- Publisher: Konami , Limited Run Games
- Release Date: Aug 7, 2025
- Also On: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
- Summary:
- Developer: Konami, M2
- Genre(s): Miscellaneous, Compilation
- # of players: No Online Multiplayer
- Cheats: On GameFAQs
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 5 out of 7
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Mixed: 2 out of 7
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Negative: 0 out of 7
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Aug 11, 2025Everything is here, and as with the other franchises Konami tackled before, Gradius Origins is the ultimate fan package. This is how you remaster and present old games. This is the way, no question about it.
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Aug 4, 2025Gradius Origins is a masterclass in retro game preservation, delivering a definitive collection of Konami's classic shooters. With M2's unmatched attention to detail, rare content, and the surprise inclusion of Salamander III, this package is essential for both longtime fans and newcomers to the genre.
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Aug 8, 2025Salamander III alone is almost worth the full price. The rest is one of the best collections of a classic series that still holds up and is now more accessible than ever. A must-play for shmup fans and a great entry point for newcomers. That said, here's hoping for a similar treatment for the console titles, with extras like Gaiden, Solar Assault... and don’t forget Parodius.
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Sep 8, 2025All up, Gradius Origins is another incredible collection from M2 and Konami. While it might not have every single game or version you might want, for what it does have it has just about everything. There are some extremely coveted scarcities, and even a few fun hidden goodies. At the core of it all is a series of games that shook its genre harder than just about any other, and by playing them, you’ll likely understand why. It’s a must-have for fans of shooters and gaming history alike.
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Aug 11, 2025M2, famous for its articulate, somewhat surgical approach to porting historical code just right, has done another fine job with Gradius Origins. There’s so much polish here it positively gleams, and the overall care, bonus gadgetry and quality of life extras are all impeccably set. Salamander III is the big one, and it delivers, even if it doesn’t really push the envelope in terms of originality or visual bombast. It’s a shame there are still Gradius absentees in the list, and one day perhaps a truly comprehensive compilation will rear its head. For now, though, it’s time to saddle up and destroy the core like never before.
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Aug 6, 2025Gradius Origins offers enough fun for players looking for something simple yet challenging, or who are just in it for the sake of nostalgia. If you love the series, can forgive the missing games and need to have Salamander III, Gradius Origins might be worth owning if you’re okay with the price tag. If not, you might want to wait until you find it on sale. As for curious new players, if you don’t mind a little repetitiveness, then Gradius Origins might be worth it. If the idea of doing the same thing again and again sounds like it’ll get dull, then this collection might not be for you.
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Sep 15, 2025Gradius Origins feels like a more niche collection in some ways. Fighting games are at a relatively high point in popularity, so it makes sense that the Capcom’s of the world would pump out collections of their huge library. Side-scrolling space shooters haven’t hit the same kind of resurgence, so what we’re left with is a series of similar-playing shooters wrapped in a best-in-class collection of features that make them just close enough to playable. I appreciate the level of effort that was made for Gradius Origins, it has been treated with a kind of reverence that makes me think M2 truly cared about preserving these games. That said, in practice it feels more like a niche history lesson rather than a source of deep fun.