Big Core MK III (ビッグコアMk-III Biggu Koa Mk-III ) is a recurring boss in the Gradius series.
Description[]
Big Core MK III is the third boss to be dubbed Big Core and it debuted in Gradius III. It is drastically different than either of the two previous ones. As you may have already guessed, this one has three cores to destroy. The SNES version of Gradius III calls this QB2B.
Attack patterns[]
Big Core MK III attacks by opening up and shooting lasers out of it's wings. Then a reflective laser shoots and bounces off of the giant lasers (it is fired once in Gradius III SNES, three times in Gradius III Arcade, five times in Gradius V). If the front cores are destroyed, then the reflecting lasers are exchanged for mini lasers. When closed, it fires five lasers, unless the front two cores are destroyed, then it fires four lasers (either the traditional Big Core MK I pattern or two normal and two semi-auto). When you get above or below it, it fires four lasers behind itself, and eventually it will move towards the left side of the screen and attack you with them.
Big Core MK III in Gradius IV is actually a slightly modified version called Big Core MK III Kai (改). It has ability to change the angle of its wing, making its laser attacks more confusing. Since the Big Core MK III in Gradius V wasn't the 'Kai' version, it didn't have this ability.
Gradius V adds some new tactics. First, it will attempt to ram you similar to Big Core MK II. Now the player have a chance to destroy the back core directly. There are new attacks here as well. It will shoot straight lasers and homing lasers out of the wings while shooting bullets and sometimes, even turn around to attack regardless if the front cores are destroyed.
Gallery[]
Gradius III | ||
Ships | Vic Viper | |
Stages | Desert • Bubble Zone • Volcanic Planet • High Speed Dimension • Moai Zone • Cell Planet • Prominence Planet • Plant Planet • Crystal Zone • Boss Rush • Mechanical Base | |
SNES exclusive stages | High Speed Zone • Fortress • Cell | |
Bosses | Goliath • Bubble Eye • Godrei • Big Core MK III • Dogas • Vaif • Twin Vaif (SNES) • Gregol • Wyvern • Vulture Dragon • Choking Weed • Lizard Core • Beacon (SNES) • Tetran • Covered Core • Big Core MK II • Crystal Core • Death MK II • Dellinger Core • Disrupt • Shadow Gear • Shadow Gear MK II (SNES) • Big Core • Golem • Bacterian |
Gradius IV: Fukkatsu | ||
Ships | Vic Viper | |
Stages | Liquid Metal • Plant • Bubble • Magma • Moai • Cell • High Speed • Boss Rush • Final Fortress | |
Bosses | Yorogaton Chimera • Dendrodium • Bubble Core • Gillador • Alpha/Omega • Berial • Rolling Core • Vanishing Core • Big Core MK III • Covered Tetran • Berserk Core • Planet Core • Bloody Gate • Crab-II • Gofer |
Gradius V | ||
Ships | Vic Viper T-301 | |
Stages | Planet Gradius Satellite Orbit • Planet Gradius City Sky A • Planet Gradius Urban Underground Hierarchy • Bacterian Cell Center • Asteroid Front Base • Bacterian Multiplication Plant • Bacterian Fortification Center • Planet Gradius City Sky B | |
Bosses | Big Core MK-I Rev.2 • Venom (lower) • Death MK III • Tetran • Big Core MK II • Big Core MK IV • Ground Spider • Huge Heart • Blaster Cannon Core • Rolling Core • Circle Core • Big Core MK III • Covered Core MK II • Beacon • Keeper's Core • Elephant Gear • Venom (upper) |