Gradius Origins Reviews
With Gradius Origins, Konami delivers an all-round successful collection that brings together six parts of the series under one roof. By implementing regionally different versions, they go the extra mile to put together a well-rounded package. Browsing through the different versions is fun and reveals the development history behind each individual part. And with Salamander 3, they even deliver a genuine new part that is clearly intended as a tribute to the series' history. The great convenience features are particularly noteworthy. For example, the insert-coin mechanism of classic arcades gives you almost unlimited attempts if you get stuck in the admittedly quite difficult games. In addition, the easy mode and invincibility are real aids to enjoying the games in a much more relaxed way. The icing on the cake is the free save feature and a small rewind function. Unfortunately, Salamander 3 only has an original mode, so at this point at the latest, we have to rely on our skills. Overall, I found Gradius Origins to be a great collection and an exciting journey through the history of the series, which, as it is, ultimately has no major weaknesses.
Review in German | Read full review
Whether you’ve never played a game in the Gradius timeline, or if you’re a shoot ‘em up diehard, I can’t see a reason not to pick this collection up. It’s a great introduction to the genre as a whole, and the emulation work put into this release by developer M2 is as amazing a job as anything they’ve produced previously. It’s an absolute must buy in my opinion, so definitely check it out.
Ultimately, Gradius Origins proves to be a collection capable of delivering dozens of hours of entertainment, adapting to every type of player. Nostalgic fans will be able to rediscover the original challenging difficulty and relive the emotions of the arcades, while newcomers will have the chance to approach the saga thanks to simplified modes designed not to discourage them. Completionists, for their part, will find a treasure trove of sketches, illustrations, and original manuals a true historical archive to explore at leisure. To top it all off, there are online leaderboards and, above all, the brand-new Salamander 3, which brings further freshness and replayability to the package. This is, therefore, a collection that doesn’t simply celebrate the past, but manages to make it feel alive and surprisingly modern. It’s true that the absence of certain titles such as Gradius IV and Gradius V may give some pause, but this in no way undermines the high quality of Gradius Origins.
Review in Italian | Read full review
What’s here feels curated with care: It’s both a history lesson and an adrenaline rush in one polished collection.
Gradius Origins is a great collection of classics that gives a look back in the past. Fans of challenging games or shumps will absolutely find something to chew on with this bundle. While it does feel lacking in terms of variety given the game’s storied history, the different versions give players a reason to try differente ones. Gradius Origins is also a great entry point for those looking to dip their toes in the genre.
Gradius Origins invites us to discover this Martian-killing saga that became popular in 1985 with its arcade releases ranging from Gradius to Salamander II in 1996.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Gradius Origins manages to do a rare thing: it's, at the same time, a collection of classic games, a historical document and a respectful modernization example.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Gradius Origins 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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Gradius Origins demonstrates that arcade shoot 'em ups are still popular. The audio still sounds good, the graphics are still strong, and the gameplay is still tight. This package celebrates the past while preserving it for the future, and the icing on the cake is Salamander III, a brand-new game that proudly stands beside its predecessors.
Gradius Origins might not be the definitive package some fans were hoping for, but what’s here is still a brilliant celebration of Konami’s classic series. Between the timeless Gradius trilogy, the inventive Salamander spin-offs, and the excellent new Salamander III, it offers both nostalgia and novelty in equal measure, and with generous extras and modern accessibility features rounding out the package, this is an easy recommendation for anyone with a love for shmups.
Gradius Origins features a whole host of classic shmups that will beat the crap out of you, and even an all new one inspired by them.
Salamander 3 is reason enough to get Gradius Origins, and the rest of the games on the list are also well worth sticking around for.
Gradius Origins stands as a masterful work of preservation and a solemn tribute to the genre. The choice not to analyze the individual chapters with modern standards was a deliberate decision, as the collection's nature is intrinsically educational and preservative. The final evaluation, therefore, does not pass judgment on the intrinsic value of the classics, but rather reflects the meticulous work of packaging and refinement. It should be interpreted as a tribute to the restoration of a work of art, without constituting a judgment on the merit of the original painting. M2 has crafted an anthology that, while not all-encompassing, proves to be the definitive testament to the titles it includes. The impeccable emulation, the precious additions aimed at improving the user experience, and the inclusion of a new, unreleased chapter make it an essential purchase for both nostalgic veterans and newcomers eager to explore the roots of one of Konami's most influential and enduring franchises. Despite the understandable disappointment regarding the gaps in the catalog and the concerns raised by the €40 launch price, this collection stands as a faithful homage that celebrates and hands down the history of video games in its purest form.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Gradius Origins is a solid way to revisit or discover some of the best arcade shooters from Konami’s past. It is not a full series collection, but what’s here is put together with care. The quality-of-life features help smooth out the difficulty without removing the challenge, and Salamander III feels like a real bonus instead of filler. I would have liked to see the console and MSX games included, but even without them, there is still a lot to enjoy. If you are into shmups or just curious about the roots of the genre, this is a great place to start.
M2 revives the Konami saga, one of the greatest video game legends, with a comprehensive, in-depth, and curated collection, topped off with a new Salamander installment.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Gradius Origins is ideal for shoot 'em up fans: seven classics, tons of extras, and great technical work. A recommended homage for those looking to relive the saga.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Gradius Origins is a gem of video game preservation, a respectful collection of the original titles that provides all the context we need to enjoy, understand, and study them.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Gradius ORIGINS is a well-crafted collection that goes far beyond simply bringing together older titles: it delivers different and rare versions of the games, a new entry featuring Salamander 3, and an absurd amount of extra content.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
GRADIUS ORIGINS is an essential pack of the shoot'em up history with high quality games and rich quality of life tools. Despite a few issues that should have been avoided, it's the kind of collection that's essential to keep such a valuable videogame history legacy alive.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
When you add up all of the versions included in one single package, as well as quality of life enhancements, sound test mode, and a bunch of extras, there’s no other way to describe Gradius Origins other than a truly magnificent celebration of Konami’s flaship shooter franchise.