High Speed Zone is the seventh stage in the SNES port of Gradius III.
Overview[]
Unlike its similar counterpart in the arcade version of Gradius III, this stage plays in the traditional side-scrolling view rather than in a pseudo-3D environment. The player must navigate through a maze-like hi-tech complex at extreme speed while dodging enemies, walls and projectiles.
Strategy[]
Use the first few enemies that drop power-ups to gain Speed bonuses to help survive this level.
When an opening/closing gate requires precise timing to get through, take the risk and don't wait for them, or you could end up getting trapped between the closed gate and the oncoming left end of the screen.
Firepower isn't much of an issue here; however, an Option or two and Missiles can help a lot, as they can take out enemies along surfaces and through walls. Likewise, the normal Laser is also very useful in this stage, as it can go straight through the narrow corridors that mainly comprise this level and take out entire rows of turrets affixed to the floors and ceilings, which is the formation in which they're most commonly encountered. Nevertheless, it's always a good idea trying to reach the end of the level with decent enough weaponry, as there's still a boss to be fought, where Beacon awaits.
Enemies[]
Boss[]
Music[]
| Description | Audio |
|---|---|
| Theme of Air Battle - Departure for Space (SNES) | |
| Theme of High Speed Zone - Accident Road. | |
| Theme of Boss 2 - Dark Force 2 SNES. |
Trivia[]
- A side-scrolling high speed stage was planned for the arcade version of Gradius III, where the path would be formed by mechanical parts and debris that would fly at the player. This concept would eventually evolve into the Crystal Zone.
- Coincidentally, the High Speed Zone replaced the Crystal Zone in the SNES version of III, though the stage is based on Gradius II’s High Speed Maze.
| 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 | |