Game Description: Gradius is a side-scrolling shoot-'em-up where players control the Vic Viper, a starfighter battling through enemy fleets and alien landscapes. The game features a unique power-up system where players collect capsules to activate upgrades such as speed boosts, missiles, laser cannons, and the iconic “Option” satellite drones. With its dynamic level design, challenging bosses, and strategic weapon selection, Gradius set the standard for the side-scrolling shooter genre.