Gradius V

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Sep 14, 2004
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
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  1. Leoka
    May 21, 2018
    10
    Uno de los 5 mejores Shmups de todos los tiempos, lastima que el genero esta finiquitado y casi ya no salen juegos de esta factoría para las nuevas consolas
  2. Ali1983
    Mar 5, 2023
    10
    best shot em up ever played... graphic 10
    sounds 10
    gameplay 10
    value 9.... no final boss
  3. JoseN.
    Apr 8, 2005
    10
    Perfect!! The Best Gradius of the history!!
  4. MrT.
    Nov 26, 2004
    9
    The best shootemup i have ever played. My score should actually read 9.5, The only reason i wouldn't give it a 10 is for silly little reasons like not being able to turn the music off in the options menu - play any game enough times and the music can get anoying. Other than that it is shooting nirvana.
  5. Fighter17
    Dec 25, 2004
    9
    I really like this game a lot. Very hard game to beat, but the Gradius name states that this game is going to be hard at the first place. I wish more unlockables were added to this game for more play time.
  6. llamayarmybar
    Jul 21, 2011
    8
    This isn't Gradius.. this isn't Gradius at all. However, what it is- is in fact a much better, much improved, and much better looking Gradius than any other installment in the series. Even though at times Treasures influence is incredibly obvious, seeing as they had everything to do with making this title, you'll still see some glimpses of original Gradius concepts from older games andThis isn't Gradius.. this isn't Gradius at all. However, what it is- is in fact a much better, much improved, and much better looking Gradius than any other installment in the series. Even though at times Treasures influence is incredibly obvious, seeing as they had everything to do with making this title, you'll still see some glimpses of original Gradius concepts from older games and maybe even old bosses or enemies. Its been re tweaked for awesome throughout, has a pretty cinematic quality to it and it even quite challenging in a relentless sort of way. However, the power-up system overhaul has left the room for error less-so than in the older games, seeing as you can do quite well with a fully powered ship in each stage. That doesn't mean you won't get you're ass murdered by level layouts or strategically placed enemy patterns of fire or otherwise. You may in fact enjoy this game or hate it for being nearly completely different the the other games.… Expand
  7. LuciusMcGibbon
    Aug 18, 2019
    9
    A beautifully polished feast for the eyes, with fantastic level design, and is completely faithful to the spirit of the Gradius series.

    I would give it a 10 if not for the controller-smashingly high difficulty level. Even by Gradius standards, it's stupidly hard. Sometimes the screen can fill up with deadly crap on the level of a "bullet hell" game, but even those have projectile    A beautifully polished feast for the eyes, with fantastic level design, and is completely faithful to the spirit of the Gradius series.

    I would give it a 10 if not for the controller-smashingly high difficulty level. Even by Gradius standards, it's stupidly hard. Sometimes the screen can fill up with deadly crap on the level of a "bullet hell" game, but even those have projectile patterns you can theoretically avoid. This game just throws random clouds of death at you. Mercifully, the hit detection is on the forgiving side, and you respawn right where you die, otherwise this work of art would barely be playable past level 2.    … Expand
  8. Ramoten
    Sep 28, 2021
    10
    Gradius V is a better Gradius game than Konami could ever have dreamt of making themselves, and is the sole reason I still hold onto my old PS2, since this game is one of - if not the finest - example of the genre. Please someone port this to modern consoles, and by modern I mean Switch :) A true Treasure of intense shooting action.
  9. Yojimbo2015
    Jul 12, 2023
    10
    The best old school scrolling shoot 'em up bar none. One of those games that you can't imagine ever being bettered.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best PS2 Game of 2004
72
#72 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 46
  3. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. Next Level Gaming
    74
    It's fast, it's intense, and it looks really good. But it's also very short, and slightly repetitive.
    Read full review
  2. GamePro
    100
    Incredibly difficult and insanely enjoyable, Gradius V is one of those magical games that you can pick up and play instantly, but spend weeks mastering. [Nov 2004, p.104]
  3. Stuff
    80
    The best side-scrolling action game for $30 this side of buying $30 worth of live crabs. That means buy it.
    Read full review
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