The engines have ignited and a legendary name in the annals of shoot ’em up history has returned in a definitive new collection – GRADIUS ORIGINS.
GRADIUS ORIGINS, a compilation of the earliest and most influential games in the iconic series, has launched today, August 7th, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.
From the masters at Konami, this collection is available now for £32.98 from the Xbox Store. Other store prices may vary ever so slightly.
Return to the 80s, Return to the Fight
This isn’t just a simple port; it’s a lovingly crafted package that not only brings seven classic games (with 18 regional versions) to modern hardware but also includes a brand-new entry in the franchise, SALAMANDER III, all enhanced with a host of modern quality-of-life features.
GRADIUS ORIGINS takes players back to the very beginning of the franchise, celebrating the 2D shoot ’em up classics that defined a generation of arcade and home console gaming in the 1980s and 1990s.
The collection is a treasure trove for fans, featuring a huge number of titles and their various regional versions, including one version of GRADIUS never-before released outside of Japan.
The full title line-up includes:
- GRADIUS (including JP ver, Bubble System ver, NEMESIS NA/EU/Proto ver)
- GRADIUS II (including Gofer no Yabou JP Early/Mid/Late ver, VULCAN VENTURE NA ver)
- GRADIUS III (including Densetsu kara Shinwa e JP Old/New ver, ASIAN ver, JP AM Show ver)
- SALAMANDER (including JP ver, LIFE FORCE NA ver)
- LIFE FORCE (including JP ver)
- SALAMANDER 2 (including JP ver)
A Brand-New Mission: SALAMANDER III
The most exciting part of this collection for long-time fans is the introduction of SALAMANDER III, a brand-new entry in the beloved sister series.
Staying true to the classic aesthetics, SALAMANDER III features gorgeous 2D sprites and backgrounds as players traverse dangerous new stages, using the iconic power-ups from the SALAMANDER games.
Modern Enhancements for a Classic Challenge
Konami has packed GRADIUS ORIGINS with a host of modern quality-of-life improvements to make these tough-as-nails classics more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
- Quicksave & Quickload: Save and load your game at any point during gameplay.
- Rewind: Made a mistake? Just rewind the gameplay wherever and whenever you want.
- Easy & Invincible Modes: Reduce your ship’s hitbox to make the game easier, or make your ship impervious to enemy fire to just enjoy the ride.
- Training Mode: Hone your skills by adjusting settings like restart points, loop counts, and power-up statuses.
- Online Rankings: Add your score to the global leaderboards and upload a replay of your game to show off your skills.
- Sound & Visual Galleries: Listen to the original soundtracks and arrangements from each title, and view the games’ original instruction cards and developmental resources.
You can also adjust various settings, including arcade board DIP switches, screen filters, and even recreate software bugs from the original releases for a truly authentic experience.
Key Features
- A Definitive Collection: Features 7 classic games from the GRADIUS and SALAMANDER series, with 18 different regional versions.
- Includes the BRAND-NEW SALAMANDER III: The first new entry in the franchise in over a decade.
- Massive Quality-of-Life Improvements: Including Quicksave, Rewind, Easy Mode, Invincible Mode, and a detailed Training Mode.
- Competitive Online Rankings: Compete on global leaderboards and upload your replays.
- Extensive Bonus Content: Features full Sound and Visual Galleries with original soundtracks, concept art, and more.
This is a celebration of a true gaming legacy, now made more accessible and feature-rich than ever before.
Is GRADIUS ORIGINS on Game Pass or Play Anywhere?
At launch, GRADIUS ORIGINS is not available on Game Pass. Whether that changes going forward, no one will truly know, but we’ll be sure to let you know should it ever drop onto the subscription service. For now, you’ll have to splash the cash over at the usual digital storefronts.
It is not available to play via Xbox Play Anywhere either, and further to that, GRADIUS ORIGINS is not playable on Xbox One.
However, whether you’re a veteran pilot who grew up with these classics or a newcomer ready to experience the origins of a legendary series, GRADIUS ORIGINS is ready for deployment on Xbox Series X|S through the Xbox Store and other digital platforms right now.
It’s time to power up the Vic Viper!
Game Description
This collection 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.
