Salamander
Alternative title: Lifeforce  (US)
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
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Gradius / Nemesis Spin-off.

In a distant part of the universe, an alien creature called Zelos was born. As he grew so did his appetite, and soon he began devouring galaxies, planets, and stars by the hundreds. Now your planet has appeared in Zelos' path, and it is up to you and a partner to fly into battle to save your world. 

Salamander is an action-packed shooter based on the arcade game. There are six levels which alternate between side and vertical scrolling, each of them ending with a powerful guardian. Throughout the game, destroying certain enemies will release power ups which can be used to equip your ship with more powerful weapons, extra speed, and shields. Gameplay is for one player or two players simultaneously.

Alternate Titles
"沙羅曼蛇" -- Chinese spelling (simplified)
"沙羅曼蛇" -- Japanese spelling
"Salamander (Life Force)" -- Brazilian CCE's Top Game title
"Salamander" -- Japanese Arcade/MSX title
"Life Force Salamander" -- European NES title
"Lifeforce" -- NES title screen

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Trivia

The Arcade version of Salamander appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Anime
There was an Anime based on Life Force. It was called Salamander, made in 1988, and only released in Japan and the U.K. Sadly, all three episodes are out of print in both countries.
Awards

ACE
October 1988 (issue #13) - Included in the Top-100 list of 1987/1988 (editorial staff selection)
Commodore Force
December 1993 (Issue 13) – #90 “Readers' Top 100”

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Description from the packaging  (US Lifeforce release) :

Calling all Viper Pilots- the galaxy's on the edge of doom again!
You've saved the innocent people of Gradius from the vile Bacterions. But now an even deadlier plague has slimed into the neighborhood.
It's Zelos, an all-engulfing, planet-eating alien who's hungering to take a bit out of you!
You'll be gunning for max power-ups, with ripple lasers, plutonic missiles and impregnable force fields.
But you better be on target. For this isn't your ordinary space scum. And to crush him you've gotta soar through his guts, blast past his death traps and ultimately blow out his heart.
Good luck Commander. The Galaxy's counting on you!


http://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/life-force
