Parodius (CIB)

What do you get when you mix space warfare, rubber ducks, dancing girls, Moai heads, and penguins with laser cannons? You get Parodius — Konami’s gloriously unhinged parody of its own Gradius series, and one of the most beloved and bizarre shmups ever made.

The Sega Saturn version brings the chaos in full force, with smooth sprite work, arcade-accurate performance, and bonus modes that elevate it beyond a standard port. Whether you’re dodging cake slices in space or blasting through cat battleships while classical music blares in the background, Parodius is as polished as it is proudly ridiculous.

Under the madness lies real shooter depth — branching power-up paths, tight controls, and relentless bullet patterns that demand serious skill (even if you’re piloting an octopus in a top hat). The Saturn’s 2D muscle makes this one of the definitive home versions, with quick load times, sharp visuals, and that classic Konami flair.

And let’s not forget: Parodius was never released in North America. That makes the Japanese and PAL Saturn editions hot items for collectors — especially complete copies with original artwork that’s just as wild as the game itself.