Gradius (USA)

When you start a run, your ship is bare and sluggish, so the first priority is grabbing those red power-up capsules that certain enemies drop. Each one bumps a highlight along the bar at the bottom of the screen, and pressing the A button activates whatever is highlighted, instantly upgrading speed, missiles, your main gun, or granting the famous Options, those glowing orbs that mimic your position and fire. The bar resets after each activation, so you are always making quick decisions about what to grab next. Fighting without speed first is a quick route to a game over screen.

The stages scroll relentlessly to the right, mixing open space with tight volcanic tunnels and mechanical bases, while ground turrets, swarms of smaller ships, and towering bosses try to end your run. Dying strips every upgrade away and drops you back at a checkpoint, often in a nearly impossible spot if you lost speed. A smart move for newcomers is to build a loadout in this order: one speed, one missile, then immediately go for an Option or two before grabbing the laser. It helps you survive the recovery sections that would otherwise chew through your lives.