Gradius

The Starfighter's Guide to Intergalactic Warfare

THE FATE OF THE ENTIRE GALAXY IS IN YOUR HANDS.
Vile Bacterion forces have invaded your beloved Gradian homeland, and you're the only pilot left who can save millions of innocent inhabitants from the onslaught.
So strap into your Vic Viper, and hang on for the fight of your life!

HOW TO TAKE ON AN ARMADA OF ALIEN DEATH SHIPS SINGLE-HANDEDLY
To begin your defense of the galaxy, press the ON/START Switch.
During the confrontation, pilot your Vic Viper up and down on the left side of the solar system and fire blast after blast of Plutonic Lasers by pressing the Firing Mechanism.
At the start of your mission, you'll have 4 fully armed Vic Vipers at your disposal. For every 6,000 points scored, another Viper will be added to your arsenal.
Every Bacterion fighter you destroy is worth 20 points. Deadly Big Cores, which appear at the end of each level, are worth 400 points. Carnage Crystals and floating continents are indestructible.
To ultimately save the galaxy, you must survive 4 levels. The father you go, the more ferocious the fighting gets. But remember, you must destroy the Big Cores before warping into the next war zone.
Every time you fail to destroy a Bacterion Fighter you'll lose a chunk of your Force Meter, while total destruction occurs if your Viper is hit by a missile, crystal or enemy fighter.
Needless to say, once all of your Vic Vipers are totalled, the mission, along with the Gradius Empire, will end.
Note: To clear the screen or erase the high score, press the All Clear Key.

(screenshot captions)

Force Meter

Floating Continents from the Dreaded Destructo Galaxy

Alien Missiles

The Vic Viper

The Big Core

Pilot Status

Carnage Crystals

Displays your level, score and number of surviving Vipers.

Bacterion Fighters

Viper Control Pad
Press to maneuver the Vic Viper up and down.

Power Off Switch

Sound Switch

Power On/Start Switch

All Clear Key

Plutonic Laser Firing Mechanism
Press to disintegrate the enemy.

Source: Back of Package (US)