GRADIUS ORIGINS

Gradius Origins is a highly praised arcade shooter collection developed by M2 and published by Konami, featuring multiple versions of classic Gradius and Salamander games alongside a brand-new title, Salamander 3. Players appreciate the meticulous attention to detail, faithful arcade ports, and extensive customization options such as training modes, save states, rewind functionality, and accessibility settings that cater to both newcomers and hardcore fans. The inclusion of rare and previously unreleased versions adds significant value, alongside rich extras like artwork, music players, and design documents.

While the core gameplay remains challenging and true to the arcade originals, the collection is noted for its smooth performance and polished presentation, although some users report minor issues like missing vsync options and occasional stutters on high-end displays. The price is considered steep by some, especially given the absence of console ports and later series entries like Gradius IV, V, and Gaiden. Nonetheless, it stands as the definitive way to experience these foundational shmups, with Salamander 3 being a standout new addition that complements the classic lineup.

Highlights

Players laud the collection's faithful arcade ports with multiple versions per game, providing depth and historical context.

The extensive customization and accessibility features, including training modes, save states, rewind, and invincibility modes, make the challenging gameplay approachable.

Salamander 3 is celebrated as a well-crafted new entry that honors the series' legacy.

Extras like concept art, music players, and detailed in-game widgets enhance the overall experience.

Performance is generally smooth, with M2's reputation for quality shining through.

Criticisms

Some players express disappointment over the lack of console ports and missing key titles such as Gradius IV, V, and Gaiden, which limits the collection's completeness.

The price point is considered high by a few, especially when compared to other collections with more content.

Minor technical issues like the absence of in-game vsync settings and occasional stutters on certain hardware are noted.

Salamander 3 lacks some of the accessibility options present in the arcade ports, which some see as a missed opportunity.

Screen filter options and slowdown removal are areas where improvements could be made.