Gradius III Cheats

SNES Cheats

Arcade mode

Enter the option menu from the title screen. Highlight the "Game Level" selection and rapidly tap A until the "Game Level" text changes to "Arcade". Press Start(2), to begin an arcade mode game.

Random weapons

Select a game mode from the option screen, then press Start to enter the weapon selection screen. Press R to enter the edit mode. Press X, Y, X(2), Y(2), X, Y for a random selection.

Extended demonstration mode

Hold A button at the title screen. The demonstration mode will continue until reaching the Boss.

Twenty-nine lives

Hold Left and press A(3) at the title screen. Then, press Start to begin game play.

Extra credits

Rapidly tap X at the title screen until the total number of credits approaches eight. Press Start to begin the game before the title screen disappears.

Instant power-up

Press Start to pause game play, then press Up(2), Down(2), L, R, L, R, B, A. Press Start to resume game play. Your ship will gain missiles, force field, all options, and more speed. Note: This code may only be used once per level.

Self destruct

Press Start to pause game play, then press Up(2), Down(2), Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start.

Increased R Option

Select the "R Option" (rotating options) selection from the weapons panel. Obtain all four Options, then collect enough power-ups to highlight the "Option" selection again at the bottom of the screen. Hold A to increase the radius of the R Options.

Reset game

Hold L + R + Start + Select during game play.

Bonus stages

Levels 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 contain a bonus stage. These require that some sort of condition be met and are entered by flying intona hidden area.

Level 2: Condition: None. Fly into the first ship opening along the bottom of the screen. It is located in the last section of the stage (after the giant carbonated bubbles) before meeting the Boss.

Level 3: Condition: Destroy all of the guns on the ground. Fly close to the low rock ceiling toward the end of the level and immediately before the last "mountain".

Level 4: Condition: No power-up boxes at the bottom of the screen may be lit. Fly into the back of the Moai head located in the middle of upright three heads toward the end of the level. This particular head will be facing away from you.

Level 5: Condition: Unknown. Fly through the fire at the corner of the inverted volcano. It is located just before the small passage that leads to the two-headed fire dragon.

Level 7: Condition: Unknown. Fly through low corner just after the four turrets. Your ship would normally have to fly upwards diagonally at this point.

Extra Credits

At the title screen, press the X button about 16 times per second and the credits will increase. If you're fast enough you'll get 9 credits!

Trick Full Power-up

Pause the game and use the old familiar UP, UP, DOWN, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, B, A, and unpause. You will explode as this is a boobytrap from the programmers for those trying to cheat.

30 Extra Ships

If you've been having problems going up against the Bacterion Empire then maybe a reserve of 30 Vic Vipers will help. At the title screen just hold LEFT and hit the A button 3 times. When you start the game you will have 30 ships.

Real Full Power-up

Pause the game and press UP, UP, DOWN, DOWN, (now here's the trick, use the LEFT and RIGHT buttons at the top of the control) LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, B, A, and unpause for a full set of weapons.