Gradius Origins

Gradius Origins brings to PS5 some of the most important horizontal shmups in history, all released between the 80s and 90s, with different versions of each title, in addition to a series of new features and extras that will please both newcomers to the genre and, especially, the most passionate fans.

Honestly? If you’ve got any kind of emotional attachment to the series, Salamander 3 alone makes the collection worth it. Gradius Origins doesn’t just bring back the golden age of shmups—it celebrates 40 years of the most influential and prolific franchise in the genre. Even if this style of game doesn’t carry the same appeal it once did, at least Konami made the effort to keep it alive in our memories.

A loving tribute to Gradius and its spin-off series, with some of M2’s best archaeological work and an excellent retro sequel in Salamander 3.

GRADIUS ORIGINS is a must-have collection for any shoot 'em up fan; heck, the super-fun SALAMANDER III makes it worth the price of admission alone and when you consider just how many extras and options are packed in, you'd be silly not to get it.

Gradius Collection honors one of Konami's flagship franchises, demonstrating its importance to the genre and revealing a title that was previously considered a myth. Furthermore, the work done to make all titles accessible and preserve their original structure makes this collection a treasure for shoot 'em up fans of all ages.

It might not entirely live up to the full promise of a comprehensive Gradius compilation, but Gradius Origins still does a great job of compiling the games that are here—and Salamander III holds up its end of the bargain as a continuation of the series. If you’re a shmuphead or a Gradius fan, you probably already knew to pick this one up; if you’re at all interested in the genre, though, and want to get a feel for how it grew and changed during the ‘80s and ‘90s, Gradius Origins is a fantastic (if very challenging) introduction.

This collection of games has a very niche audience. To that end, you already know whether Gradius Origins is for you or not. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into the early history of the Gradius games, than this is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s got tons of alternate versions, an extensive gallery to peruse, and the emulation is laser precise. But there aren’t any weird offshoots or later titles. Plus, these games are a specific brand of difficult that can be immediately offputting. If you don’t have the patience to persist, you simply won’t enjoy yourself. But for those of you in this title’s crosshairs, Gradius Origins will be an excellent time.

This well-crafted collection offers a strong selection of classic Gradius and Salamander arcade titles enhanced with modern quality-of-life options and the excellent addition of Salamander III, though it feels incomplete without key entries like Gradius IV and Gaiden, preventing it from being the definitive anthology.

M2 rescues the roots of a fundamental saga for the gaming medium from technological oblivion, offering a collection that rediscovers the various arcade versions of the first three Gradius games and the two (but actually three) Salamander games. The emulation work is simply perfect and accurately recreates the experience of the original titles, characterized by a style that would have set standards and a terrifyingly high level of difficulty. Precisely to soften the more critical aspect of a production that would have been indigestible to many contemporary gamers, the Japanese company has introduced the welcome Easy and Invincible modes, while purists are given online leaderboards where they can compete for the highest scores. As if this commendable rediscovery wasn't enough, M2 enriches the package with a completely original Salamander, but developed with an eye on what a third installment would have been like if it had been released in the 1990s: the answer to this question is a video game calibrated for more modern sensibilities, but at the same time completely inserted within a historical continuity that will delight all fans of the saga.

A comprehensive and high quality collection that is only let down by stopping at the third installment, although the inclusion of the brand new Salamander III almost makes up for it.

The collection provides a huge array of titles with iconic, timeless gameplay, and a brand new title that deftly reinvigorates the franchise. If you like shmups, this one is a must.

Gradius Origins not only bundles together the first three Gradius games and makes multiple versions of them available, it also includes a trio of Salamander games and Life Force. These spin-offs dramatically boost the collection's value, especially with Salamander 3 being a brand new game that's been developed by M2. Add in plenty of options and museum-like content, and you have a genuine treat for shoot 'em up fans.

Konami keeps its promise to revive love for its most classic franchises with Gradius Origins. A love letter to the beginnings of the series, it takes the titles from the first 11 years and adds a kind of “what if” scenario that for many will be the biggest draw of the compilation. Six classic titles, all the arcade versions, and a juicy bonus, the previously unreleased Salamander III, are joined by a host of customization options and a perfect recreation. The result? A compilation that manages to hook us back into a saga that hasn't lost an ounce of its epicness.

Gradius Origins is an impressive but incomplete collection. It captures the essence of a genre and a generation of gamers. It's a shame that the absence of the fourth and fifth installments keeps it from being a must-have for every SHMUP fan.

Gradius Origins delivers a solid dose of nostalgia in a well-curated collection of this legendary franchise. It offers enough to stand out from other retro compilations, especially with the inclusion of the previously unreleased Salamander III. If you're looking for a challenging experience and a piece of gaming history, this collection has it all.