Konami classic Gradius II is this week’s Arcade Archives release

Vic Viper reporting for duty

Hamster Corp. continues in its ongoing efforts to deliver a weekly string of classic arcade titles to modern platforms. This week’s release is one of the coolest shmup titles from Konami’s golden era, Gradius II, now available to download on Nintendo Switch.

Hitting arcades in 1988, Gradius II (or “Vulcan Vulture“) is the sequel to one of the most iconic and influential space shmups of all-time. Once again, the swift and super-powered fighter, Vic Viper, takes to the skies to battle the remnants of the once-defeated Bacterion Empire. Combining elements of the original Gradius and its 1986 spin-off Life Force, Gradius is another slick, action-packed shmup, still holding its own decades later.

While Gradius II is available for purchase as part of Hamster’s Arcade Archive range, it should be noted that it also features – alongside the original Gradius, Life Force, and several other Konami titles – as part of the Konami’s own Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection, which most definitely works out as better value for money.

Gradius II is available to download now on Nintendo Switch, priced at around $8.