Legendary shoot 'em up series in one collection: Gradius Origins is a shmup feast for retro fans.
R-Type, Katakis, Xenon 2 – especially the 80s and 90s brought many legendary shoot 'em ups. The Gradius series was among them. Konami now presents Gradius Origins: a collection featuring 18 versions of all 7 arcade titles in the series – including the brand-new Salamander 3. Here’s an overview of the contents.
With Gradius Origins, publisher Konami and developer M2 bring back one of the most influential shoot 'em up series in video game history in a comprehensive and user-friendly collection. This game bundle not only includes classic, carefully restored arcade hits but also a brand-new entry as a series spin-off: Salamander 3. A true premiere! Here's the (sadly rather short) launch trailer for the game.
These games are included in Gradius Origins
1. Salamander III
A completely new entry in the series and essentially the centerpiece of the collection. Developed in the classic style but with modern polish.
2. Gradius
Included in five versions:
- Japanese original ROM
- Bubble System version
- US version under the title Nemesis
- European Nemesis version
- A never-released US prototype version
3. Salamander
In two versions:
- Japanese original version
- US version under the name Life Force
4. Life Force
The standalone Japanese version with enhanced graphics and sound
5. Gradius II: GOFER no Yabou
Four versions included:
- Early, mid, and late Japanese arcade versions
- International version under the name Vulcan Venture
6. Gradius III: From Legend to Myth
Four different versions:
- Old and new Japanese arcade versions
- Asia version
- AM Show prototype – available for home consoles/PC for the first time
7. Salamander 2
Two versions:
- Japanese arcade version
- Overseas version, previously unreleased
Features & Highlights
New content: With Salamander 3, fans finally get fresh content for the series.
Historical depth: Each game version brings its own differences in gameplay, graphics, and music. Arcade veterans will feel right at home with Gradius Origins.
Comfort features: Rewind function, save states, training modes, optional cheat options, and online leaderboards offer modern convenience.
Archive mode: A huge gallery of artworks, music, and documents adds impressive historical context to your collection of classics.
Gradius Origins: A detailed review by Digital Foundry
The gaming tech channel Digital Foundry presents Gradius Origins in detail and with obvious enthusiasm in its retro segment. The collection clearly resonated with DF Retro ambassador John Linneman. Learn more about the history of Gradius and Salamander, the new features, listen to the excellent retro music, and above all, enjoy the gameplay scenes from the many titles.