Gradius Origins

“An almost definitive collection for lovers of the series and, as if that were not enough, the new Salamander III is included too. The obsessive care put into every aspect is hugely appreciated, and diehards can finally enjoy a collection that does the arcade games justice.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Konami and M2 have crafted a fine collection here that any fan of Gradius should check out. With three Gradius titles, three Salamander titles, and Life Force here there is a lot of shoot ’em up gameplay to enjoy even if it is hard as heck.”

“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.”

“Don't hesitate to board these ships; the journey will be difficult, but truly beautiful.”

“Gradius Origins is a phenomenal package that has just about everything you could want from one of these. The games included are incredible, they created a new entry just for the collection, and the additions and inclusions are simply amazing.”

“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”

“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.”

“GRADIUS ORIGINS does what it says on the tin. It allows us to play all the Gradius and Gradius adjacent games in one place, either toughing it out or wimping out with the new features.”

“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.”

“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.”

“M2 and Konami deliver a carefully crafted compilation, ideal for arcade nostalgics, where original visuals, classic soundtracks, and Salamander III justify returning to space.”

“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 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.”

“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.”

“A few missing console ports notwithstanding, Gradius Origins is a fantastic collection with a preposterous amount of bonus content. By preserving and enhancing six classic shooters and keeping the IP alive with its own Salamander III, M2 has demonstrated how much it reveres and understands the franchise.”