Well, not really. This is even more like Gradius than the game it's a port of. For some reason the Gradius power-up system is adopted instead of the arcade's pick-up-and-go, "simple", power-up routine. Other changes include the absence of stages 2 and 5 of the arcade (believe me you aren't missing much), and the inclusion of two new stages. Unfortunately you are not able to have up to 4 multiples (or Options if you prefer) between both players, and like NES port of Gradius, the max number of on screen multiples is two. Other than all that, this is one of the finer shooters for the ol' NES, and the gimmick of the odd numbered stages scrolling horizontal and the even numbered scrolling vertical is cool.