Underplayed Gems

GRADIUS ORIGINS (2025)

GRADIUS ORIGINS cover
Developer
KONAMI, M2 Co.,LTD
Publisher
KONAMI
Platforms
Windows
Genres
Action
Rating
4.7 of 5, 283 player ratings
Typical playtime
about 31 hours
Where to get it
Steam

More by M2 Co.,LTD

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A polished compilation of classic arcade shooters with adjustable difficulty and training tools that let you feel the satisfying power-up progression at your own pace.

retro arcadefast-pacedchallengingpower progressionnostalgicprecisemodifiable difficultycollection

What players say

Players praise M2's port for its online leaderboards with replays, CRT filters, and easy modes, but note the series is punishingly difficult, with no easy way to credit feed through. A few report screen tearing on PC, and some wish for Gradius Galaxies.

Screenshots

GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot 1GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot 2GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot 3GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot 4GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot 5GRADIUS ORIGINS screenshot 6

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More by M2 Co.,LTD

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.