Parodius

Parodius is a series of humorous shoot 'em up video games developed and published by Konami. The franchise is a parody of Konami's own highly successful Gradius series, humorously subverting its gameplay mechanics and aesthetics. The name "Parodius" itself is a portmanteau of "Parody" and "Gradius".

The first Parodius game, Parodius Da!, was released in arcades in 1988. Subsequent titles appeared on various home consoles, including the Super Famicom, PC Engine, and PlayStation. These games retain the core horizontal scrolling shooter gameplay of Gradius, featuring power-up systems that allow players to collect upgrades for their ships. However, the enemies, bosses, and environments are intentionally absurd and often feature references to other Konami franchises or popular culture.

Characters in Parodius are a significant departure from the more serious tone of Gradius. Instead of the Vic Viper, players often control unique vessels piloted by characters such as a penguin, a danmaku shooter girl, a sentient bacterium, or even a toilet. Bosses are similarly bizarre, ranging from giant cats to muscular men. The music also often consists of parodies of classical music pieces.

The series is known for its lighthearted and often surreal humor, appealing to players who enjoy the shoot 'em up genre but also appreciate a comedic twist. While not as commercially successful as Gradius, Parodius has garnered a dedicated cult following.