Gradius V

Gradius V
North American cover art by Hidetaka Tenjin
DeveloperTreasure
PublisherKonami
DirectorsHiroshi Iuchi
Atsutomo Nakagawa
ProducerYasushi Takano
DesignersHiroshi Iuchi
Atsutomo Nakagawa
ArtistHidetaka Tenjin
ComposerHitoshi Sakimoto
SeriesGradius
PlatformPlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: July 22, 2004
  • NA: September 14, 2004
  • EU: October 8, 2004
  • AU: October 29, 2004
GenreScrolling shooter
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Gradius V (グラディウスV, Guradiusu V) is a 2004 scrolling shooter video game published by Konami for the PlayStation 2. It was largely developed under contract by Treasure, who had previously worked on Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga. The game is set predominantly in outer space where players control a fictional spacecraft called Vic Viper through a continuously scrolling background depicting the territories of Bacterian—an evil empire which serves as the player's enemy. Gradius V received overall positive reviews. Critics praised the level design, graphical design and "classic" revival, but criticized the game's difficulty.