Konami defined the Arcade Space in the 80s between licensed properties and their own in-house titles.

Everything from the Turtles side-scrolling beat-em-up to Frogger, Track & Field, Contra, The Simpsons and a shooter known as Gradius!

The heritage of the company is deeply rooted in Arcade Machines and dingy halls where people spend hours (and quarters) trying to beat their high scores. So it’s something of a wild feeling in 2025 when you can sit on your sofa with a Steam Deck and just play them in the palm of your hand for a one-off fee.

That strange feeling never really goes away and it means, portably, you could even sit in an Arcade Hall if you wanted to and just play, replicating that same feeling you had when you were a kid. The thing I loved about the Gradius Origins collection, though, is just how Arcade-like it feels.

Because something I’ve found with all these re-releases and compilations over the years is that they kind of miss the Arcade-feel. Whether it’s the sound effects or the visuals, sometimes developers have tried to touch and refine these games in a way that they actually lose some of their iconic charm that defined them.

Not Gradius Origins, though. It actually truly felt like I was playing a true recreation of each title, from the crisp, sharp and simple UI that also felt as box’y and simplistic as you’d expect, to the countdowns before you start each run, the sounds of plunging more and more virtual currency in the game to keep playing, even the way the colors pop and shine for each title.

But it’s all of that and also the most comprehensive, faithful homage to the series you could hope for, with a whopping 18 different game variations across 7 different games, from the original Japanese ROMS to modified international releases. And each is fully explained so the player knows exactly what they’re letting themselves in for and what to build up towards.

For instance, some of the early roms are notoriously difficult, even by series standards. So later versions were actually adapted with quality of life updates and even have fewer enemies or you’re not hit as hard. There’s even some never before seen versions that are deemed ‘work in progress’ because balancing is off and some that were only ever seen at trade shows.

This is frankly a collectors dream – and a lot cheaper than surely seeking out each ROM – but the beautiful thing is that each version also plays as you’d hope, from the purposeful slow downs to the seamless integration. And so each variation of the game requires its own strategy – and patience level – to deal with it. But to really add more sauce to the pot, there’s Original, Easy and even Invincible modes on some games, meaning you can play them as intended or try to take it a bit easier on yourself.

And all games have online rankings, which is another massive thing entirely!

But as you’d come to expect from compilations such as this, there’s Quickload and Quicksaves, as well as the option to change your screen sizes and positions with wallpaper. You can rewind the game, do full key binding changes, add in different gadgets that update the UI to show how many ships you have left or duality of shields. There’s even a Training Mode so you can try to hone and perfect your skills.

The thing I really appreciate, though, is seeing the evolution and difference of each ROM. From the lengthy load ups, screen corruptions, even the sound effects and different attack patterns you have to contend against. From audio announcements, to little chip-tunes, you’re literally watching a franchise evolve in real time, right up to Salamander III, which is the definitive culmination of the series.

And it goes for experimentation too. From the very first Gradius, it starts simply enough as you gradually destroy enemies, pick up different coloured collectibles and adjust the weapon you use, from missiles to lasers and multi-directional fire. It really depicts this element of getting stronger from the more vessels and enemies you defeat, so you can then go on to fight the sub and major bosses.

Enemies also start out quite simply by just being rival aircraft and cogs, but eventually become these ferocious entities with piercing eyes, probing arms, made out steel and flesh, covering the entire screen in projectiles, ready to punish you for the slightest mistake.

And make no mistake, these games are really tough. They’re going to require expert timing, skill, attention and focus to just stay alive but to make progress, you’re also going to need a lot of patience. Which means they won’t be for everyone and that is definitely a challenge this compilation has. While the restoration is fantastic and second to none, this is appealing to a hyper, specific niche audience and may not really be able to draw in new crowds.

Perhaps that’s ok, as those who were in the arcades back in the 80s or have fond memories of this particular era of side-scrolling shooting are best positioned to get maximum playtime and enjoyment out of this collection. For everyone else, it’s at least as authentic a trip to the era as you can find out there, really replicating that sense of what it felt like to play these arcades but also how brutal they genuinely are.

The thing that really impresses about the Gradius games, though, is the shifting in perspective. From side-scrolling to top-down in an instant, the games make these transitions beautifully and it not only keeps you on your toes in a way that you have to adapt to altering angles of play, but it also keeps the game fresh, interesting and presents you with some genuinely fun and interesting battles.

But these games are brutal and so tough to get through. You’re often victim to random, stray, tiniest of tiny bullets that implode you in a hit and you’re constantly battling screens worth of enemies that will take pot shots and creep up on you from different angles, which is why the Gradius – and Salamander games – really do force you to adapt unexpectedly.

Fortunately, the music is really energising with pulse-pounding beats, dramatic flare, slow-tempo sinisiter sequences and everything in between. You’ll find yourself bopping along one minute, then feel your heart racing the next. The music really plays such a pivotal role in placing you in these games but also helping you visualise the products of their respective eras. As do the fantastic sound effects, that, in this context, feel completely timeless.

The thing that might surprise players is just how faithful this Origins port is to the Arcade and less home consoles, but the clue is most definitely in the name. You won’t find Gradius IV here or the SNES / Genesis ports of these classic games – which might be more familiar to some gamers – but you will find an excellent collection of games, restored masterfully and deftly in a truly definitive, quality collection.

These games are treasures that deserve this level of restoration and respect and to be preserved in such a wonderful way. While the price might seem offputting to some, for what’s included – and the types of games that are, some never before or rarely seen – you’re getting a true must have for fans and those who appreciate good quality shooting games that have surprisingly stood well against the test of time.

Simply put, it’s a fantastic collection and I hope we see more!

Verdict

Gradius Origins is a masterful collection of quality arcade shooters that has been wonderfully restored and preserved in a collection that is filled with options and truly is a treasure trove for hardcore fans. Each version feels different and has been given the type of respect befitting the title, and while the difficulty is absolutely brutal and likely to be off-putting for some, the games themselves hold up surprisingly well with shifting perspectives and weapon / loadout variety and the way in which they feel ripped straight from the arcades. A fantastic selection and a must-have for fans and arcade purists.

Gradius Origns is out now on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Switch 1

Played on Steam Deck

Code kindly provided by Konami for review purposes