Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 81 | 74 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 93% | 87 | 146 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Aug 3, 2026) · 2 reviews sampled · 2 total reviews in window · weighted 1.1 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (41)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“M2, famous for its articulate, somewhat surgical approach to porting historical code just right, has done another fine job with Gradius Origins. There's so much polish here it positively gleams, and the overall care, bonus gadgetry and quality of life extras are all impeccably set. Salamander III is the big one, and it delivers, even if it doesn't really push the envelope in terms of originality or visual bombast. It's a shame there are still Gradius absentees in the list, and one day perhaps a truly comprehensive compilation will rear its head. For now, though, it's time to saddle up and destroy the core like never before.”
read full review ↗ - 84
“Gradius ORIGINS is a well-crafted collection that goes far beyond simply bringing together older titles: it delivers different and rare versions of the games, a new entry featuring Salamander 3, and an absurd amount of extra content.”
read full review ↗ - 81
“Gradius Origins stands as a masterful work of preservation and a solemn tribute to the genre. The choice not to analyze the individual chapters with modern standards was a deliberate decision, as the collection's nature is intrinsically educational and preservative. The final evaluation, therefore, does not pass judgment on the intrinsic value of the classics, but rather reflects the meticulous work of packaging and refinement. It should be interpreted as a tribute to the restoration of a work of art, without constituting a judgment on the merit of the original painting. M2 has crafted an anthology that, while not all-encompassing, proves to be the definitive testament to the titles it includes. The impeccable emulation, the precious additions aimed at improving the user experience, and the inclusion of a new, unreleased chapter make it an essential purchase for both nostalgic veterans and newcomers eager to explore the roots of one of Konami's most influential and enduring franchises. Despite the understandable disappointment regarding the gaps in the catalog and the concerns raised by the €40 launch price, this collection stands as a faithful homage that celebrates and hands down the history of video games in its purest form.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The collection provides a huge array of titles with iconic, timeless gameplay, and a brand new title that deftly reinvigorates the franchise. If you like shmups, this one is a must.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“With Gradius Origins, Konami delivers an all-round successful collection that brings together six parts of the series under one roof. By implementing regionally different versions, they go the extra mile to put together a well-rounded package. Browsing through the different versions is fun and reveals the development history behind each individual part. And with Salamander 3, they even deliver a genuine new part that is clearly intended as a tribute to the series' history. The great convenience features are particularly noteworthy. For example, the insert-coin mechanism of classic arcades gives you almost unlimited attempts if you get stuck in the admittedly quite difficult games. In addition, the easy mode and invincibility are real aids to enjoying the games in a much more relaxed way. The icing on the cake is the free save feature and a small rewind function. Unfortunately, Salamander 3 only has an original mode, so at this point at the latest, we have to rely on our skills. Overall, I found Gradius Origins to be a great collection and an exciting journey through the history of the series, which, as it is, ultimately has no major weaknesses.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Side-scrolling space shooters haven't hit the same kind of resurgence, so what we're left with is a series of similar-playing shooters wrapped in a best-in-class collection of features that make them just close enough to playable. I appreciate the level of effort that was made for Gradius Origins, it has been treated with a kind of reverence that makes me think M2 truly cared about preserving these games. That said, in practice it feels more like a niche history lesson rather than a source of deep fun.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Gradius Origins is a phenomenal package that has just about everything you could want from one of these. The games included are incredible, they created a new entry just for the collection, and the additions and inclusions are simply amazing.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Gradius Origins is ideal for shoot 'em up fans: seven classics, tons of extras, and great technical work. A recommended homage for those looking to relive the saga.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“What’s here feels curated with care: It’s both a history lesson and an adrenaline rush in one polished collection.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Konami and M2 have crafted a fine collection here that any fan of Gradius should check out. With three Gradius titles, three Salamander titles, and Life Force here there is a lot of shoot ’em up gameplay to enjoy even if it is hard as heck.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Gradius Origins is yet another superb collection of some of Konami’s classics from the 80s and 90s. Including a new game was like a massive, glistening cherry on top that might even steal the show for some fans. The ports all run excellently and even retain some of their old quirks, depending on which version you choose to play. Even when playing on easy, these are still monumentally difficult games.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Gradius Origins invites us to discover this Martian-killing saga that became popular in 1985 with its arcade releases ranging from Gradius to Salamander II in 1996.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Pizza Fria
Gamesource Italia
Push Square
TestingBuddies
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
Andrenoob
NextGen Player
ThisGenGaming
Niche Gamer
Chicas Gamers…and 29 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- GRADIUS ORIGINS Notice of Update Ver.1.004Aug 3, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- GRADIUS ORIGINS Notice of Update Ver.1.003Dec 23, 2025
- GRADIUS ORIGINS Notice of Update Ver.1.002Nov 4, 2025