Gradius Origins Reviews
Konami has partnered with shoot 'em up port experts M2 to deliver one of the best collections the Gradius series has ever received.
M2, 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.
Gradius Origins is a celebration, an act of love for an era when every token was a gamble between you—a clumsy kid—and the universe itself.
Review in Italian | Read full review
As if this commendable rediscovery wasn't enough, M2 enriches the package with a completely original Salamander, 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 into a historical continuity that will delight all fans of the saga.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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
The next collection of retro Konami games is here, and their names are Gradius and Salamander.
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.
I have a soft spot, like a big glowing orange weak point, for arcade-era shoot 'em ups. Not that I'm much good at them, mind. There's j...
Gradius Origins is yet another superb collection of some of Konami’s classics from the 80s and 90s. Including a new game was like a massive, glistening cherry on top that might even steal the show for some fans. The ports all run excellently and even retain some of their old quirks, depending on which version you choose to play. Even when playing on easy, these are still monumentally difficult games.
Whether it's a trip down memory lane or a window on the history of the genre, this is an excellent, though imperfect, compilation.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
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.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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 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.
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.