Gradius/Salamander Best Versions: NES, PCE, Sat/PS1

[o.pwuaioc]

I've been considering buying the Gradius Deluxe Pack and the Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus for either Saturn or PS1 (leaning Saturn as I always do for my imports). I own the NES versions (Gradius, Gradius II, Salamander), but lately too the PC Engine versions have been on my radar. I checked the old threads (some going back to 2007), and there seems to be a mixture of opinion without a lot of consensus. So what's considered the definitive version? Is there any reason to get any other version than that version? What's easiest, most difficult? Are there any others besides these three I should consider? No MAME, please.

[BIL]

I prefer the PS1 versions of both Gradius and Salamander Deluxe Packs. Saturn has to run the older games (ie everything but Salamander 2) in a squashed resolution. They're significantly rarer and costlier on PS1, unfortunately.

[MintyTheCat]

Tbh I quite like the NES/famicom and the PCE versions. I have not tried the PS1 and Saturn ports as yet.

I did notice a fair amount of slow down on the PCE version of Gradius 1 on the Moei Heads stage.

[o.pwuaioc]

Added poll in case some people aren't too talkative.

[davyK]

NES Gradius is a great old port. It feels like the arcade game which is the main thing - played it to death - however it does have flicker and slowdown in places so if you are after accuracy you need to go 32bit.

Don't have the PS1 version but can only say that the Saturn versions seem really solid. I recall a "Saturn" difficulty level too - perhaps that is replicated in the PS1 version? The Saturn version also has selectable slowdown on one of the discs. Again that is probably present on the PS1 too.

Posters have said there is an issue with the resolution of the Saturn version. That may be true but as far as I can see the games look fine - you certainly don't get any feeling of the graphics being squashed - it has been a LONG time since I played Gradius in the arcade!!. There are different screen size settings in the options - not sure what the significance of that is though.

[Perikles]

I vastly prefer the PCE Salamander over the arcade version (decidedly more accurate hit detection, reworked shield mechanic that actually renders it useful, a generous extend rate, perfectly manageable checkpoints even on higher loops, overall better design in general and namely on the fourth boss), whereas I'm a bit mixed on Gradius. The PCE Gradius adds a new stage (and so does Gradius II) that's really fun, additionally the loops get successively more difficult instead of the drastic increase that comes with the second loop in the arcade version, but the original Gradius (at least as it is represented on the PS1, that's the 32-bit version I own) doesn't slow down or flicker as much as the PCE conversion, and that added end song is a thing of sheer beauty.

Both NES ports are fine games, too; obviously somewhat compromised, yet still great fun. I wouldn't rank them as high as the PCE ports, however.

At the end of the day it depends on what you're looking for. If you want experiences that are somewhat comparable to the arcade versions you're probably better off getting the 32-bit ports since the other versions differ quite a bit (particularly the PCE Salamander) from their original source. I personally think that the 8/16-bit ports (I regard the PCE as a 16-bit console) are just as worthy, sometimes even better, but it all boils down to personal preferences. I certainly wouldn't dare to call the PCE Salamander the definitive version even though I do think that it eradicates quite a few irksome traits of the original game, I do highly recommend checking out, though.

[o.pwuaioc]

Thanks for the opinions. How bad is the flicker in the PC Engine games, maybe compared to other shooters on the system rather than the arcade?

[Pretas]

Gradius II's definitive version is on the PCE-CD. It's essentially arcade perfect and has a completely new stage. On default settings it's a bit easier than the arcade version, but you can crank it up to match it.

[Perikles]

Gradius has a few significant trouble spots here and there (namely the stage with all those tentacle golems; to be fair: that's a problem with the original arcade release as well), but it never gets as bad as, say, W-Ring where it's almost impossible to see some of the bullets. All the other PCE Konami titles (Detana!! TwinBee, Gradius II, Parodius Da!, Salamander) are only slightly affected by it, if at all. Gradius II does have some load times between stages, though.

Gradius II's definitive version is on the PCE-CD. It's essentially arcade perfect and has a completely new stage.

You can indefinitely milk the boss rush on account of the more generous extend rate, however. Second loop is also way easier and I'd wager this is true for the subsequent loops as well.

[SuperDeadite]

If arcade accuracy is what you are after I say X68000 wins for Gradius II and Salamander. There is also a fan patched version of X68 Gradius which makes it pretty much spot on with the arcade.

PCE Salamander is a must play though, as it was heavily reworked, play it on Expert right from the start and you are in for a treat.