Gradius III

Released by Konami in 1989, Gradius III: From Legend to Myth is the fourth entry in the iconic side-scrolling shooter series that once took the world by storm. This title introduced new innovations, such as a wider range of power-ups and the "Edit Mode" feature, which allows players to freely customize their equipment, alongside stages that incorporate 3D visual effects. At the same time, the game was a subject of much debate; the slow pace caused by processing lag in the arcade environments of the time, coupled with a notoriously high difficulty balance, led to harsh criticism from some fans. Nevertheless, bolstered by the series' storied history, this ten-stage title has maintained a dedicated following. Note that upon its initial release, display issues such as screen offsets were identified, and to this day, reports persist of title screen display errors and graphical glitches in specific stages, even within environments utilizing emulation.

Several years after the war with the Bacterian army, a new threat looms over the planet Gradius in the form of a gargantuan fortress equipped with interstellar navigation capabilities. The hyper-dimensional fighter Vic Viper launches once again, flying solo into enemy territory to avert impending extinction. Following the lineage of battles that have become legendary, a fierce struggle of mythical proportions—with the very survival of Gradius at stake—begins.