Young (maybe?) generation from the 4Gamer community plays "Gladius Origin Collection." What kind of reactions will come out? [TGS2025]
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/895/G089572/20250929019/
Writer: Continental New Order Photographer: Wataru Nagayama | 2025/09/29 04:37 (UTC)
At the Tokyo Game Show 2025 held at Makuhari Messe, KONAMI hosted a stage event for its release “Gradius Origin Collection” (available on PC / PS5 / Xbox Series X|S / Switch). The event featured live gameplay demonstrations by gaming streamer Kosuke and 4Gamer’s Orechi, introducing the title to attendees.
“Gradius Origin Collection” is a compilation that includes the original “Gradius”, released as an arcade game in 1985, along with “Salamander,” “Life Force,” “Gradius II - Gofers’ Ambition-,” “Gradius III - From Legend to Myth-,” “Salamander II,” and the new title “Salamander III.” Including different versions such as the first home console port, “Gradius III AM Show Version,” this collection features a total of 7 titles across 18 distinct versions.
Selecting the original “Gradius” displays all available versions neatly lined up Image Gallery No.002 thumbnail / Young (??) generation from the 4Gamer community playing “Gradius Origin Collection.” What kind of reactions will come out? [TGS2025]
Additionally, the collection offers museum-style features: a “Sound Gallery” with original soundtracks and arranged tracks from past CD releases; a “Visual Gallery” where players can view old instruction cards and development materials; and the “Gradius Encyclopedia,” which lets users examine enemy characters and scores across all titles. Furthermore, new support functions have been added—such as rewind, quick save/load, easy mode, invincibility mode—and various convenience features and a brand-new gameplay mode.
In addition to the original mode, players can select invincibility mode Image Gallery No.003 thumbnail / Young (??) generation from the 4Gamer community playing “Gradius Origin Collection.” What kind of reactions will come out? [TGS2025]
Kosuke and Orechi first played the Japanese ROM version of original “Gradius” and the early Japanese version of “Gradius II.” Having previously experienced “Gradius III,” Orechi gave advice such as, “First increase speed by one level,” “Grab the laser weapon,” and “Increase your options”—offering what seemed like sensible gameplay tips. However, from my perspective—someone who spent countless hours during the late Showa era through early Heisei mastering this series—I found their approach rather disappointing. Why not grab missiles to attack both in mid-air and on land simultaneously? How can one claim it’s difficult or question whether anyone could ever clear it without even performing such basic strategies?
There’s a noticeable lack of logical priority when upgrading power-ups… Image Gallery No.004 thumbnail / Young (??) generation from the 4Gamer community playing “Gradius Origin Collection.” What kind of reactions will come out? [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.005 thumbnail / Young (??) generation from the 4Gamer community playing “Gradius Origin Collection.” What kind of reactions will come out? [TGS2025]
But since they looked so much fun, I suppose it’s okay Image Gallery No.006 thumbnail / Young (??) generation from the 4Gamer community playing “Gradius Origin Collection.” What kind of reactions will come out? [TGS2025]
I had similar frustrations while watching them play the Japanese AM Show Version of “Gradius III” and “Life Force,” but what stood out was their positive comments about the newest title, “Salamander III.” Both stated it felt “easy to play.” In fact, unlike other titles, they managed to clear stages 1 and 2 one after another despite taking damage. This made me realize that while previous entries were enhanced for accessibility, “Salamander III” has been specifically designed so even newcomers can enjoy the series—something quite meaningful in today’s context.
Of course, arcade games traditionally aim to keep players spending coins by repeatedly triggering game over screens, whereas console games, once purchased, incur no further costs. Naturally, their design philosophies differ significantly.
“Salamander III” – not effortless, but clearly smoother than other titles Image Gallery No.007 thumbnail / Young (??) generation from the 4Gamer community playing “Gradius Origin Collection.” What kind of reactions will come out? [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.008 thumbnail / Young (??) generation from the 4Gamer community playing “Gradius Origin Collection.” What kind of reactions will come out? [TGS2025]
In the original “Gradius,” entering the famous “Konami Code” unlocks a playable version of “VS. Gradius,” originally released for the Nintendo VS. System Image Gallery No.009 thumbnail / Young (??) generation from the 4Gamer community playing “Gradius Origin Collection.” What kind of reactions will come out? [TGS2025] Image Gallery No.010 thumbnail / Young (??) generation from the 4Gamer community playing “Gradius Origin Collection.” What kind of reactions will come out? [TGS2025]
Kosuke searching for information about the Konami Code on the spot Image Gallery No.011 thumbnail / Young (??) generation from the 4Gamer community playing “Gradius Origin Collection.” What kind of reactions will come out? [TGS2025]
At the event’s conclusion, Kosuke remarked, “Younger people might find it interesting to ask their parents about ‘Gradius.’ You never know—they might be surprisingly good at it. After turning 20, respect for your parents tends to fade a bit, but playing together could make you go, ‘Wow, that’s amazing!’” Reflecting on my own experience, I found myself thinking, “Ah… yeah, I hope so…”