Option

Options are the single most important weapon available in Gradius.

File:Optionart.png

They have all of the weapons as the fighter and can usually max out at 4,

resulting in quadruple the additional firepower.

In addition, they are invincible so enemies cannot attack them save for one, the Option Hunter.

Many Options have additional special properties that only add to their effectiveness.

Of special note is Salamander 2, where Options can be sacrificed for a powerful homing attack.

There is no difference between an Option and Multiple.

The Exception for this would be Otomedius, where Multiple acts slightly different.

These are all of the Option types in any Gradius related game.

• Option/Multiple - Follows the movements of the fighter exactly. They are in every Gradius game. Acutally Options in the first Gradius and Salamander(Arcade version) acts slightly diffrent. Called 'Shadow Option' in Nemesis 3.

• Snake Option - Follows your movements but has a tail-like attribute to them. They will swing in the opposite direction when the fighter stops moving. They are hard to use, but effective control can lead to impressive attack positions. (Gradius III, Otomedius Gorgeous)

• Formation Option - Creates a formation of Options, two above and two below the fighter. While they lose the ability to have concentrated fire and fluidity, they allow move area coverage. They come from the Thunder Cross games.

• Rotating Option - Makes the Options orbit the fighter. Like the Formation Options, they lose some fluidity in movement. They have more concentrated fire but do not cover as wide an area. However, they extend a little in front and behind which can set up good attack positions.

• Control Option - They act like standard Options but they can be aimed to shoot in any direction with the price of the fighter being unable to move. Used effectively, they can be very destructive. (Gradius V)

• Freeze Option - They act like standard Options until the function is active, then they hold their positions relative to the ship. If used effectively, they can be used in impressive attack positions and destroy major targets with ease. (Gradius V)

• Armed Guard Option - These act like standard Options, but have a protective armor that blocks bullets. These add additional defense to the fighter but dissipate with more hits, weakness is determined by color. (GR3)

• Cross Option - This can perhaps be seen as a combination of Formation and Rotation Options. The Options are static like Formation, but are Up, Down, Left, and Right of the fighter. The laser can be aimed in any direction and pulses are shot. (Gradius NEO)

• Front Option - (Gradius NEO)

• Wide Option - (Gradius NEO, Otomedius)

• In-Line Option - (Gradius NEO)

• Attack Option - (Gradius NEO)

• Option Seed - This is a smaller Option that orbits the fighter and automatically shoots small shots. Getting another Option Seed created a new Option. (Salamander 2)

• Search Option - (Otomedius)

• Lock Option - Similar to Freeze Option, but you can have up to only three options. (Otomedius)

• Option(Twinbee type) - This option will act exactly like the 'Funshin' option in Twinbee, which gathers to your main fighter's position when you stop the movement, making it less useful than normal option. (Parodius Series)