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Parodius is an arcade-style shoot 'em up video game series developed by Konami and released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1988.

The series is a parody of the popular Gradius series, which was also developed by Konami.

The Parodius games are known for their humorous and light-hearted themes, which often parody classic manga and anime characters as well as other popular video game franchises.

The first Parodius game was released in Japan in 1988, followed by a sequel, Parodius Da!, in 1990.

Both games were released in Europe and North America only after the success of the original Japanese releases.

The two NES titles feature similar gameplay to the Gradius series, with players controlling a spaceship through various levels while shooting enemies and collecting power-ups.

However, unlike Gradius, Parodius features more comedic elements such as quirky enemies, humorous music tracks, and cartoonish graphics.

The Parodius games are side-scrolling shooters where players control a spaceship that can be powered up with various weapons and abilities.

In each level, players must navigate through obstacles while shooting enemies with their ship's primary weapon or special weapons obtained from power-ups scattered throughout the stages.

These power-ups include shots that spread across the screen or fire homing missiles at enemies.

In addition to these traditional shooter mechanics, some levels also feature boss battles against giant monsters or robots that require specific strategies to defeat them.

The two NES titles feature several different modes of play including Arcade Mode (in which players progress through predetermined levels) and Challenge Mode (in which players must complete individual challenges).

Both modes have three difficulty settings: Easy, Normal, and Hard; these determine how many lives the player has as well as how powerful their ship's weapons are when powered up with power-ups.

Additionally, both titles also have two-player cooperative play where two players can team up to take on levels together.

The Parodius series has become highly regarded among fans of classic shoot 'em ups due to its unique blend of humor and challenge mixed with traditional shooter mechanics.

While it is not as well known as its predecessor Gradius outside of Japan, it still remains one of Konami's most beloved franchises among retro gamers worldwide.

With its simple yet enjoyable gameplay and charming presentation style, it is easy to see why this series continues to be enjoyed by gamers old and new alike over 30 years after its initial release on the NES platform