The Nemesis is the first entry in the long-running Gradius series on the Game Boy. Its side-scrolling shoot'em up gameplay follows the series template closely. Players control the Vic Viper through five levels, most based on levels in earlier entries, for a kind of 'greatest hits' of the series.
The story follows the standard Gradius format, with players navigating through different environments to defeat enemies and collect power-ups. The game features five distinct levels, each with its own unique theme and challenges.
The gameplay is fast-paced and action-packed, with an emphasis on shooting and strategy. Players can choose from a variety of power-ups, including speed boosts, missiles, dual shots, lasers, option satellites, and forcefields. The game also allows players to start in any of the five levels and set their own limit of lives.