Salamander III announced for Gradius Origins for Switch [by M2] - Coming August 7, 2025

[Ms. Tea]

Did a first run of Salamander III last night. Fun game! It's funny, my first impression is that it's much busier than the older games; visually busier, going heavier on the bullets. I guess it makes sense as a slightly more modern take on the format, but it makes for an interesting contrast with Salamander 1 and 2.

[Firehawke]

Does the Switch port of Gradius Origins have the usual frame lag (meaning on the Switch 1 setup)?

While I don't have the Switch version to be able to tell you definitively, I can tell you that it's going to have at least a little over the PC version due to Nintendo's apparent requirements. Knowing M2's usual skills, it'll be maybe 1-2 frames over PC, which is still considerably better than average. This has been the case over the last several M2 releases, so it should still be the case now.

And does GO run on a Steam Deck setup without any external mods/filters necessary?

I play on both a desktop PC (RTX 4070 Ti Super, 144Hz G-Sync monitor) and a Steam Deck. It runs fine on both, no issues other than the widgets being kind of nigh-impossible to read on a small screen (though I'd imagine the Switch Lite is far, FAR worse..)

I've got over 12 hours into the collection on both devices already, no issues.

[Kiken]

Does the Switch port of Gradius Origins have the usual frame lag (meaning on the Switch 1 setup)?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

I've been playing this on Switch 1 and can confirm it includes the bonus input delay frame. It's far from unplayable but definitely feels loose.

[MSZ]

I was looking at the online rankings, there was a 22 loops run on GII already, that's bonkers.

[Restart_Point]

Just found out about the hidden VS. (NES) version of Gradius 1 and unlocked it with UUDDLRLRBA. Really good version......makes you wonder if there's any more unique versions on here eh? Now we know that a NES emulator is in the package. Aaaaaaaaaaand MSX, PC Engine, SNES, X68000 hmmmm? Famicom Gradius 2 would be fantastic

There's also a hidden version of Salamander 1 with power-up tokens

[Firehawke]

Datamining has pretty much confirmed that we've seen all of the unlocks at this point. For MSX, FC/NES, SFC/SNES, PCE, etc, we'll just have to wait for the next collection.

That's almost 100% assured; if Castlevania got three collections, Gradius will get at least two. It doesn't hurt that it's apparently above 90% positive review score on Steam.

[AGermanArtist]

It's had a lot more attention than I ever thought it would and the comments I've seen have been many and very positive.
Let's hope it sells well enough to warrant a follow up.
Let's do a list to avoid a bunch of posts
Gradius 4
Gradius Gaiden
Solar Assault
Gradius 5
Unlocks
Nemesis 90 Kai
Gradius/Salamander PC-E/Gradius Advance

Gradius Rebirth 2

[MJR]

Gave up and splurged the 39.99€ despite being pretty poor at the moment.

Gradius 1, 2 and Salamander were all impeccably emulated, and first time I played "properly" arcade Salamander 2 (never bothered to try it on mame). What I liked most was that on Gradius 2, the gamma levels and colors matched how I remember the arcade, especially on stage 2 (PS1 version had it always wrong). Salamander 2 looked loads better too, though the game felt different - it gave me much more shields than the PS1 version (not a bad thing), and Stage 5 boss gave me more trouble (not necessarily bad thing either). What confused me was the achievement about hidden Stage 4 boss on Salamander 2 - I did not know such thing existed??

Salamander 3 was very nice, though when I credit fed it, it didn't quite impress me the same way as original arcade games did. Then again I'm not sure if that's fair, probably nothing could. But it felt kinda chaotic and messy, though perhaps it will improve if I play it more.

Gradius 3 AM show version was definitely very interesting.. and yes, it definitely bitch slapped me like I remember these games doing in when trying for the first time X)

[Lord British]

It's had a lot more attention than I ever thought it would and the comments I've seen have been many and very positive.
Let's hope it sells well enough to warrant a follow up.
Let's do a list to avoid a bunch of posts
Gradius 4
Gradius Gaiden
Solar Assault
Gradius 5
Unlocks
Nemesis 90 Kai
Gradius/Salamander PC-E/Gradius Advance

Gradius Rebirth 2

Why not the Parodius games?

[AGermanArtist]

Separate collection, surely? Like the PSP collections. Maybe we'll see those eventually.

[Jonpachi]

It's had a lot more attention than I ever thought it would and the comments I've seen have been many and very positive.
Let's hope it sells well enough to warrant a follow up.
Let's do a list to avoid a bunch of posts
Gradius 4
Gradius Gaiden
Solar Assault
Gradius 5
Unlocks
Nemesis 90 Kai
Gradius/Salamander PC-E/Gradius Advance

Gradius Rebirth 2

Don’t forget Interstellar Assault and Galaxies.

[OldSkoolShmuper]

It's had a lot more attention than I ever thought it would and the comments I've seen have been many and very positive.
Let's hope it sells well enough to warrant a follow up.
Let's do a list to avoid a bunch of posts
Gradius 4
Gradius Gaiden
Solar Assault
Gradius 5
Unlocks
Nemesis 90 Kai
Gradius/Salamander PC-E/Gradius Advance

Gradius Rebirth 2

I would definitely purchase such a collection.

[Sweatlord_STG]

It's had a lot more attention than I ever thought it would and the comments I've seen have been many and very positive.
Let's hope it sells well enough to warrant a follow up.
Let's do a list to avoid a bunch of posts
Gradius 4
Gradius Gaiden
Solar Assault
Gradius 5
Unlocks
Nemesis 90 Kai
Gradius/Salamander PC-E/Gradius Advance

Gradius Rebirth 2

Rebirth 2? Your collection doesn't even include rebirth 1.

And Gradius GBA as an unlockable? That game is super awesome. Same with nemesis 90 Kai. Those games shouldn't be treated as shitty little unlockables.

It's had a lot more attention than I ever thought it would and the comments I've seen have been many and very positive.
Let's hope it sells well enough to warrant a follow up.
Let's do a list to avoid a bunch of posts
Gradius 4
Gradius Gaiden
Solar Assault
Gradius 5
Unlocks
Nemesis 90 Kai
Gradius/Salamander PC-E/Gradius Advance

Gradius Rebirth 2

Why not the Parodius games?

The Parodius games are not part of the Gradius series iirc.

[Lord British]

It's had a lot more attention than I ever thought it would and the comments I've seen have been many and very positive.
Let's hope it sells well enough to warrant a follow up.
Let's do a list to avoid a bunch of posts
Gradius 4
Gradius Gaiden
Solar Assault
Gradius 5
Unlocks
Nemesis 90 Kai
Gradius/Salamander PC-E/Gradius Advance

Gradius Rebirth 2

Rebirth 2? Your collection doesn't even include rebirth 1.

And Gradius GBA as an unlockable? That game is super awesome. Same with nemesis 90 Kai. Those games shouldn't be treated as shitty little unlockables.

It's had a lot more attention than I ever thought it would and the comments I've seen have been many and very positive.
Let's hope it sells well enough to warrant a follow up.
Let's do a list to avoid a bunch of posts
Gradius 4
Gradius Gaiden
Solar Assault
Gradius 5
Unlocks
Nemesis 90 Kai
Gradius/Salamander PC-E/Gradius Advance

Gradius Rebirth 2

Why not the Parodius games?

The Parodius games are not part of the Gradius series iirc.

I dunno. Add Otromedius and you have the full "dius" series.

Hopefully they do it, I don't see why not.

[Klatrymadon]

If they get around to finishing the port of IV they can sell me that on its own, no problem.

(Seriously, the Hornet sounds and looks like a fucking nightmare.)

[OldSkoolShmuper]

Lets face it, another Gradius collection might be the only way we might get a Gradius 6.

I mean, who thought we'd ever get Salamander III almost 30 years after Salamander 2.

[kid aphex]

The idea of having Gaiden and an UpRes'd Gradius V on the same disc gives me a reason to live.

[Sweatlord_STG]

I just looked at the achievements and every single one says "(you may use the rewind and quickload features)" - SO BRAINDEAD -.-

[AGermanArtist]

It would be more likely (if at all) that Gradius Rebirth is re-released in a collection with the other Rebirth games.
I only used the Rebirth name to refer to another new M2 Gradius game in the next collection. Around Rebirth's release, M2 did say that they were working on a Salamander Rebirth, which Konami cancelled. So, it's likely that this is what found its way to Salamander III, given that we've been told that the Origins collection was produced under strict time constraints.
I'd love it if every single Gradius related game was released, but that's not going to happen either, unless Konami decides to release a DLC for Origins. if an Origins 2 were to happen, it's likely going to be a similar number of games, so my list is what I thought would be realistic to expect, especially since M2 said that Origins was meant to include Gradius IV and Solar Assault, citing performance issues with the Switch version. Given what we've seen so far, if Solar Assault were to be released, it's likely we'd see all 3 versions included.
My assertions are based on the 2 relatively lengthy interviews Konami/M2 did in the Japanese press in the run up to Origins' release, with the latter Famitsu intervew wherein it was hinted that a follow up was dependant on Origins' success, with both parties teasing what to expect.
It's also possible that there would be no new game and Gradius V is re-released singularly at full price with enhancements.

[Bassa-Bassa]

Neither Gradius Rebirth nor Gradius Generation (Gradius Advance) were published by Nintendo. The whole IPs are Konami's.

I also told you that Konami had nothing to do with Nemesis '90 Kai's development or publishing, so expecting it to ever be included in a collection by Konami themselves is way beyond sanity.

[Sweatlord_STG]

Rebirth is never going to happen, unless it's a Switch exclusive - this may also present an issue with Gradius Advance with both having been published by Nintendo.
It would be more likely (if at all) that Gradius Rebirth is re-released in a collection with the other Rebirth games.
I only used the Rebirth name to refer to another new M2 Gradius game in the next collection. Around Rebirth's release, M2 did say that they were working on a Salamander Rebirth, which Konami cancelled. So, it's likely that this is what found its way to Salamander III, given that we've been told that the Origins collection was produced under strict time constraints.

Wow! That would explain why Salamander III uses the same engine and stuff as the Rebirth games (if that's true anyway, that Salamander III uses the same engine and stuff as the Rebirth games). But then it also makes me think: Wow, I can't believe Konami made M2 take out the leftovers from some cancelled unfinished Salamander III out the trash and told them to finish it now, about 15 years later, to throw in something that's actually new.
And again: It is fucking ridiculous how they claim that anything related to this anniversary was made under pressure BECAUSE THEY LITERALLY HAD FOUR DECADES FOR IT!!! This is such a low level, lazy excuse. I just can't believe it. The outcome alone always matters, not your circumstances behind that. It's like handing in any work just in time and saying: "Sorry, I only started working on it last night, so it was rushed and might not exceed your expectations. But considering I barely spent any time on it, it's actually pretty good, right?!"

I thought from the beginning that the title "Origins" makes it pretty obvious that there would be a sequel. As long as it sells, but you never know what they expect. When Capcom remastered Onimusha Warlords there was a leak that claimed Capcom had put a lot of love into the remaster and wanted to remaster more titles of the series if the remaster of the first game sold well. They already had low expectations but the game sold even worse. That's why there was nothing new from the franchise until the anime came out of nowhere all of sudden, because apparently at that point they had decided to proceed and revive the franchise anyway, as they announced the new title for 2026 some time after, and the remaster of Onimusha 2. My point is that anything is possible. The collection might not sell well but then they might do a sequel anyway, plus a big budget AAA Gradius VI

[AGermanArtist]

Neither Gradius Rebirth nor Gradius Generation (Gradius Advance) were published by Nintendo. The whole IPs are Konami's.

I also told you that Konami had nothing to do with Nemesis '90 Kai's development or publishing, so expecting it to ever be included in a collection by Konami themselves is way beyond sanity.

Ah, you're correct re Rebirth, I made an incorrect assumption - since Nintendo. So I'll edit that, but I'm not seeing anything to back your assertion re Nemeis 90 Kai. Unless of course you're the keeper of all info and literally every website that cites Konami are incorrect. Perhaps they should consult you.
You told me? Allow me to genuflect.
Also, beyond sanity? Calm the fuck down lol

[Bassa-Bassa]

I told you so that you could make a proper research for once.

[AGermanArtist]

And you were wrong. Make a proper research

[Sweatlord_STG]

So what is correct? Some sources say Konami, some say SPS published it. Looking at the cover here makes it seem more like Konami did?

[AGermanArtist]

The game has a Konami logo on its title screen, unless that's changed in the 48hrs since I played it. Any available info I found cites Konami.

[Bassa-Bassa]

Hardly you'll find a Japanese site saying Konami published it. It's quite obvious by looking at the original game package, on the other hand.

[AGermanArtist]

Oh... wait. You're right

[Bassa-Bassa]

This will end up being quite funny, I'm foreseeing.

[AGermanArtist]

It is already, buddy. And if I'm incorrect, I'll make a proper research and pass on all available info gathered in a strongly worded e-mail to the relevant sites that are providing such heinous misinformation and encourage them to engage the correct genuflection procedure on this platform.