The Konami Code
     After  selecting  Gradius from the main menu, at the title screen
put in THE CODE - Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A -
and you should hear a noise confirming that it has been entered. Start
a  game  as  normal,  however  upon starting your game press the Start
button to Max-out your ship with every power-up, except for Speed. You
can only do this once, so make it count!