Gradius IV is the fourth game in Konami's long-running Gradius space shooter series. As with other Gradius titles, you control the highly advanced Vic Viper space fighter against hordes of foes. Weapons can be selected from pre-arranged configurations. The game can be played by a single player, or by two players in alternating turns.

The game introduced an online scoring system where a passcode was given at the end of the game. If registered online it would add the score to an online ranking system. This service was discontinued in August 1999.