Nemesis 2 (MSX)

{{Short description|1987 video game}}

{{cleanup rewrite|date=August 2016}}

{{Infobox video game

|title = Nemesis 2

|image = Nemesis 2 MSX cover.png

|caption = European cover art

|developer = Konami
SPS (Kai)

|publisher = Konami
SPS (Kai)

|designer = Naoki Matsui

|series=Gradius

|composer = Kinuyo Yamashita
Motoaki Furukawa
Masahiro Ikariko

|platforms = MSX, X68000, PC, PlayStation Portable

|released = MSX{{vgrelease|JP|August 22, 1987|EU|1987}}X68000{{vgrelease|JP|November 5, 1993}}PC{{vgrelease|JP|January 27, 2015}}

|genre = Horizontal Scrolling Shooter

|modes = Single-player
multiplayer (alternate)

}}

Nemesis 2, released as {{nihongo|Gradius 2|グラディウス2|Guradiusu Tsū|}} in Japan, is a side-scrolling shoot 'em up video game released for the MSX computer in 1987 by Konami. The game is a sequel to the MSX conversion of the first Gradius, which was released under the Nemesis title in Europe. It predated the similarly titled arcade sequel Gradius II (which used the Roman numeral 'II' and was distributed in Europe as Vulcan Venture{{cite web|url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/videogames/show/1274#gallery|title=Vulcan Venture - Konami (Video Game, 1988) - USA _ The Arcade Flyer Archive}}). It was the first Konami cartridge for the MSX to employ their proprietary sound chip the SCC, which adds five extra wave sound channels in addition to the three default channels used by the MSX's standard PSG.{{cite magazine|magazine=MSX Magazine|title=Music Square|url=https://ia601800.us.archive.org/5/items/MSXMagazine-Japan/MsxMagazine198710.pdf|date=October 1987|issue=47|page=76|publisher=ASCII Corporation}}

In a departure from other games, instead of controlling Vic Viper, the available ship is called Metalion. Unlike other titles, this game has a heavier focus on story, which is told by cut-scenes. The gameplay is mostly unchanged from the rest of the series, though there are some powerups that temporally gives the ship some enhancements. Also, when the bosses are being defeated, if the Metalion flies where they are, a mini-level can be accessed in order to obtain new permanent upgrades, if the mini levels are successfully cleared.

A remake was released for the X68000 computer under the title of {{nihongo|Nemesis '90 Kai|ネメシス'90改|Nemeshisu ninetī kai}}, with some graphical and aural enhancements.