Gradius Origins Brings Back Konami’s Iconic Shoot ’Em Ups in Stunning New Collection
About Gradius Origins (also known as Gradius Origin Collection) aims to be the ultimate compendium of classic Konami shmups, developed by M2 and published by Konami. The collection was released worldwide on August 7, 2025 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (via Steam).
What’s Inside the Collection
- Seven Arcade Classics: Includes the original NES and MSX versions of Gradius, as well as Gradius II, III, IV (never released on the PS2), others & then salamander and salamander 2 also a port of Gradius 3 for SNES
- Regional Variants & Rare Builds: Over 18 different versions are included - from Japanese, to US, to European and more; with modern reproductions of the original packaging and specialist booklets for the hardcore Gradius fan!
- Brand-New Entry—Salamander III: Brand new action game from M2 -Experience modern thrills as you take on the unending hordes of the Salamander – dive into new mechanics formation attack shots and utilize useable items! Use hybrid scrolling to make you really feel like they're in a living, breathing world Use power-ups and keep those classic Konami games in their highest possible quality!
Enhanced by Modern Features
- Quality-of-Life Enhancements:
- Quicksave/Quickload
- Rewind functionality
- Invincible Mode
- Training Mode (edit restart points, loop counts, power-up items)
- Cross platform play with online leaderboards
- Exclusive Extras:mpress the band with pick-up missed notes, and unlock videos, easter egg trophies and artwork in an exclusive bonus gallery!
Reception & Highlights
Critics have lauded the faithfulness of the collection’s emulation, wealth of extras and ease-of-navigation:
- COGconnected dubs it “A deep dive into the early days of some of Konami’s most legendary retro arcade shooters” COGconnected.
- Cloud Dosage trumpets its polished presentation, clever tweaks, and the Salamander III as a killer Cloud Dosage.
- NoisyPixel calls it “a masterclass in retro game preservation… an absolute must have for both longtime fans and new” players. Noisy Pixel.
Why Gradius Origins Matters
- Ideal for Both Veterans & New Fans:Enjoy a fresh take on the classics with 4K/120FPS support, or keep it old-school with retro- inspired visuals; This is the perfect way to introduce new players to the genre’s historyificance
- Historical Significance: Games like Gradius set the standard for power-ups and level design that would last forever more or less.
- Legacy Meets Innovation: Combining vintage arcade builds with a fresh new entry, Konami and M2 evoke nostalgia while propelling the series forward.
Conclusion
Gradius Origins is a poignant homage to one of the greatest series’ which ever existed. Its combination of archival comprehensiveness, modern enhancements, and the novelty of Salamander III is an irresistible package for shooter fans — as well as a worthy look-in point for novices.
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