], from ''Gradius Gaiden'' Stage 1.

* The immortal ''Aircraft Carrier'' aka Boss Rush theme, especially its mix from ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDbGrpBZ2WM V]]''.
** ''IV'''s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02waIU1QlsU jazzy rendition.]]

** The main boss theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgJXiqF1S8k Fighter's Blood]], deserves a mention too, thanks to its upbeat tone, making you feel pumped to battle the stage boss.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLc1msji0_w Burning Heat]], the Stage 1 theme from ''Gradius II'', is pretty much the "[[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Bloody Tears]]" of ''Gradius'', since everyone identifies it with the series.
* Newer-generation players, however, learned of the series' existence through [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJwzE-W9-cA Burning Heat! (Full Option Mix)]] from beatmania IIDX 7th Style and DDR 7th Mix (as a shorter, "3 Option Mix" version).

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-14ja5Ar6Js "Tears Began Gushing"]], the bonus stage music from Gradius 2 on MSX. It always sounds like you flew to heaven or something, especially considering that most of the time, the entrances to these bonus rounds are welcome escapes from some very difficult levels.

* Almost any fortress theme in the series. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAb_wlZX1bc#t=3m49s "Cosmic Heroes"]] (Nemesis 3 MSX), [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDl6NI7miGA "Into Hostile Ship"]](Gradius II AC), [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r6YzGucb7Q "Mechanical Base"]] of Gradius III are all great examples.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgPwhLPHfKg "Battleship" from Gradius V]]. It starts with the first few notes of the first stage theme from Gradius I, then kicks off into a high speed techno beat as you blast away enemy ships. The awesomeness level is taken UpToEleven when it is [[MickeyMousing Mickey Moused]] into [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AMDbrNHbq4 the opening]].
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6wZld4JHa4_I Maximum Speed (Fate...)]] from ''Gradius Gaiden.'' It starts out awesome, then gets more awesome as it picks up speed.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWClb7H2kv0 The final boss music]] from the same game is even more awesome. It starts out with warning sirens in a dark, depressing, and somehow scary and intimidating background. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHWAErFDMZg all of this while he's LAUGHING AT YOU]].

*** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le0Y4JsCEd8 Silvery Wings Again]] also deserves a mention, also includes a shout out to "Departure From Space" from ''Gradius III''.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5PmTtSs4Xo Something Ghostly]], a sinister sounding track, also from the Famicom version of ''Gradius II''. It really fits for the final stage of the game. It was even used [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvwp1Ld2EjQ again]] in ''Gradius Rebirth''
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJjVFMLw_LM Meteor]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THEYfku15Ec Something Green]] from ''V''.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCDS-T2E_Lg Universe]] is one hell of a way to start off the game.

** From Nemesis II: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT37Y4KAEok A Journey]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNxS5rVDLOo To The Start*]], [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHQlrCAHkyc A Dream]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dq51sqmap0 of a Dreamer]]
** Also from Nemesis II: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMRWRBoxsnM Killer Corst Land]]
** From Nemesis III: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0dyVl1oMqc Position Light*]], [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDJq8bRjl9E Cosmic Heroes]]
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmPtHyErtHc Historic Soldier]], the music of the beginning animation of Nemesis I
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6isS1Bq1DVA The rocking intro music]] from PC Engine version of ''Gradius 2: Gofer no Yabou''

* "Pursuit", from the Game Boy Gradius II.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sNRvNnT188 High Speed Dimension]] from the SNES version of ''Gradius III''. Just like the stage, it starts out deceptively slow, then it Immediately kicks it to high gear, [[ThatOneLevel just like the stage]].

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtHWqdJmhig Try to Star]] from the Arcade version of Gradius III, which is sadly absent in the SNES version. [[SerialEscalation Even more awesome still]] is [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4Q3prNNr4Q the S.S.H. remix.]]
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LZVQfjO3i8 This almost accurate SNES rendition of Try To Star, making you think this what should have been sound like if it did exist on SNES.]]

** Newer-generation players, however, learned of the series' existence through [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJwzE-W9-cA Burning Heat! (Full Option Mix)]] from beatmania IIDX 7th Style and DDR 7th Mix (as a shorter, "3 Option Mix" version).
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DFr_uznus4 Challenger 1985]] is the most iconic song in the entire series. The video in question showcased all the variations from different ports (the NES version isn't as great, but it's still brilliant). The last two are even remixes!

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khYnYSY-g4k Mechanical Globule]] from the first game is possibly the most underrated track in the entire series.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DFr_uznus4 Challenger 1985]], enough said. The video in question showcased all the variations from different ports (the NES version isn't as great, but it's still brilliant). The last two are even remixes!

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLc1msji0_w Burning Heat]], the Stage 1 theme from ''Gradius II'', is pretty much the "[[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Bloody Tears]]" of ''Gradius'', since everyone identifies it with the series.
** Newer-generation players, however, learned of the series' existence through [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJwzE-W9-cA Burning Heat! (Full Option Mix)]] from beatmania IIDX 7th Style and DDR 7th Mix (as a shorter, "3 Option Mix" version).

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jswtRs-u-h8 Gradius]]. One of the best soundtracks to any arcade game. The NES port music isn't as great but it's still brilliant.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gByKfdxqyMM "Dead End Cell"]] from ''Gradius III'' is a very catchy tune. Despite being played during the game's [[WombLevel 6th level,]] it sounds like it's [[NightmareRetardant more fitting for a day at the beach.]]

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gByKfdxqyMM "Dead End Cell"]] from ''Gradius III'' is a very catchy tune. Despite being played during the game's [[WombLevel 6th level,]] it sounds like it's [[MusicalDissonance more fitting for a day at the beach.]]

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gByKfdxqyMM "Dead End Cell"]] from ''Gradius III'' is a very catchy tune. Despite being played during the game's [[WombLevel 6th level,]] it sounds like it's more fitting for a day at the beach.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tOdJTlYJ8M The second-to-last stage music]] from the [[NoExportForYou Famicom]] version of ''Gradius II''.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gByKfdxqyMM "Dead End Cell"]] from "Gradius III" is a very catchy tune. Despite it being played during the game's [[WombLevel 6th level,]] it sounds like it's more fitting for a day at the beach.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLc1msji0_w Burning Heat]], the Stage 1 theme from ''Gradius II'', is pretty much the "[[{{Castlevania}} Bloody Tears]]" of ''Gradius'', since everyone identifies it with the series.

*** Speaking of DDR, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJwzE-W9-cA Burning Heat! (Full Option Mix)]] is a remix of ''Gradius II'' Stage 1's music first appearing in Beatmania IIDX 7th Style and DDR 7th Mix (as a shorter, "3 Option Mix" version).

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-14ja5Ar6Js "Tears Began Gushing"]], the bonus stage music from Gradius 2 on MSX. It always sounds like you flew to heaven or something, especially considering that most of the time, the entrances to these bonus rounds are welcome escapes from some very difficult levels.
* Almost any fortress theme in the series. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAb_wlZX1bc#t=3m49s "Cosmic Heroes"]] (Nemesis 3 MSX), [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDl6NI7miGA "Into Hostile Ship"]](Gradius II AC), [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r6YzGucb7Q "Mechanical Base"]] of Gradius III are all great examples.

** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWClb7H2kv0&feature=related The final boss music]] from the same game is even more awesome. It starts out with warning sirens in a dark, depressing, and somehow scary and intimidating background. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHWAErFDMZg&annotation_id=annotation_882814&feature=iv all of this while he's LAUGHING AT YOU]].
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jswtRs-u-h8 Gradius]]. One of the best soundtracks to any arcade game.The NES port music isn't as great but it's still brilliant.
* From ''Gradius V'': [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKsOFkmrUdw&fmt=18 Impregnable Fortress]], the rave-like music to the second part of Stage 7.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD1vtFOmyWg&fmt=18 Sensation]], from ''Salamander 2'' Stage 2, also featured in ''Keyboardmania 3rd Mix''.
** Also from ''Salamander 2'', [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikj4k9XQQig&fmt=18 Fire Tripper]], which to the dismay of this troper isn't used in the game. Fun fact: The ''Salamander 2'' soundtracks are partially composed by Naoki Maeda, who would go on to become a major producer of ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' songs.
*** Speaking of DDR, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJwzE-W9-cA&fmt=18 Burning Heat! (Full Option Mix)]] is a remix of ''Gradius II'' Stage 1's music first appearing in Beatmania IIDX 7th Style and DDR 7th Mix (as a shorter, "3 Option Mix" version).
*** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le0Y4JsCEd8 Silvery Wings Again]] also deserves a mention, also includes a shout out to "Departure From Space" from ''Gradius III''
* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6yo5u2RcZ8&fmt=18 Snowfield]], from ''Gradius Gaiden'' Stage 1.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx3vqy9_uSE Intermezzo]]

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJjVFMLw_LM&feature=related Meteor]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THEYfku15Ec Something Green]] from ''V''

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sNRvNnT188&feature=related High Speed Dimension]] from the SNES version of ''Gradius III''. Just like the stage, it starts out deceptively slow, then it Immediately kicks it to high gear, [[ThatOneLevel just like the stage]].
* What? We got this far without mentioning the immortal ''Aircraft Carrier'' aka Boss Rush theme? Especially its mix from ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDbGrpBZ2WM V]]''.
** ''IV'''s jazzy rendition [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02waIU1QlsU deserves mention]]
* I can't believe no one has done what is essentially the most epic stage theme in Gradius, ever. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13QbsBcX9xA The original Moonspin.]] The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oZBPmmCBZI re]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HtIjYeC7j0 ma]][[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDa3IHZcOuU kes]] are kinda epic too.
* Pity that only one has mentioned the music from Nemesis yet. Here are some of the most kickass, with/as Rebirth remake (*original available):
** From Nemesis II: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT37Y4KAEok A Journey]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNxS5rVDLOo&feature=related To The Start*]], [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHQlrCAHkyc A Dream]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dq51sqmap0 of a Dreamer]]

* "Pursuit", from the Game Boy Gradius II

The bulk of Gradius's most crowning songs accurately convey some sort of cosmic wonder. Talk about what you consider Crowning Music in Gradius here.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-14ja5Ar6Js "Tears Began Gushing"]], the bonus stage music from Gradius 2 on MSX. It always sounds like you flew to heaven or something, especially considering that most of the time, the entrances to these bonus rounds are welcome escapes from some very difficult levels.

** Also from ''Salamander 2'', [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikj4k9XQQig&fmt=18 Fire Tripper]], which to the dismay of this troper isn't used in the game. Fun fact: The ''Salamander 2'' soundtracks are partially composed by Naoki Maeda, who would go on to become a major producer of ''DanceDanceRevolution'' songs.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtHWqdJmhig Try to Star]] from the Arcade version of Gradius III, which is sadly absent in the SNES version. [[BeyondTheImpossible Even more awesome still]] is [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4Q3prNNr4Q the S.S.H. remix.]]