Gradius ReBirth
Nintendo Wii-Ware

Secrets, Unlockables, and Tricks FAQ
© Vulpes Mundi



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Version history.

Version 1.0 - February 14, 2011
First release of the FAQ with all currently known information.



Difficulty settings.

Very Easy: Loop 1 only, most enemies will not fire projectiles at you.  The
game will end automatically after defeating the final boss.

Easy: Loop 1 only, most enemies will fire weak projectiles at you that can be
destroyed.  The game will end automatically after defeating the final boss.

Normal: begins on Loop 1 map, most enemies will fire standard projectiles in
a limited fashion.  There is no loop limit to this difficulty.  Score attack
mode automatically uses this difficulty.

Hard: begins on Loop 2 map, enemies will increase their rate of fire and
speed of projectiles, plus they will often leave behind parting shots when
defeated.  There is no loop limit to this difficulty.

Very Hard: begins on Loop 3 map, enemies will further increase their rate of
fire and speed of projectiles, plus they will very often leave behind
multiple parting shots when defeated.  There is no loop limit to this
difficulty.

Basically you can expect the difficulty to increase with each loop.  The most
notable difference is the addition of extra parting shots.  The game cycles
on a three loop basis, each loop having slightly different map layouts for
each stage, which will effect hidden secrets within each stage.



The Konami Code.

Performing the classic Konami Code will instantly give you max multiples.
Any other powerups remain.  The use limit is once per stage reached.  The
Konami code is not available for use in score attack mode.

While paused: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, shoot, power-up.



Unlock extra ship configurations.

On any difficulty defeat the final boss and then end the game by running out
of lives and choosing not to continue.  You will be given a new ship, the
Metalion, which comes with weapon configuration D.

After receiving configuration D, on any difficulty defeat the final boss and
then end the game by running out of lives and choosing not to continue.  You
will be given weapon configuration E for the Metalion.



Change the appearance and difficulty of stage 1.

After clearing the outer-space section of stage 1 and arriving at land, you
will shortly come across a pair of energy devices.  There will be an orange
one producing red energy on the ceiling and a gray one producing white energy
on the floor.  Choosing to destroy either of these devices will have an
impact upon the remainder of stage 1.

Not destroying either of these devices will leave the stage in its normal
state.  The encounter before the stage boss will be with a pair of erupting
volcanoes.

Destroying the orange one first will turn the stage white.  The encounter
before the stage boss will be with a chain of floating enemies that circle
around the screen before homing in on your ship.

Destroying the gray one first will turn the stage red.  All of the volcanoes
in the stage will be erupting, including the final two before the stage boss.



Secret warp to hidden bonus stage in stage 2-3.

Nearing the end of stage 2, section 3, there will be a solid outcropping from
the ceiling six segments long.  On loop 1, this outcropping will be
completely solid (as seen in the screenshot linked below).

http://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/951328-gradius-rebirth/images/gs_screen-8

On loop 2 there will be a small gap in the right-hand side of this
outcropping.  Backing your ship into this gap will warp you to a hidden bonus
stage filled with numerous powerups and bonus points.  There are plenty of
obstacles and enemies in this bonus stage as well, so you can still die.
Whether you die or complete the bonus stage you'll move on to stage 3,
completely passing by the stage 2 boss.



Secret warp to hidden bonus stage in stage 4-3.

Nearing the end of stage 4, section 3, loop 2, at the beginning of the
barrage of serpent-like creatures that come out of the floor and ceiling,
there will be a small section along the floor that looks organic and out of
place compared to the sandy terrain common in this stage.  Flying your ship
straight down into this organic patch will warp you to a hidden bonus stage
filled with numerous powerups and bonus points.  There are plenty of
obstacles and enemies in this bonus stage as well, so you can still die.
Whether you die or complete the bonus stage you'll move on to stage 5,
completely passing by the stage 4 boss.



Trick to defeating the stage 1 boss.

There's an easy trick to defeating the boss of stage 1.  Line yourself center
with the boss and scoot yourself as close as possible to its nose so that
you're kinda touching, but will not be killed by it when it moves vertically.
Its laser fire will pass right by you, allowing you to just sit there and
fire away, quickly dispatching it.  Even in the higher loops when the
barriers leave parting shots, your position will cause these projectiles to
fly away from you, leaving you completely unscathed.  Easy victory.



Trick to defeating the stage 5 mid-boss.

There's an easy trick to defeating the mid-boss of stage 5.  When you first
arrive at the location the boss appears, but before it enters the screen, fly
to the right-hand side of the screen and park your ship against one of the
jutting corners where the back portion of the boss will appear.  If you're
positioned just right, you'll be able to sit there between the front and back
sections of the boss unscathed.  Eventually the boss will simply self-
destruct, allowing you to continue on without even fighting.  Easy victory.



Afterwords.

That's all of the secrets I'm currently aware of.  If I find more in the
future I'll update the FAQ.  If you have any that I've missed and would like
to share, feel free to Email them to me and I'll add them to the FAQ.  Please
be sure and tell me if you want to be credited or contribute anonymously.

I can be contacted at vulpesmundi at hotmail dot com.  Please be sure and
properly topic your Email, or it may be lost to my junk folder.

Thank you for reading this FAQ.  Enjoy playing and good journey.