Konami is returning the legendary Gradius series with Gradius ORIGINS, a collection of classic shoot ’em ups launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox, Switch, and PC (Steam) on August 7. Fans can also grab physical Standard, Classic, and Collector’s editions from Limited Run Games, with pre-orders opening on March 28.
Gradius ORIGINS: A massive collection of arcade history
This collection includes 18 versions across seven arcade titles, making it the most comprehensive Gradius release yet. The Gradius III AM Show Version is coming to home consoles for the first time.
Included titles:
- Gradius (multiple regional versions, including the prototype)
- Salamander III
- Salamander (LIFE FORCE in the West)
- LIFE FORCE (Japanese version)
- Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou (various arcade versions)
- Gradius III: Densetsu kara Shinwa e (including AM Show Version)
- Salamander 2
Quality-of-life improvements and new features
Classic arcade difficulty is intact, but Gradius ORIGINS brings modern enhancements to make the experience smoother:
- Quicksave / Quickload – Save and load at any time.
- Rewind – Undo mistakes instantly.
- Easy Mode – Reduces the ship’s hitbox for a more forgiving experience.
- Invincible Mode – Take hits without losing lives.
- Training Mode – Customise restart points, loop counts, and power-ups to refine your skills.
- Online rankings – Compete with players worldwide and upload gameplay replays.
- Sound and visual galleries – Listen to classic soundtracks and browse original game artwork.
- Additional settings – Tweak arcade board settings, screen filters, and even enable old software bugs for authenticity.
For arcade shooter fans and newcomers alike, Gradius ORIGINS is shaping up to be the definitive way to experience one of gaming’s most legendary series.
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