The Iron Maiden (アイアンメイデン) is a large enemy type, only seen in Sub Boss battles, and is a major recurring Sub-Boss in the Gradius series, originally appearing as the Stage 4 Sub-Boss in Gradius.
Details
Maidens traverse terrain in an attempt to collide with the player - if the player is not in a good position or has not dealt with the other enemies in the area they can quickly become overwhelmed. Whilst present in most ports of Gradius, they were replaced by a Inverted Volcano in the NES version.
Attack pattern
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Iron Maiden in Gradius III.
The Iron Maiden is usually joined by two Dagoom Hatches, which spawn a constant stream of enemies until they are dealt with. The Iron Maiden itself follows a preset movement pattern, along the path of the mountain and terrain, before eventually enclosing in on the player, and once they move up the right, they advance at you. It is possible to move around them as they are advancing at you, but if the Iron Maidens are super fast, don't try this.
In Gradius ReBirth the terrain they are normally present in is inverted and they actually emerge from the terrain itself.
Strategy
The main way to survive this Sub Boss is to first take out the Dagoom Hatches if possible, and then to find a safe spot - and stay there, dodging what-ever bullets come your way as necessary. This safe spot should optimally be able to hit newer Iron Maidens coming into the area, as well as older ones as they get closer. If the safe spot is sound, you will be able to take out the Maidens with little trouble, as they have little health.
In Gradius, it is possible to get to the right and let the Iron Maidens fly past you, but make sure to have the hatches destroyed. Also, stay in the middle. In Gradius ReBirth, hiding in the upper right will work as well.
Salamander
In Salamander, the Iron Maiden appear as a regular enemy in the final mission. Here they are much smaller than the regular Iron Maiden and have a different pattern, jumping from the walls and shooting.
Gallery
Trivia
- Iron Maiden is named after the heavy metal band of same name.
See also
| Gradius | ||
| Ships | Vic Viper | |
| Stages | Volcano • Stonehenge • Moai • Reverse Volcano • Wasteland (PCE) • Tentacle • Cell • Base | |
| Sub Bosses | Volcano • Zub Rush • Mother and Child • Iron Maiden • Tentacle • Electronic Cage •
Re-Bone (PC Engine) • Tornado (MSX) • Tyran Pace (MSX) | |
| Bosses | Big Core • Cell Nucleus • Xaerous Brain | |
| 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 ReBirth | ||
| Characters | James Burton (Vic Viper) • Gaudie • Venom | |
| Stages | Volcano • Cell • Moai • Wasteland • Antichthon | |
| Bosses | Volcano • Iron Maiden • Big Core Duo • Zub Rush • Crawler X • Moai Orb • Re-Bone • Enigma • Electronic Cage MK2 • Xaerous Brain | |
| Minibosses / Panic segments | ||
| Traditional / Recurring | Volcano • Zub Rush • Iron Maiden • Re-Bone • Fortress Valis • Jumping Moai • Dogas | |
| One Shot | Mother and Child • Tentacle • Tornado • Tyran Pace • Zigzag • Amb • Sodd • Sinar • Crash Bam | |