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GRADIUS ORIGINS

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GRADIUS ORIGINS Game Cover
93%Game Brain Score
music, gameplay
graphics, optimization
97% User Score Based on 115 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 4 reviews

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GRADIUS ORIGINS Game Cover

About

GRADIUS ORIGINS is a single player and multiplayer arcade shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by M2 Co.,LTD and was released on August 6, 2025. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

GRADIUS ORIGINS is a comprehensive collection of 18 versions from all seven classic arcade titles in the Gradius series, including the rare Gradius III AM Show Version. It features modern enhancements like save states, rewind, Invincible Mode, and a customizable Training Mode to refine your skills. Additionally, it offers a rich gallery of music and images celebrating the franchise's history.

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GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot
GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot
GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot
GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot
GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot
GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot
GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot
GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot
GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot
GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot
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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 115 reviews
music4 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • Gradius Origins is a high-quality compilation that includes multiple versions of classic games, providing a nostalgic experience for fans of the series.
  • The collection features a new game, Salamander III, along with helpful extras like save states, rewind options, and training modes, making it accessible for both new and veteran players.
  • M2's attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in porting these games is evident, with many unique features and a comprehensive list of achievements enhancing the overall experience.
  • The inability to customize button configurations and the high price point may deter some players, especially those who could use emulators to access similar content.
  • Some games, particularly Gradius III, are criticized for their difficulty and design flaws, which may frustrate players unfamiliar with the series.
  • The absence of certain console versions and additional features for Salamander III, such as training modes and widgets, leaves some fans wanting more from the collection.
  • music
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in this collection is widely praised for its iconic soundtracks, featuring both classic tracks and new compositions that enhance the gameplay experience. While the inclusion of a music player with full OSTs and remixes is a highlight, some users noted issues with audio mixing and the lack of individual volume controls for music and sound effects. Overall, the music significantly enriches the nostalgic appeal of the games, making it a standout feature for fans.

    • “This collection is sheer bursting with supplementary material, be it soundtracks, great design arts from the development team, or an intricate training mode to help players improve; everything you would ever need is here and enriches each of these bonafide classics in an immeasurable way.”
    • “Amazing stages, beautiful sprites and excellent soundtrack.”
    • “An awesome collection with some really obscure versions and some great remixes of the classic tunes in the music player.”
    • “- very poor mixing, with the music way lower than the sound effects and no dedicated bar in the options for said music.”
    • “You also cannot individually map volume for the sound effects, music, and voice-- while this is understandable for the arcade ports, I'd say Salamander 3 desperately needs the ability to adjust the individual levels.”
    • “North American version (Life Force) -- uses the same discrete power-ups from Salamander, but has graphical differences, some stage and music changes.”
  • graphics
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the graphics received mixed reviews, with some praising the artwork and animation improvements compared to previous titles, while others noted a lack of fidelity to the original aesthetics. Users appreciated the inclusion of official artwork and design documents, but some felt that the graphics and controls did not advance significantly, particularly in the North American version.

    • “I love Gradius and Salamander, and I've been waiting for this forever. I love the artwork, the music, the gameplay, and there's so much of it all here.”
    • “Quite the jump in both graphics and animation from any of the previous games.”
    • “North American version (Life Force) uses the same discrete power-ups from Salamander, but has graphical differences, some stage and music changes.”
    • “Graphics, audio, and gameplay are all definitely inferior.”
    • “In the arcade version, the controls always felt off, and there is little advancement in the graphics at all.”
    • “I don't like it as much as Salamander 2, but I think it's pretty fun and everyone put their best effort in to make it do justice to the old games, even if the aesthetic isn't quite faithful sometimes.”
  • gameplay
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by responsive controls and classic mechanics, making it a highly replayable experience. While some users note that graphics and audio are inferior, others praise the new music and extensive content, particularly in the modified Japanese version that features unique enemy designs. Overall, the gameplay is well-received, especially by fans of the genre.

    • “Responsive controls, classic gameplay, and achievements to aim for make this one a great and replayable port.”
    • “Great new music, and gameplay!”
    • “I love Gradius and Salamander, and I've been waiting for this forever. I love the artwork, the music, the gameplay, and there's so much of it all here.”
    • “Graphics, audio, and gameplay are all definitely inferior.”
    • “Japanese version -- this is an even more heavily modified version of the US Life Force with all mechanical enemies changed to biological ones.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The games offer significant replayability through multiple unique versions and difficulty loops that encourage players to improve their skills and achieve higher scores. However, some users feel that the novelty can wear off over time, suggesting that additional content could enhance long-term engagement. Overall, while the core gameplay is praised for its responsiveness and classic appeal, opinions on replayability vary based on individual experiences.

    • “Each game loops into a harder version of itself after a clear and provides nigh-infinite replayability as you learn to get better, achieve higher scores, or even knock out a 1cc with enough practice.”
    • “Responsive controls, classic gameplay, and achievements to aim for make this one a great and replayable port.”
    • “All games are playable in several unique versions, such as releases intended for different localities, several versions of Salamander/Life Force with differing upgrade systems, or different hardware architecture versions of the original Gradius, ranging from the original bubble system to a more palatable ROM-based version with less slowdown.”
    • “After a while the novelty wears off and replayability is zero for me... would definitely have been better with more added to the collection as other commenters have stated.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with users noting slight stuttering and choppy performance during fast-scrolling stages. Additionally, some graphical elements, such as the force field in Salamander 2, do not display as intended.

    • “Slight stuttering; fast-scrolling stages are a tad choppy, and the force field in Salamander 2 doesn't flicker as it should.”
    • “The optimization is lacking, leading to noticeable frame drops during intense gameplay.”
    • “I experienced frequent lag spikes that disrupted the flow of the game, making it frustrating to play.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The latest Japanese version has addressed stability issues by fixing glitches related to milking and invincibility. Users with compatible systems, particularly those using NVIDIA cards with G-Sync, report smooth performance without any stability problems.

    • “It runs great on my system.”
    • “The Japanese new version is the second iteration, which includes fixes to prevent milking and remove invincibility glitches.”
    • “As I'm using an NVIDIA card with G-Sync capability, I haven't experienced any of these stability issues at all, nor would I be able to assist in troubleshooting.”
  • story
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story has undergone significant changes, eliciting mixed reactions, with some finding it amusing. Overall, it reflects a strong attachment to the series despite the alterations.

    • “My son thinks that's hilarious, and that's probably one of the nicer reactions to that story, but it does show how much I like the series.”
    • “It also has a completely changed story.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game resonates well with players, particularly appealing to younger audiences, as evidenced by a parent's son finding it hilarious. Additionally, personal anecdotes related to the game, such as a humorous interaction with customer service, highlight the lighthearted and engaging nature of the series.

    • “My son thinks that's hilarious, and that's probably one of the nicer reactions to that story, but it does show how much I like the series.”
    • “It is funny; when I bought that stick, I had to call Victrix as the cable didn't work out of the box. While speaking with the guy, he asked what my favorite game was, and I told him the Gradius series. If I had to pick one, it was always Lifeforce, but I beat all variations of Gradius on the NES, single man, no deaths, never losing my upgrades.”
  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players report that the emotional impact of the game is significant, particularly during intense moments like the final boss fight, where the cries of pain from beloved characters evoke feelings of guilt and moral conflict, enhancing the overall emotional experience.

    • “While the final boss was a good challenge, the cries of pain throughout made me feel like an absolute monster torturing one of my favorite enemies in the series to death.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the collection focuses on promoting original arcade titles, suggesting a nostalgic appeal to players while potentially leveraging their fondness for classic games.

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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews
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GRADIUS ORIGINS is a arcade shooter game with science fiction theme.

GRADIUS ORIGINS is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

GRADIUS ORIGINS was released on August 6, 2025.

GRADIUS ORIGINS was developed by M2 Co.,LTD.

GRADIUS ORIGINS has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its graphics.

GRADIUS ORIGINS is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection, Castlevania Anniversary Collection, Mega Man Legacy Collection, R-Type Final 2, Dodonpachi Resurrection and others.