It's a great nostalgic experience, but...
The opening presentation:
Now honestly, I wasn't really too much interested in the current storyline, but I have to say that the pictures were really nice, especially the Vic Viper scene when he's launches off. Just beautiful and awesome. Now, there's a option of choosing a total of three different types of ships. This really disappointed me, since they took away the editing portion that was in Gradius III. Also another portion they took away from the game was the 2 player mode. Now I know that Gradius III was practically a 1 player, but they did have a 2nd player where you have to take turns instead of working together as a team.
6.5/10
Gameplay:
Ah yes, this is the classical feel of Gradius. You're off slow at the start, but you slowly build up as you collect power-ups when you progress through the game. Let me be the first to say that if you're new to the Gradius series, then prepare for a beating. This game is HARD!!! Even on the default difficulty setting you'll find yourself weaving through levels and struggling to survive. One hit and you're dead, unless you manage to get a force field, but that depends on the ship you get. Now, this is what I really don't like in Gradius. If you're blown up, you're sent back to a checkpoint of the stage with all of your upgrades gone. There's the cheat to obtain your options (up up down down left right left right B. A), but that's limited. Other than that, you'll be struggling to obtain your powerups again through the merciless hoards of enemies trying to kill you. If you're good at this game, they maybe you won't have a problem. Other than that, this is probably the major flaw of the game. But hey, it's Gradius. Who doesn't want a challenge?
7/10
Soundtrack:
Yes! The music is just awesome on this game! Any retro gamer will recognize any of the rearranged tracks of this game. Although I've heard that there were some unused soundtracks that were left out the game, but ah well.
8/10
Graphics:
Yeah, this game has pretty great uses of the 16-bit graphics. The game just looks great all the way through. Even the bosses look just completely awesome. Although there are a lot of recycled areas from previous Gradius games. I guess that's what kinda brings it down a bit.
7/10
Replay Value:
For most casual gamers, this will be a turn off. But, if you're a hardcore gamer, this you may find yourself replaying this game again, even with the few unlockables they have here.
7/10
Overall:
7.5/10