Review: Gradius Origins — An Immortal Rocket Game’s Memories
A Pixel-Perfect Collection of Seven Games — Plus a Brand-New Title
Konami isn’t just a developer with over 50 years of history filled with highs and lows. The Gradius arcade-style shoot-’em-up series is reaching its fourth decade. With classic titles like Castlevania and Metal Gear Solid already remastered, this year is a perfect time to give Gradius its own spotlight.
In Gradius, we pilot the Vic Viper to protect the universe, experiencing a side-scrolling format that stood out from the top-down shooting games of its time. It also spawned spin-offs like SALAMANDER, which mixed in vertical scrolling and even co-op back then, plus the parody Parodius by Konami.
Seven Classic Games and One Brand-New One, Across Eighteen Versions
This collection includes seven titles—six classics and one brand-new game. They are neatly arranged in the menu and include the core trilogy (Gradius 1–3), SALAMANDER 1–2, and Life Force, an enhanced version of the original.
You can choose from eighteen different versions which include regional variants—Europe, U.S., or Japan—with no new translations. This preserves the authentic feel of the originals. Although that means some, like Salamander 2, don’t include in-game intros, the gameplay remains straightforward: just shoot until you win.
The real bonus lies in the inclusion of prototype (“Early/Old”) versions that most gamers—over 80%—haven’t experienced. It lets us peek into how these beloved classics evolved during development—a treat for true fans.
Pixel-Perfect Presentation That’s Also Approachable
All the games are displayed in pixel-perfect resolution, maintaining original aspect ratios. There’s even a CRT filter to mimic old-school tube TV visuals. Barring those hopes for nostalgic bugs, the experience is smooth and faithful. Unless you push the game into glitch territory, it plays seamlessly.
Quality-of-Life features make it accessible: state-based save/load lets you save before a tough boss and retry. There’s a Rewind feature like in other retro collections. Novices can enable “Easy Mode” or Infinity Lives, making it possible for players of any skill level to reach the end.
A Nostalgic Gallery of Artwork and Sound
If pixel fidelity isn’t enough, you can explore a gallery filled with clear, high-res artwork spanning the entire series, including rare pieces remembered from old game magazines. You can also listen to the complete soundtrack across all games, including previously unused BGM—great for a long playlist session.
This gallery truly takes you back to the roots of the Gradius universe.
SALAMANDER III — A Revived Classic
Interestingly, the collection features a brand-new title, SALAMANDER III, developed after 29 years. This isn’t a remake—it has a fresh story, new stages, new music, and new enemies. It’s treated almost as a standalone game.
The gameplay remains side-scrolling, with gritty art and intense visuals. You fight a spreading demon army in a complete run-through of around 20–25 minutes—no QoL features here, no Easy Mode, no rewinds.
Co-op is available, making it slightly more accessible. The graphics come in modern 16-bit pixel art, layered with depth and parallax. I personally preferred the bitmapped 3D sprite style of Salamander II, but III delivers tight, responsive controls that make up for it. Despite feeling like a bonus rather than a full-blown premium title, each playthrough brings fresh challenges.
Gradius Origins also comes with a gallery that takes us back to the beginning.
Gradius Origins is an exceptional retro collection. From the thoughtful QoL features to the inclusion of a brand-new game, this compendium honors its legacy in a way few other collections match. It offers not just archival preservation for longtime fans, but an inviting introduction for newcomers. It overloads the nostalgia-drip with polished presentation, and a touch of modern convenience.
If you’re curious, grab it now—it’s available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Suit up and defend the cosmos once more with seven full games.
Final Thought
This collection strikes a balance between reverence for the past and accessibility for modern players. Including SALAMANDER III is a bold move: it ties the old with the new, grounded enough for nostalgia but fresh enough to feel alive. While purists might lament the absence of titles like Gradius IV or Gaiden, this edition delivers on quality and passion. It’s a reminder that classic games still wink at us, begging to be rediscovered.
