Play Order
0 / 7 playedMainline in release order, then Gaiden and the collection.
About Gradius
Gradius is Konami's side-scrolling shooter standard: the Vic Viper's power-meter system, Option multiples and memorized bullet curtains, running from the 1985 arcade original through Gradius V (2004). Each sequel adds weapons and cruelty while keeping the core loop identical.
Release order is the difficulty curve: the original teaches the meter, II and III perfect the formula, Gaiden offers the friendliest console entry, and V is Treasure's spectacular finale. The Salamander games share the universe as a parallel line, and the 2025 Origins collection bundles the classics. Every game stands alone apart from the shared war against Bacterion.
Good to know
Home ports vary wildly in quality and content: the arcade versions are the reference, with the Saturn and PS1 ports generally faithful. Gradius Gaiden (1997) never left Japan officially but is import-friendly and often called the best of the 2D entries. The Origins collection from 2025 adds the new Salamander III, making it the practical bundle. No new original Gradius has been announced beyond compilations.
