Gradius Galaxies

Game Boy Advance
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Nov 12, 2001
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. Pocket Games
    95
    Whether you're a grizzled arcade veteran or a newcomer to the series, Gradius Galaxies is sure to satisfy your appetite for destruction. [Spring 2002, p.41]
  2. Awesome. It could even be considered the GBA's "Ikaruga."
  3. The bar by which other shooters will be measured. Get one, and get some new batteries, because we’re sure you’ll be hooked by this game.
  4. This game has such a high replay value that it’s worth so much more than the SRP on the package.
  5. A very good game, with great graphics and gameplay, but with lackluster sound. I really liked this game and that’s why I was quite disappointed with the length of it.
  6. Proves that old-school gameplay isn’t dead and may still be able to teach a trick or two to the next generation.
  7. 80
    The crisp graphics hold up fine on the small screen, but the music is standard, forgettable fare.
  8. It's Gradius done good--if you're into that sort of thing.
  9. 75
    I wouldn't rate the game very high as a current console title, but as a GBA game it's a good one to pull out and put away in quick bursts of gaming.
  10. It’s well polished and has a pretty lengthy eight worlds. The power-up system is really cool and works for both novice and stronger players.
  11. Game Informer
    73
    Be warned - even on easy with max lives, this game is a challenge. [Dec 2001, p.118]
  12. 71
    Though not spectacular in any category Galaxies proves you can make a decent shooter on the GBA while retaining much of a games arcade roots. Once you finally finish this tough, deep, space-blaster, you'll probably not bother with it again.
  13. Nintendo Power
    70
    It's arcade-style excellence. [Nov 2001, p.148]
  14. The difficulty is much better than previous games in the series, so no need to worry about that if you’ve had horrifying experiences with insanely difficult shooters before (which everyone has.)
  15. A good handheld shooter, but it's also a step back for the Gradius series as a whole. While the graphics are definitely a cut above the SNES Gradius III, the lack of difficulty and a weapon edit mode really knock the replayability down.
  16. Leaps and bounds more interesting than its "Iridion 3D" neighbor, the new Gradius offers a ridiculously large amount of options and weapons keeping the classic gamers happy with a true sequel, while satisfying newcomers with a title belonging to a genre almost forgotten.
  17. netjak
    55
    It is relatively short (when you consider the 30 hour RPGs on GBA), and has no innovative features whatsoever. If you can get past that, it can be an enjoyable game, although nowhere near the caliber of other shooters fashioned in a traditional style (like "Gunbird 2").

Awards & Rankings

25
23
#23 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2001
25
#25 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2001
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. May 7, 2023
    8
    Gradius comes to the Gameboy advance and its simple, stripped down shoot 'em up formula is perfectly suited to the system. A nice looking,Gradius comes to the Gameboy advance and its simple, stripped down shoot 'em up formula is perfectly suited to the system. A nice looking, challenging and inventive side scroller that's a good, solid entry in the long running series. Full Review »
  2. Troy
    Jun 3, 2004
    10
    Great combination of past games combines to make the best portable shooter ever. Great voice overs, sound effects, music and lots of things Great combination of past games combines to make the best portable shooter ever. Great voice overs, sound effects, music and lots of things exploding!! Full Review »
  3. [Anonymous]
    Jul 31, 2003
    9
    Nice gameplay and just what you'd expect from a side scrolling space shooter. It just keeps you playing.