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%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Do not uncomment them without expanding them to explain WHY these tracks are awesome. Identifying when a track plays is not context. Saying a track is awesome with no further explanation is not context. A video link is not context. WHY is it AWESOME?
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The bulk of ''VideoGame/{{Gradius}}''' most crowning songs accurately convey some sort of cosmic wonder and/or a prelude to kicking ass [[VideoGame/ZeroWing for great justice]].
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%%* The very first track in a ''Gradius'' game, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qPZ_rfc3x0 "Introductory Flight"]] (link goes to the NES version).
* ''Gradius II'':
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLc1msji0_w Burning Heat]], the Stage 1 theme, 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]] 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 II'' 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=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=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 [[SoundtrackDissonance more fitting for a day at the beach.]]
* Almost any fortress theme in the series. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAb_wlZX1bc#t=3m49s "Cosmic Heroes"]] (Nemesis 3 MSX), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDl6NI7miGA "Into Hostile Ship"]] (Gradius II AC), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r6YzGucb7Q "Mechanical Base"]] of ''Gradius III'' are all great examples. So is [[https://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 cranked up when it is [[MickeyMousing Mickey Moused]] into [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AMDbrNHbq4 the opening]].
* ''Gradius V'':
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgPwhLPHfKg Battleship]]. Bonus points for an epic orchestral remake of Challenger 1985 as the song's intro.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b6239T2cfs Impregnable Fortress]], the rave-like music to the second part of Stage 7.
** [[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=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.]]
* ''Salamander 2'':
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdzH8PDALso 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]] includes a shout out to "Departure From Space" from ''Gradius III''.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z7-HTPJS_Y Giga's Rage]] is the final boss theme, and it's every bit as powerful as [[ThatOneBoss Doom.]]
%%** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD1vtFOmyWg Sensation]], from Stage 2, also featured in ''Keyboardmania 3rd Mix''.
* ''Gradius Gaiden'':
** From the same game, stage 7's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvo4FJiKA7w "On the Event Horizon"]]. A jazzy techno beat that escalates as [[NostalgiaLevel the very first stage from Gradius]] ''gets sucked into a black hole.''
** [[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 heart-breaking themes in the Gradius series.]]
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=591nYwmesQ4 The]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIBTMsdjwb0 two]] theme songs for the BossBonanza[=/=]BossRush stage make the already intense battle even more thrilling.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6wZld4JHa4_I Maximum Speed (Fate...)]] 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]].
%%** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6yo5u2RcZ8 Snowfield]], from Stage 1.
%%** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOOE8RmKUHw The first two tracks on the last stage:]] "Speed" (0'19"), "Inside Mission" (02'18"); and the final boss theme (06'37").
%%* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tOdJTlYJ8M Overheat]] from the [[NoExportForYou Famicom]] version of ''Gradius II''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5PmTtSs4Xo Something Ghostly]], a sinister sounding track from the Famicom version of ''Gradius II'', really fits the final stage of the game. It was even used [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvwp1Ld2EjQ again]] in ''Gradius Rebirth''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezISQchcvlo Departure From Space]] from the arcade version of ''Gradius III''. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VavAH1UOE4 SNES version]] just isn't the same without the choir.
* [[https://youtu.be/1Zz_qvI_klM High Speed Zone]] 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]].
* The immortal ''Aircraft Carrier'' aka Boss Rush theme, especially its mix from ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDbGrpBZ2WM V]]'' and ''IV'''s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02waIU1QlsU jazzy rendition.]]
* The most epic stage theme in Gradius, ever. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13QbsBcX9xA The original Moonspin.]] The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oZBPmmCBZI re]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HtIjYeC7j0 ma]][[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDa3IHZcOuU kes]] are kinda epic too.
* Here are some of the most kickass tracks from ''Nemesis'', with/as Rebirth remake (*original available):
** From Nemesis II: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT37Y4KAEok A Journey]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNxS5rVDLOo To The Start*]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHQlrCAHkyc A Dream]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dq51sqmap0 of a Dreamer]].
** Also from Nemesis II: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMRWRBoxsnM Killer Corst Land]].
** From Nemesis III: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0dyVl1oMqc Position Light*]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDJq8bRjl9E Cosmic Heroes]].
** 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 adventurous and heroic tone. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eQZL3HiLF4 ReBirth version]] is just as awesome.
%%* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmPtHyErtHc Historic Soldier]], the music of the beginning animation of Nemesis I.
%%* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6isS1Bq1DVA The rocking intro music]] from PC Engine version of ''Gradius 2: Gofer no Yabou''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQmOmd5_w7A King of Kings]] from ''Gradius III''. Never has a song made the Platform/{{SNES}}' sound chips sound so heroic.
* [[https://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 [[https://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" makes you think this is how it should have sounded if it did exist on the SNES.
%%* "Pursuit", from the Game Boy ''Gradius II''.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khYnYSY-g4k Mechanical Globule]] from the first game is possibly the most underrated track in the entire series.
* While the Pachinko machines are quite... controversial, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za5TJzB6wRY this piece]] is rave-party worthy.
* ''Anime/{{Salamander}} {{OVA}}'':
** The [=OVA=] has some great remixes of the series' songs, such as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f1164zIg_E the first stage of Salamander]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaIu2nkZjCE Poison Of Snake]].
** The awesome end credits song, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFFa4vb-TFI Remember You]], is sweetened by GratuitousEnglish.
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