Sure thing, let’s dive into this twisted knot of Konami’s latest. So Konami, yeah, they’ve kinda botched some stuff in re-releasing those older gems. Like, Silent Hill and Metal Gear “HD” re-dos? Not their finest hour. But lately, especially with these emulation whizzes from M2, things are looking up – like, totally different vibe now.
Just this week, Gradius Origins showed up. And it’s a total blast from the past. Props to M2 again. So, Gradius kicked off in ’85, riding on that side-scrolling shoot-’em-up wave started by Scramble from ’82. We’ve got five main games, some offshoots, and Salamander, which is this side-series doing its own thing with power-ups and screens that flip vertically. Gradius kind of went quiet after 2008 with Gradius ReBirth on WiiWare. Random trivia, but yeah, same crew, M2.
Now, this Gradius Origins is like a love letter to arcade classics. It brings back six of ’em. Notable ones like Gradius, Salamander, Life Force, Gradius 2: Gofer no Yabou, Gradius 3: Densetsu kara Shinwa e, and Salamander 2. Seventeen tweaks in all, and the coolest might just be this Gradius 3 version that only got a spotlight in a 1989 trade show. It’s like digging up some ancient treasure for us retro game enthusiasts.
And here’s a weird thought — invincibility modes and auto-rewind bits let folks redo their failures. So, if Gradius was that one game you just couldn’t conquer, now’s your shot. Plus, find loads of historical goodies, like sketches of early level designs and enemies, high-res art, and, oh yes, the music – that driving boss tune is calling your name.
Attention to detail here is mad. You can even simulate the very bugs from the originals or mess around with CRT filters. Seriously, it’s like a techie retro deep dive.
But here’s the kicker: there’s a brand new game, Salamander 3. This thing looks ripped straight from the late ’90s, mixing sharp sprite graphics with some early 3D effects. Gameplay’s classic Salamander style with side-scrolling and vertical stages, battling those pesky alien ships. It’s familiar but excitingly fresh – nostalgia with a modern twist.
If you’ve ever jammed with Gradius, Nemesis, Salamander, or Life Force, or just love a polished retro game collection, missing Konami and M2’s latest would be a crime. It’s a stunning tribute to an iconic series, even if it’s all about the arcade experiences. Available now, by the way, on Nintendo Switch, PS5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. Go on, relive those glory days.
