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GRADIUS ORIGINS is a substantial arcade-focused collection, not a complete archive of every game in the broader Gradius franchise. It brings seven arcade titles together in 18 regional or board versions, adds the new SALAMANDER III, and supplies practical tools for learning demanding classics. Its appeal is strongest for players who want the original arcade lineage and its variants in one modern package; newcomers benefit from rewind and adjustable practice options, while anyone seeking later console or spin-off entries should check the lineup against their own must-plays.
What GRADIUS ORIGINS includes
KONAMI describes the collection as seven arcade titles represented by 18 versions. The games are GRADIUS, GRADIUS II, GRADIUS III, SALAMANDER, LIFE FORCE, SALAMANDER2, and the new SALAMANDER III. That means 18 versions of seven games—not 18 separate titles. The official lineup and platforms are listed on KONAMI’s support page and in the Nintendo listing.
The archive spans regional releases and arcade-board forms rather than presenting one definitive build of each game. Examples include Japanese ROM and Bubble System forms, North American and European versions released as Nemesis, a North American prototype, multiple GRADIUS II revisions, regional GRADIUS III versions including the AM Show version, and regional variants of SALAMANDER and LIFE FORCE. For arcade-history enthusiasts, those distinctions can make the collection more useful than a package containing only one version per game; the listings do not establish that every variant plays radically differently.
How much does SALAMANDER III add?
SALAMANDER III is the collection’s clearest piece of new content: a new series entry alongside the historical arcade games, not simply another regional version. KONAMI’s August 7, 2025 global release announcement describes its 2D sprites and environments and power-ups drawn from the SALAMANDER series. It offers a fresh reason for established fans to look at the package, while the seven-game archive remains the main draw for players interested in the older arcade catalog. The available product information does not establish the game’s length, so it should not be treated as a promise of a particular amount of new play time.
#1 Best Overall
- GRADIUS ORIGINS is region-free on a physical cartridge with Gradius 3 Cover Art.
- Features 18 versions across all 7 arcade titles in the series, including the first-ever appearance of Gradius III AM Show Version on home consoles.
- New modes and features: Quicksave / Quickload, Rewind, Easy Mode, Invincible Mode, Training Mode
- Online Rankings and Leaderboard
Practice tools make the arcade games more approachable
The collection includes several ways to reduce the cost of learning a difficult section or revisiting a favorite. Quick save and load let you preserve a point in a run; rewind lets you back up after a mistake. Easy Mode gives the player a smaller hitbox, and Invincible Mode removes the usual survival pressure. These are optional aids, not evidence that the original games have been made easy.
Training Mode is available in certain versions, not across the entire lineup. Per-game options also let players adjust settings such as restart, loop, and power-up states, alongside arcade-board DIP switches. A filter option and a setting to recreate original software bugs give players control over presentation and fidelity choices. The feature list documents those controls but does not establish pixel-perfect reproduction of every arcade detail.
Rank #2
- GRADIUS ORIGINS is region-free on a physical cartridge with Gradius 2 Cover Art.
- Features 18 versions across all 7 arcade titles in the series, including the first-ever appearance of Gradius III AM Show Version on home consoles.
- New modes and features: Quicksave / Quickload, Rewind, Easy Mode, Invincible Mode, Training Mode
- Online Rankings and Leaderboard
What else is included beyond the games?
Online score rankings accept scores after a game over, and players at the top of the rankings can upload replays. Those are useful additions for score-chasing and comparing runs, but the platform listing makes no promise about leaderboard participation or how long online services will remain active.
The Sound Gallery includes original soundtracks and arrangements from earlier CD releases. The Visual Gallery includes materials such as instruction cards and development resources, while the Gradius Guide offers score tracking and an enemy gallery. Together, these extras make the package more than a set of selectable ROM versions, particularly for players who like reference and archival material alongside the games.
Rank #3
- Official prequel to the cult series: Find out what Simon was up to just before his first magical misstep into the fantasy world, long before he started insulting talking doors.
- A story with heart, humour, and a hat: Between motherly love, a forced move, and a healthy dose of chaos, Simon’s journey to becoming an (unwilling) hero begins.
- Hand-drawn art style & iconic voice: Featuring lovingly hand-drawn graphics and Simon’s original voice, performed by British voice actor Chris Barrie, this feels like a trip back to the ’90s, just with far better resolution.
- Between magic spells and cogs: Classic point-and-click gameplay meets modern mechanics. Solve quirky puzzles, crack ancient mechanisms, and collect (as always) way too many items.
- Sarcasm, slapstick, and eccentric wizards: Encounter bizarre characters, delight in even odder conversations, and revel in Simon’s unmistakable wit: equal parts cheeky banter and “very British” humour.
Is it a good starting point for newcomers?
It can be. The lineup gives a newcomer a concentrated view of the arcade side of the series, while rewind, save/load, reduced-hitbox Easy Mode, and Invincible Mode allow players to choose how much help they want. The guide and enemy gallery can also support learning. Training Mode’s limited availability means it is not a universal practice feature, and these tools do not change the fact that the collection is centered on arcade games.
The key qualification is scope: GRADIUS ORIGINS is not presented as an exhaustive history of every later console game or spin-off. New players who want a broad franchise survey should compare the seven included arcade titles with the specific entries they hope to play before buying.
Rank #4
- Features 18 versions across all 7 arcade titles in the series, including the first-ever appearance of Gradius III AM Show Version on home consoles.
- New modes and features: Quicksave / Quickload, Rewind, Easy Mode, Invincible Mode, Training Mode
- Online Rankings and Leaderboard
Platforms, release timing, and editions
The collection is listed for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Release dates vary by storefront: Nintendo’s US store lists August 7, 2025, Steam lists August 6, 2025, and KONAMI’s global announcement is dated August 7, 2025 while noting that launch timing can vary by platform. These are storefront- and announcement-specific dates, not one universal date.
KONAMI’s Japanese announcement documented packaged standard editions for Switch and PS5, plus a premium box for those platforms; downloads were announced for Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. The sources establish no physical Xbox or PC edition. The premium box contents and announced Japan prices are historical details, not a current or globally applicable offer:
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Best Value
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
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- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
| Japanese edition announced by KONAMI in 2025 | Contents | Announced suggested price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard packaged edition | Game | ¥6,380, including tax |
| Premium box | Game; A2 cloth reproduction of the 1985 arcade poster; GRADIUS ORIGIN COLLECTION OFFICIAL BOOK; clear file; SALAMANDER III instruction cards; two soundtrack CDs | ¥12,980, including tax |
The format and contents are documented in KONAMI’s Japanese release announcement and premium-box announcement. Check the local storefront or retailer for current availability and pricing; the announced Japan suggested prices do not establish what a buyer pays elsewhere today.
Switch-specific considerations
Nintendo lists TV, tabletop, and handheld play, one-to-two players on one system, and a 3.5 GB file size. The listing does not specify which individual games or modes support two players, so that figure should not be read as a guarantee that every title offers the same multiplayer options.
Nintendo cautions that compatibility or play may differ on Switch Lite and that additional accessories may be required in some cases. It does not identify an accessory as necessary for ordinary play. An arcade-style controller may be an optional choice for a more arcade-like setup, but it is not presented as required or endorsed by the listing.
Verdict: who should buy GRADIUS ORIGINS?
GRADIUS ORIGINS is most compelling for arcade-shooter fans who want a broad selection of the series’ arcade lineage, including regional and board variants, plus tools that make practice less punishing. SALAMANDER III gives long-time followers a new entry, and the galleries, guide, score rankings, and configuration options add useful context around the games.
For newcomers, the collection is a workable arcade entry point if its scope matches what they want and they value optional assistance. It is a less certain fit for someone expecting every major Gradius-era release, or a complete franchise retrospective: the official package is specifically seven arcade titles in 18 versions.
Quick Recap
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