I always find that cut scene where a 2nd Vic Viper shows up to be extremely cool. As a religious Gradius fan, seeing that for the first blew my mind. The game even record and mirror your exact play from that early level in the final stage where you're now THE other Vic Viper, how freaking cool!! Treasure is a master at creating these types of moments in shoot-em-ups.
This game adds to Treasures already incredible legacy, and is a prime staple in the horizontal shooter genre imo alongside Einhander, Thunder Force IV, R-Type Delta etc. Forever in my Top 3 favorite Ps2 games. Sad that the genre doesn't get much appreciation despite so much creative and fun design throughout it. I agree that the genre is super rewarding, great video.
Gradius V... a kinda hard game, but very rewarding when you can pull out your leg on it, I was ashamed that I couldn't paly it when it was released, but years later I was able to thanks to the PS3 PS Store, and MUCH later on my own Ps2 that I got after years of dedication at work.
@ 8:01 R-Type Final.. Spoiler(s) alert.. : Features time travel too.. It also brings closure to the Bydo Empire that started in mid 80s and plagued many Video Game Magazines.. Sad thing, it was synchronized with Irem's closure too... (The company that made the R-Type series.. ). It soon closed afterwords..
Gradius V is simply a masterpiece. Single handedly responsible for making me realize, hey, what other great games did I miss out on? Maybe I should start collecting old games instead of comics that sit in a box in my closet. Collecting games, hmmm. That could work.
I’ve been playing graduis since nes n snes days such a great game in 08 I found graduis 5 it wasn’t a disappointment I beat this game still hadn’t unlocked special laser
Treasure worked on this? That explains why it felt so familiar. Treasure also worked on the Silpheed PS2 title and I was getting vibes of that game with this footage too.
Gradius V is though - but the PS2 also got Gradius III+IV and they are painfully unfair. The Japanese PS2 also got DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou which is one of the toughest games in any genre.
Yeah I never heard anything about it when it released, and I was reading a decent amount of gaming magazines at the time. I only found out it existed when it came into a game store I was working at about 5 years ago. Of course I instantly snatched it up for myself lol
Mzo y'know, I never even noticed it. I've always thought I said it like GRAD-ius, which I guess is completely wrong no matter which way you cut it. I'm going to have to start paying more attention to how I say things - either I don't go with my gut and change how I say them because I think I say it wrong (Phantomile) or I don't stick with a consistent version.
My favourite shmup by far. Sad thing is that I never finished it on normal...Mainly due to the hateful regenerating-living-wall which ate up a load of credits! Still gets my palms sweaty even thinking about it now.
That's part took me forever to figure out. The way to deal with it was to fly all the way to the right side of the screen. Somehow the regenerating membrane won't completely catch up to you. Normal scares me...though I've been feeling like I want to dive back in.
***** I think there was a tactic of queueing up your options behind you and burst firing to get through unscathed but I only found that out years later >_< There really is this massive sense of improvement every time you boot this game up & I can honestly say even now I can still remember most of the boss patterns.
Such a great shooter. Easily in my top 5 with a potential to be my number one dependant on mood. I'd suggest Radiant Silvergun or R-Type Final. Also, on Steam, Jamestown is a really nice one too.
You need to play Border Down for the Dreamcast, if you liked Gradius V. It's import only (and expensive), but another fantastic side scrolling shmup. Please review it once you do!
They made sure to let all the hardcore fans know who worked on the game, with the back of the case saying, "It's a TREASURE of Shooting Action!" better then now how everything says "Shoot the core!!" If you want to see a different type of shooter (Bullet Hell) give Mushihimesama Futari on the Xbox 360 a try. It's region free and it has an excellent update on the marketplace called "Black Label" and it's by far my favorite version of the game.
Yup. It's also on iOS and Google Play if your interested. Some people scoff at the price for Black Label on the XBLA shop, but once you tell them how much a physical board for the game is that shuts them up REAL quick.
Mark N I'm not sure how you get it now since the new dashboard update. I'm pretty sure sites should be able to help you out if it's hard to find. Usually how all of the games have the sub menus off the dashboard that will have extra content like avatar costumes and other DLC, it will come up and you can buy it on a North American system.
Great video. Just the info. I needed. Ordered this the other day. Waiting for it to come in. What yall think about that TOAPLAN COLLECTORS EDITION of 4 shmups being re-released for sega genesis. I preordered. Glad I can get these games with out paying high ebay prices. Or would yall rather have original releases?
Great playing. Theres actually a setting in the game called revival start on which makes you complete each checkpoint without dying. I beat the game sloppily on freeplay with revival start off but turning that feature on really opens up the challenge of the game.
***** The regular version is in stock on their own website. That's where I ordered my copy from. www.redspotgames.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=19
I love this kind of games since i first played Gradius III on the Snes, its a cool game and a little hard, but when i meet the arcade version i knew what is really a hard one, thanks for bring me back those good old days man, suscribed now, by the way, is there a chance that you know the Otomedius Excellent? good one to, but kinda hard
I also found the Gradius games way too difficult when I was a kid. Could never get the speed just right; it was either too slow to dodge stuff, or too fast to control accurately.
Duke Jaywalker Yeah, its really hard to get the speed right. I generally found that 2 speed ups is all you'll need. After that, its all about learning and memorization.
Ikaruga is way harder for me. I can beat Gradius 5 on Normal, but cant beat Ikaruga, the furtest that i always got was the round after that rotating boss thing.
I always find that cut scene where a 2nd Vic Viper shows up to be extremely cool. As a religious Gradius fan, seeing that for the first blew my mind. The game even record and mirror your exact play from that early level in the final stage where you're now THE other Vic Viper, how freaking cool!! Treasure is a master at creating these types of moments in shoot-em-ups.
I was so happy that Hitoshi Sakimoto composed the soundtrack for Gradius V. It's my favorite in the series and I even imported the soundtrack :)
Hell yeah, a fellow sakimoto fan
This game adds to Treasures already incredible legacy, and is a prime staple in the horizontal shooter genre imo alongside Einhander, Thunder Force IV, R-Type Delta etc. Forever in my Top 3 favorite Ps2 games. Sad that the genre doesn't get much appreciation despite so much creative and fun design throughout it. I agree that the genre is super rewarding, great video.
Gradius V... a kinda hard game, but very rewarding when you can pull out your leg on it, I was ashamed that I couldn't paly it when it was released, but years later I was able to thanks to the PS3 PS Store, and MUCH later on my own Ps2 that I got after years of dedication at work.
@ 8:01 R-Type Final..
Spoiler(s) alert.. :
Features time travel too..
It also brings closure to the Bydo Empire that started in mid 80s and plagued many Video Game Magazines..
Sad thing, it was synchronized with Irem's closure too... (The company that made the R-Type series.. ). It soon closed afterwords..
Arab Katib Whoa really! Do they travel back in time to the first game or something? That would be bad ass - I think I'll track it down now.
***** Not quite..
Commenting on a 6 year old video to say : you convinced me to get this on the PSN before it closes . Great review!
Great to know, my ps3 just broke. But when I replace it I'll definitely pick this up
Gradius V is simply a masterpiece. Single handedly responsible for making me realize, hey, what other great games did I miss out on? Maybe I should start collecting old games instead of comics that sit in a box in my closet. Collecting games, hmmm. That could work.
I’ve been playing graduis since nes n snes days such a great game in 08 I found graduis 5 it wasn’t a disappointment I beat this game still hadn’t unlocked special laser
As someone who is A) A Treasure fan and B) Bad at Shoot 'em Ups, i understand your plight man. Great video, glad to see Gradius V get some love.
Treasure worked on this? That explains why it felt so familiar. Treasure also worked on the Silpheed PS2 title and I was getting vibes of that game with this footage too.
Gradius V is though - but the PS2 also got Gradius III+IV and they are painfully unfair. The Japanese PS2 also got DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou which is one of the toughest games in any genre.
Masterful soundtrack by hitoshi sakimoto
I'm so awful at these types of games, but UGHHHHHH THEY'RE SO FUN! I really like M.U.S.H.A. but.....never played the real cartridge! Great video!!!!
This game was really incredible when it came out. It was also pretty overlooked. I never met anyone else who bought it on release.
Yeah I never heard anything about it when it released, and I was reading a decent amount of gaming magazines at the time. I only found out it existed when it came into a game store I was working at about 5 years ago. Of course I instantly snatched it up for myself lol
Great game. Wish they’d port it to PC, PS4 and switch.
A Vita port of this game would bring me to Heaven.
Perfect for the Switch!
I like how you start with Grah-dius and end with Gray-dius. I have to make a mental effort to not slip back, too. Wanna say Gray-dius so bad.
Mzo y'know, I never even noticed it. I've always thought I said it like GRAD-ius, which I guess is completely wrong no matter which way you cut it. I'm going to have to start paying more attention to how I say things - either I don't go with my gut and change how I say them because I think I say it wrong (Phantomile) or I don't stick with a consistent version.
My favourite shmup by far. Sad thing is that I never finished it on normal...Mainly due to the hateful regenerating-living-wall which ate up a load of credits! Still gets my palms sweaty even thinking about it now.
That's part took me forever to figure out. The way to deal with it was to fly all the way to the right side of the screen. Somehow the regenerating membrane won't completely catch up to you. Normal scares me...though I've been feeling like I want to dive back in.
***** I think there was a tactic of queueing up your options behind you and burst firing to get through unscathed but I only found that out years later >_< There really is this massive sense of improvement every time you boot this game up & I can honestly say even now I can still remember most of the boss patterns.
Such a great shooter. Easily in my top 5 with a potential to be my number one dependant on mood. I'd suggest Radiant Silvergun or R-Type Final. Also, on Steam, Jamestown is a really nice one too.
Mellow Gaming I thought Jamestown was great. I think i saw somewhere its getting an enhanced PSN release. I'll definitely get that.
You need to play Border Down for the Dreamcast, if you liked Gradius V. It's import only (and expensive), but another fantastic side scrolling shmup. Please review it once you do!
One of the best game soundtracks of all-time, IMO. I was quite disappointed to hear Coury's lack of enthusiasm for it.
Definitely check out R-Type Final on the PS2. There's a ton of unlockable ships.
***** I've seen that around and not too expensive. Will definitely pick that up next time I see it.
I just finished my first Gradius game yesterday: NES Life Force. This looks fabulous, though. I need it.
Congrats Coury, I still to this day have only beat one SHMUP
While easier than most, Sine Mora is a very charming Shoot'em up thanks to its visuals and music. I'd give that a look.
The best shooter I yet to finish .
They made sure to let all the hardcore fans know who worked on the game, with the back of the case saying, "It's a TREASURE of Shooting Action!" better then now how everything says "Shoot the core!!" If you want to see a different type of shooter (Bullet Hell) give Mushihimesama Futari on the Xbox 360 a try. It's region free and it has an excellent update on the marketplace called "Black Label" and it's by far my favorite version of the game.
Arcade Hunters its a Cave shooter right? I'll definitely hunt that down, especially since I'm a sucker for physical copies.. Thanks!
Yup. It's also on iOS and Google Play if your interested. Some people scoff at the price for Black Label on the XBLA shop, but once you tell them how much a physical board for the game is that shuts them up REAL quick.
Arcade Hunters I'm gonna look into this for sure. I've barely played any Cave shooters at all - just the ones that have been released on XBLA
Arcade Hunters
I have a love that game, but how do I get the black label DLC? I am in NA but have a region free copy I imported.
Mark N I'm not sure how you get it now since the new dashboard update. I'm pretty sure sites should be able to help you out if it's hard to find. Usually how all of the games have the sub menus off the dashboard that will have extra content like avatar costumes and other DLC, it will come up and you can buy it on a North American system.
Great video. Just the info. I needed. Ordered this the other day. Waiting for it to come in.
What yall think about that TOAPLAN COLLECTORS EDITION of 4 shmups being re-released for sega genesis. I preordered. Glad I can get these games with out paying high ebay prices. Or would yall rather have original releases?
Great playing. Theres actually a setting in the game called revival start on which makes you complete each checkpoint without dying. I beat the game sloppily on freeplay with revival start off but turning that feature on really opens up the challenge of the game.
I beat this game recently. Woot.
If you like Gradius 5, you should check out Sturmwind on the Dreamcast. They're very similar.
Y0cke wow, this looks absolutely AWESOME. Looks like the big boxset thing is the only version available? I'm definitely going to get this.
*****
The regular version is in stock on their own website. That's where I ordered my copy from. www.redspotgames.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=19
Gradius 4ever! Vic viper 4ever!
I love this kind of games since i first played Gradius III on the Snes, its a cool game and a little hard, but when i meet the arcade version i knew what is really a hard one, thanks for bring me back those good old days man, suscribed now, by the way, is there a chance that you know the Otomedius Excellent? good one to, but kinda hard
Hey Coury did you find this more difficult than ikaruga and r type delta? I'm working through delta now and that is definitely pretty difficult
I also found the Gradius games way too difficult when I was a kid. Could never get the speed just right; it was either too slow to dodge stuff, or too fast to control accurately.
Duke Jaywalker Yeah, its really hard to get the speed right. I generally found that 2 speed ups is all you'll need. After that, its all about learning and memorization.
Excellent review as always
Congrats bud!
Ikaruga is way harder for me.
I can beat Gradius 5 on Normal, but cant beat Ikaruga, the furtest that i always got was the round after that rotating boss thing.
Nah even on easy it's still probably way too difficult for me to complete. 😁
What's the very third shoot em up you showed in the intro at 0:09 ?
ikaruga
or thunder force four
Still a truly awesome game in 2024
Im about to play this now!!
GradiuS, & SaLamandeR, both are my Best FaVoriteS,,,, in Arcade GaMeS,,😄
Super Easy? Cmon, that doesn’t count as a clear.
I can only play shooters on easy or normal modes. No hard modes for me. I can't do it
Gradius III and IV. lol
You know it's a Treasure game when you can complete the game without firing a single shot.