Various cheats
Before starting a new game enter one of the following words as your name to have some alternate abilities (to confirm that you have entered a name correctly, check the option screen):
Magician- enter "FIREBALL" as your name. The word "Magician" should appear on the option screen. All cards will be available. You must have beaten the game ONE time to use this cheat.
Fighter- enter "GRADIUS" as your name. The word "FIGHTER" should appear on the option screen. Will be stronger and can sustain more damage. No cards will be available. You must have beaten the game TWO times to use this cheat.
Shooter- enter "CROSSBOW" as your name. The word "Crossbow" appears on the option screen. More hearts and weapon damage. The Homing Dagger weapon is now available. You must have beaten the game THREE times to use this cheat.
Thief- enter "DAGGER" as your name. You will start with Thief stats. You must have beaten the game FOUR times to use this cheat.
Transform into Alternate Monster:
Skeleton- Combine the Pluto Card with the Black Dog card and activate.
Bear- Combine the Pluto card with the Black Dog card and activate while wearing the bear ring.
Shining armor- Complete the Battle Arena and your prize will be the best armor in the game.
Action Cards - Top Row
Mercury - Bone Head
Venus - Slime
Jupiter - Heat Shade
Mars - Bloody Sword
Diana - Man Eater
Apollo - Arch Demon
Neptune - Ice Armor
Saturn - Fallen Angel (near the Battle Arena only)
Uranus - Scary Candle
Pluto - Trick Candle
Attribute Cards - Lower Row
Salamander - Bomb skeleton
Serpent - Earth Demon
Mandragoras - Axe Armor
Golem - Electric Skeleton
Cockarice - Stone Armor
Manticore - Thunder Demon
Griffon - Skeleton Athletes
Thunderbird - Were-Panther
Unicorn - White Armor (Battle Arena only)
Black Dog - Devil Armor (Battle Arena only)