Activate a speed upgrade during a run. Each ship has a different powerup configuration. Achievements prohibit using both ships in the same run. The powerup bar only appears in Japanese Life Force.

Activate a missle upgrade during a run.

Activate a pulse upgrade during a run.

Activate a laser upgrade during a run.

Activate a multiple upgrade during a run.

Activate a shield upgrade during a run.

Activate the max number of speed upgrades during a run.

Activate the max number of multiple upgrades during a run.

Activate the max number of shield upgrades during a run.

Dev challenge: earn an extra life during a run without having lost a life. The ability to earn extra lives was added to Japanese Life Force.

Clear stage one using any ship. This game has no continues. Unique stage bosses make their first appearance here in the Gradius universe.

Clear the section containing Thunder Mu in stage two using any ship. Thunder Mu distracts you by causing the screen to flash different colors.

Clear stage two using any ship. Vertifcal stages were first introduced in Salamander.

Clear stage three using any ship.

Clear stage four using any ship.

Clear stage five using any ship.

Defeat the mini-boss of stage six using any ship.

Defeat the mid-boss of stage six using any ship.

Clear stage six using any ship, including killing Zelos Force.

Access the hidden warp by leaving Zelos Force alive at the end of any loop.

Clear stage six using Vic Viper, the ship for maneuverability. Amounts to a one-credit clear (1CC) of the game. Killing Zelos Force is optional.

Clear stage six using Lord British, the ship for firepower. Amounts to a one-credit clear (1CC) of the game. Killing Zelos Force is optional. Lord British was first introduced in Salamander.

Dev challenge: defeat the boss of stage one at loop one's max base-rank of 13. No specific loop requirement. A challenge indicator will appear if your rank qualifies.

Dev challenge: defeat the boss of stage two at loop two's max base-rank of 17. No specific loop requirement. A challenge indicator will appear if your rank qualifies.

Dev challenge: defeat the boss of stage three at loop two's max base-rank of 17. No specific loop requirement. A challenge indicator will appear if your rank qualifies.

Dev challenge: defeat the boss of stage four at loop two's max base-rank of 17. No specific loop requirement. A challenge indicator will appear if your rank qualifies.

Dev challenge: defeat the boss of stage five at loop two's max base-rank of 17. No specific loop requirement. A challenge indicator will appear if your rank qualifies.

Dev challenge: defeat the mid-boss of stage six at loop two's max base-rank of 17. No specific loop requirement. A challenge indicator will appear if your rank qualifies.

Dev challenge: score 50K points in a run using any ship.

Dev challenge: score 100K points in a run using any ship.

Dev challenge: score 200K points in a run using any ship.

Dev challenge: score 300K points in a run using any ship.

Dev challenge: score 400K points in a run using any ship.

Dev challenge: score 500K points in a run using any ship.

Dev challenge: perform the escape sequence using Vic Viper and without dying during the escape sequence on loop one.

Dev challenge: perform the escape sequence using Lord British and without dying during the escape sequence on loop one.