Gradius Origins lands on Switch

A review of Konami's Gradius Origins on Nintendo Switch praising faithful arcade ports and the new Salamander III while noting missing high points.

Gradius Origins Review

Gradius Origins bundles a lineup that includes Gradius 1985, Salamander 1988, Life Force 1988, Gradius II 1988, Gradius III 1989 and Salamander 2 1996, with Salamander III added by M2 as a new entry. The Switch version holds up to the arcade feel with precise input and minimal lag, thanks to M2 and their ShotTriggers approach. The collection also brings in features from the Gadgets suite such as hitbox displays, adjustable HUD options, replays and online leaderboards, plus an easy mode separate from the arcade difficulty.

Salamander III is positioned as the main incentive, delivering a fusion of the series flavors. The package also notes that Gradius IV, Gradius V, Gradius Gaiden and Gradius Rebirth are not included, a noticeable gap for series fans. The collection adds art galleries and music players, and the rewind option on most titles provides a safety net for players chasing the high scores.

This release shows how much care goes into digital preservation when a publisher partners with a porting specialist. It is not simply about reissuing old games; it is about re-creating the feel of a coin op era where quick reflexes and tight controls decide success. Salamander III shifts the balance by offering a new reason to dive in, while the rest of the lineup acts as a museum of Konami shooting history.

Fans get value from the depth of options and the ability to study regional and hardware variations. The absence of major entries highlights how a collection can please some and disappoint others at once. The true test will be whether these kinds of compilations encourage new players to explore the history behind the games rather than simply chase scores.

Highlights

The past lives on when the work is done with care and precision.