Gradius V

About the only things that keep the game from scoring higher is the lack of any meaningful innovation in the gameplay and the fact that the game only has seven stages to play.

It's just too bad that there isn't much to it beyond the standard gameplay. [Oct 2004, p.92]

New school gamers may be turned off by the simple play mechanics, 2D graphics, and intense challenge, but old school fans know this is THE holiday title to buy.

Doesn’t do anything to attract new followers to the genre; it knows its market and is more than likely content with its piece of the pie. Those who love such themed releases will be satisfied with Gradius, but some of us wanted more, or at least a new plateau in shooters.

Memorization is only a small part of success, and we suspect that some inhuman quality is required to fully conquer the game.

For all its tight gameplay and superb visuals, this is simply Treasure by numbers and if you’ve played any of its past games you’ll find nothing here that you haven't seen already. [Oct 2004, p.104]

It's also incredibly challenging. You might want to purchase another controller just in case you hurl your present one at the wall.

Serving up a reheated portion of old school retro gaming might satisfy a few hardy souls, but it's hard to see its appeal extending much beyond that. If stupendously hardcore shooters that require the skills of other worldly beings are your thing, then the chances are you'll be in some sort of perverted masochistic heaven. [JPN Import]

If there's to be a Gradius VI, please, Konami, ditch the insistence on the six power-ups. Give your weapons a lot more variety, give the multipliers options, too. Equip them with say, rate of fire and damage boosts, maybe even so AI so they stray and stay locked on to the boss when the player gives the order. Anything but the same maps, system and enemies we've fought before, only in 3D.