In the darkest corners of infinite space, pure evil lurks... Dark forces led by the god of destruction, Bacterian, are preparing to launch a massive attack against the planet Gradius.

Possessing unstoppable power, the Dark Forces threaten to plunge the Universe into total war and complete annihilation.

Their invasion force destroys Gradius' defenses, and the surrounding planets quickly fall like dominoes. Now Bacterian's evil hand reaches the heart of the resistance... the planet Gradius itself...



To counter the impending threat, the United Forces of the Gradius World muster all of their warships. Half of them form a defensive network and the other half an attacking team.

But they are outnumbered and the Dark Forces easily break through their thin front line. No fighter survives the carnage…

In a last ditch effort, the United World Gradius forces send two battleships previously deemed too dangerous for combat missions: the InterDimensional VIC VIPER Battleships.

Battleships take off to the heart of darkness to join the battle that will decide the fate of the Universe...