This is it. The best in the series. If you have to only play one Gradius game, make this one your choice.

User Rating: 9 | Gradius Gaiden PS
First off I'd like to apologize. I own the Gradius Collection on the PSP and I thought the game listed the Gradius games in order of release, therefore I thought Gradius Gaiden came out AFTER Gradius IV. Something I was wrong about. Just would like to clear up that little bit. That being said, let us jump into the review.

As always, the game's concept is simple enough. You are in one of 4 special fighters that needs to defend the planet Gradius from impending forces. You fly around. You shoot things. Rinse. Repeat. That's it. Of course it isn't quite as simple as that, with all sorts of challenges within the game, but that describes the main point of the game.

That being said, the gameplay is top-notch. The upgrade system and power-up system from all the other games makes a return. There is a lack of customizability (well in the form if selecting whichever power ups you want on your ship) which is made up for. This time around, you get to select from 4 different ships, each with a unique look and a very unique weapon set. There are some brand new and very creative weapons that mean that playing as each ship is an experience in itself. The main upgrade here though is the upgrade system itself. Now you can switch around which powerups you can upgrade first with you parts so that you don't have to acquire too many parts to upgrade your most prized powerup. Meaning, you could switch Speed Up with the Option power-up so that you can have multiple option ships early on before upgrading other parts of the ship.

One last added point is that you can now upgrade each weapons twice. So you have the standard unlock that gets you a weapon to use (and functions like the other games). Then you can upgrade it once more to get a powered up version of the weapons that is all-new (for example: you can get the original Ripple Laser, then upgrade it to its max level so that the ripples leave a shadow that does damage too). This adds for much needed firepower against the oft well-armored enemies.

Speaking of which, this game offers the most creativity and variety in the enemies and environments in the series. They are very different and very fun (I especially enjoyed the lava level where the lava makes the rocks move in your way and the plant level that has all sorts of organic life trying to do you in). The bosses are also varied and fun as always, and are definately challenging. Another positive point is that the final boss actually attacks you this time (SURPRISE!), but it still won't put up a fight, and you likely can beat it with a fully downgraded ship...but at least it doens't just sit there and...die, like in the last games (and Gradius IV for that matter).

The stages are still challenging and can be a lot to take in at once sometimes, but it is never unreasonable. The challenge always builds on the skills you develop throughout the game, so it is very fair and thus the challenge is that much more rewarding.

As for graphics, the game is beautiful. It isn't in 3D like its sequel, but it definately does have a very crips, vibrant and detailed look to it that will never fail to dissapoint. At times it can be a little simple, but that is good so that you are able to survive. Still, the game looks absolutely FANTASTIC.

As for sounds, the sound effects are the best in the series. Hands down. The quality is high and though repetetive as always, it is done well and will never get on your nerves. There are times when you'll hear sounds and it will really make you feel like you are in the game. And that is saing something out of this type of game.

The music is also great, but suffers from a level of simplicity the other games do not have. That being said, it still sounds absolutely great and is composed well, but Gradius IV and III offer better experiences here.

Like most games of this genre, this is fairly short. That isn't a bad thing though, as that means you can enjoy it faster, and enjoy it more times. The unique that each ship has also will provide much incentive to play again, just to see how you'll have to approach different situations with the very different weapons of each ship. This is something you don't necessarily have in the other games.

This is a fresh new game in the series that still retains what makes the Gradius games so fun. If you only have one Gradius game to choose from to play, this has to be the one. It is the most fair, yet still the most challenging, the most balanced and has the most variety in the whole series. There is no question about it, this is a must have. Enjoy.

Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
Value: 8/10

OVERALL: 9/10