Vic Viper using the Laser
Laser weapons are recurring weapon types from the Gradius games. They are much more powerful than the regular pea shooter, although their fire is often concentrated on the front and is not as versatile as the Double.
Laser[]
The most basic type of laser, it generally manifests as a continuous beam with piercing ability. Holding down the fire button gives a beam of longer duration. Attack power varies from game to game. In some games (Nemesis 2, Gradius Gaiden), it can be upgraded to fire a longer beam. In Solar Assault, it can be charged to emit a continuous beam.
Extend Laser[]
An upgrade to the standard laser in Nemesis 2, two lasers are fired. The Nemesis '90 Kai version just increases the attack power and adds a fluctuating color effect.
Meteor Laser[]
An upgrade to the standard laser in Salamander MSX, as well as a standard load-out option in Nemesis 3. This is similar to the Cyclone Laser in that there is a spiral and drilling. However, it is wider, and is important for breaking certain barriers in Salamander MSX. It seems to have more attacking power than the regular laser that appears in the Meteor Laser's respective games.
Twinkle Laser[]
An upgrade to the standard laser, the beam gets wider and has a sparkling effect.
Screw Laser[]
An upgrade to the Meteor and Twinkle Lasers, this laser bends the laser and expands hit making it look like a drill. Very wide attacking range.
Cyclone Laser[]
An upgrade to the standard laser, it has a spiral effect and is slightly thicker.
Hyper Ray[]
Upgrade to the Cyclone Laser in Salamander 2. Faster and more powerful than Cyclone Laser. This weapon will return in Salamander III as a burst attack if the player has equipped the Cyclone Laser.
Ripple Laser[]
An expanding laser that can hit targets over a wide range. Has a wide range of attack strengths that vary from game to game. The edges of the Ripple often have piercing, increasing damage massively at long distances. In Vulcan Venture, it is called the Pulse Laser. In Solar Assault, it can be charged to conjure energy spheres that spread from impact to deal damage.
According to Toshiaki Takatori, the name Ripple Laser (リップルレーザー Rippuru Rēzā) was created by one of the staff from an unspecified overseas division of Konami and in the dev team's case they called it Hamon Laser (
Along with Round Laser, it is one of the only laser weapon that is neither reflected nor refracted in Gradius Gaiden.
Buster Ripple[]
Upgrade to the Ripple Laser in Salamander 2. Larger and faster than the Ripple Laser. In Salamander III, it will be a burst attack if the player equips the Ripple Laser.
Fire Blaster[]
It is a short range weapon but (intended) to be very powerful. Unfortunately, it is bugged in Nemesis 2 and Nemesis 3. In Nemesis 2, it straight up doesn't work properly, with the flamethrower lacking a hitbox. This was corrected in some ports of Nemesis 2, as well as Gradius V. In Nemesis 3, it has a different problem; while it does work as intended, it is bugged to deal low damage.
Double cell weapon in Nemesis 2.
Extend Blaster[]
Has twice the power as the "Fire Blaster", but still short range. This weapon is also bugged to do little damage.
Reflex Ring[]
Nemesis 2 exclusive. Special upgrade weapon that appears in the Double cell. Travels a short distance before returning.
Twin Laser[]
The name Twin Laser generally refers to a laser that shoots two thin, short lasers. Attack strength varies wildly between games. Generally harder to focus the attacking strength thanks to the splitting beams. Gradius III SNES version has piercing, making it very good as a screen sweeper. The Gradius Galaxies version features tremendous attack strength.
The Salamander 2 version is an oddity, with beams that dissipate more the further along they travel. This name can also refer to a weapon in Salamander MSX that fires a pair of regular lasers.
This version found in Solar Assault can be charged to emit homing needles akin to Spread Needle Over Weapon from Thunder Force V.
The usage of Twin Laser is exclusive to Jade Knight/Gray Layer in Salamander III and has a second level that turns the Twin Laser into a pseudo-Beam Shot to differentiate it from Pulse Laser, which turns it into a rapid-firing triple laser instead.
Spear Laser[]
Upgrade to the Twin Laser in Salamander 2. More powerful and it doesn't get thinner like Twin Laser. In Salamander III, Graylayer is the exclusive ship to use the Burst Mode of the Laser, turns the Twin Laser into a piercing Trident, which is capable of tearing enemies apart and capable of destroying bosses.
Spread Gun[]
Pentaro's only Laser. When equipped, you can shoot fish looking guns. When hit an enemy or the stage's surface, it explodes. Just like the Spread Bomb.
3-Way[]
TwinBee's only laser. When equipped, you can shoot in a 45 degree angle up and down. You can also shoot straight.
Disruptor[]
Lord British's weapon in Gradius Gaiden. A beam that appears instantly, and has piercing.
Pulse Laser[]
This name can refer to the alternate name of the Ripple Laser, or the Jade Knight's main laser. In the latter case, the weapon is basically a rapid-fire Twin Laser that can be upgraded to fire three lasers that spread out. Very effective at point-blanking enemies & bosses.
Gravity Bullet[]
Fires a bullet which generates a powerful black hole. Much like a Spread Bomb. It is considered as the Gradius Gaiden version of the Spread Gun.
Twin and Triple Lasers[]
A special upgrade usable only when the Saber Tiger and Thrasher are connected. Two or three normal lasers are fired, respectively.
Vector Laser[]
A temporary pickup weapon that releases very powerful expanding waves with very large attack strength and piercing ability. In Nemesis 3, this is an upgrade to the Ripple Laser/Fire Blaster on the 2way missile type, and is the most powerful weapon in the game. The Vector also shows up in Gradius ReBirth as one of weapons of the hidden Metalion types. It functions similar to a Ripple Laser and can pass through terrain.
Energy Laser[]
Fires a very powerful laser ball that charges. In Gradius III Arcade, the charging sphere that envelopes the ship does great damage on enemy contact, but the resulting shot does normal damage (though moving with increased width). The Gradius III SNES and Gradius V versions both do tremendous damage when fully charged, and can destroy most bosses in a couple of shots. In Gradius V, this laser was visually and physically overhauled to act as a charge shot, similar to the Wave Cannon used by R-9A Arrowhead in R-Type.
Armor Piercing[]
Fires an armor piercing bullet. Slower than regular bullets, but deals more damage per round.
Thrust[]
Fires a fairly thick shot with a piercing effect. Mediocre power.
Up Laser[]
A laser that is fired from the top of the ship, replacing the double weapon (but can be used concurrently with the laser). Note that you still have bullets when you activate this weapon. This is the first weapon upgrade in Nemesis 2.
Down Laser[]
A laser that is fired from the bottom of the ship, replacing the missile weapon. Note that you still have bullets when you activate this weapon.