Castlevania (series)

Castlevania (悪魔城ドラキュラ, Akumajō Dorakyura^?) is a series of horror-themed action-adventure video games created and developed by Konami, centered on the Belmont family, a clan of vampire hunters, and their seemingly eternal fight against the Dark Lord himself, Count Dracula.

Castlevania has made several references to the Gradius series.

References to the Gradius series in the Castlevania games[]

The Moai was a collectible item worth 4,000 points in the original Castlevania game and Castlevania Chronicles. It later returned in Curse of Darkness and Harmony of Despair.
One of Vic Viper's signature items is a set of star-shaped shields which appear in front of it and which get smaller each time they're hit. This shield also appeared in Symphony of the Night and is created with a special ability of the Shield Rod.
The special name entry to enter Magician Mode in Circle of the Moon is "GRADIUS".
The Vic Viper shield returns in Harmony of Dissonance when the Bolt Book and Holy Book spell fusion is used.
The Moai returned in Curse of Darkness if you had a save from Lament of Innocence on your memory card. It could be sold at a high price ($5,000) or could be used to replenish all of your health.
The ship of the Gradius series, Vic Viper, appears as a reward item in Portrait of Ruin.
The Bat Company boss from Dawn of Sorrow shape-shifts into different forms, one of which is a Moai head, complete with the energy ring attack.
Order of Ecclesia has three references to Gradius:
- The boss Rusalka calls down temporary rock platforms in the shape of a Moai.
- Musician villager George occasionally hums the first few notes of "Challenger 1985", the main theme song from the first Gradius.
- The Vic Viper itself is a hidden item.
The Book of Nemesis from Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls details the technology of this series and can launch several Vic Vipers, which shoot out Ripple Lasers.
The Salamander whip from Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls is a reference to the game of the same name and to its dragon-snake depicted on the box art.