Just how good is Gradius Galaxies compared to...

sfried · Post by **sfried** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:25 pm

...Gradius IV? (Or any standard Gradius for that matter.)

I know many people here on shmups.com aren't enthusiastic about mobile shmuping (except maybe if it was on PSP), but I'm a little bit of a frugal gamer, and since Radio Allergy US was delayed, I thought I might find a good shmup for my Micro for a good price. (I don't have problems with the display, control pad, or buttons like others do with a GBM. Pretty much able to perform as good, if not better playing games like Gunstar Super Heroes with a GameboyPlayer and a Hori pad, and I don't need to tinker with refresh rates like Soft, Normal, or Sharp on the GBP)

Anyways, I don't mind if it's short, but I just need a little something to tide me over. Been looking to import Steel Empire (UK ver, since I see no US version), but shipping costs might deter me from getting it.

LSU · Post by **LSU** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:14 pm

I'd say it's OK - kind of decent enough, and def. worth having if you're a Gradius fan - but certainly nowhere near as good as any of the 'mainline' Gradius games.

The main problem for me is the difficulty. Unless I'm tripping here, from what I recall it doesn't seem to have any real rank at all, unlike most Gradiuses (Gradii?), and to be honest it's really just far too easy overall. There also seem to be far too many sections which are just very empty, with not much going on at all. On the upside, the graphics are quite nice for a GBA title and the stage with the clouds and lightning looks quite cool.

sfried · Post by **sfried** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:17 pm

LSU wrote:There also seem to be too many sections which are just very empty, with not much going on at all. On the upside, the graphics are quite nice for a GBA title and the stage with the clouds and lightning looks really quite cool.

Hmm...It seems GBA shmups have a reputation for being easy...

What about Steel Empire? I'm thinking about that...If the price can beat Galaxies.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Tue May 01, 2007 12:00 am

LSU wrote:I'd say it's OK - kind of decent enough, and def. worth having if you're a Gradius fan - but certainly nowhere near as good as any of the 'mainline' Gradius games.

The main problem for me is the difficulty. Unless I'm tripping here, from what I recall it doesn't seem to have any real rank at all, unlike most Gradiuses (Gradii?), and to be honest it's really just far too easy overall.

I disagree. Gradius Galaxies isn't the hardest Gradius, but there are multiple levels of difficulty and some tricky spots. At least it doesn't have an unbalanced difficulty like the arcade Gradius III. It's not as much of a rehash as Gradius IV either. I prefer it over III arcade and IV, though it certainly doesn't touch II, V, or Gaiden (which isn't a "mainline" Gradius and is one of the best in the series).

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Tue May 01, 2007 12:22 am

I suck at Gradius games in general so I found this game to be plenty of challenge. As for rank, I think there is some, the usual Gradius flavour though. Have 4 options + fully powered Laser + fully powered Missile, the enemies will be spraying bullets everywhere. But die and go back to a checkpoint with no powerups, the same enemies will barely shoot at you.

The GBA only has a few titles to offer as far as shooters go, but I'd say this is a good game and controls beautifully on a GBA SP.

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Tue May 01, 2007 12:40 am

It's a decent enough addition to the Gradius series and looks fantastic. My only real gripe with it is the slightly messed up speed up system where one speed up is way too slow and two is a little bit too fast.

shinsage · Post by **shinsage** » Tue May 01, 2007 12:50 am

sfried wrote: What about Steel Empire? I'm thinking about that...If the price can beat Galaxies.

Just get both of them and everyone's a winner.

Steel Empire's a great remake, the color pallette is so refreshing and livid.

Gradius Galaxies compared to IV, hmmm?
I still like IV more, but when it comes down to aesthetics I'll say Galaxies wins.

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Tue May 01, 2007 1:02 am

shinsage wrote:livid

Perhaps you're thinking of a different word?

Steel Empire looks nice but I didn't like the gameplay much...

SFKhoa · Post by **SFKhoa** » Tue May 01, 2007 1:25 am

iatneH wrote:
shinsage wrote:livid
Perhaps you're thinking of a different word?

Steel Empire looks nice but I didn't like the gameplay much...

Vivid?

Bloodreign · Post by **Bloodreign** » Tue May 01, 2007 2:15 am

Galaxies IMO is pretty much the best shmup on the little GBA (though the Japanese version has a couple challenge stages that will test your patience), not the hardest game by far, but by the time you reach loop 3, that will all change.

If you don't have it, get it, you'll like it, and if you're a Gradius fan, you'll love it even more.

shinsage · Post by **shinsage** » Tue May 01, 2007 2:21 am

SFKhoa wrote:
iatneH wrote:
shinsage wrote:livid
Perhaps you're thinking of a different word?

Steel Empire looks nice but I didn't like the gameplay much...
Vivid?

Yeah, it was a typo; I meant vivid.
The color is just so much richer and fuller than the original Genny game.

tviks · Post by **tviks** » Tue May 01, 2007 3:15 am

Gradius is always great. Just play it.

PFG 9000 · Post by **PFG 9000** » Tue May 01, 2007 4:58 am

Yup, Galaxies is pretty good. Like Evilfunkster, my one complaint is the speedup rate. But I'll go so far as to say it's a must-play for any Gradius fan.

In answer to the thread title, it's not as good as Gradius IV IMO, but it's quite good considering the format (GBA vs. Arcade and all). I think I enjoy it more than Gradius and Gradius II, but not as much as III, III SNES, IV, Gaiden, and V. Oh, and it's much better than the GB Gradius games.

HeWhoGoverns · Post by **HeWhoGoverns** » Tue May 01, 2007 5:39 am

Gradius Galaxies is full of win. I got the game for 5 bucks at a Gamestop a year ago, and I still play it on a daily basis on my DS Lite. Its affordable and awesome, you can't go wrong. Just get it.

Steel Empire is a good buy too, but if I had to choose between the two, I'd pick Gradius Galaxies.

sfried · Post by **sfried** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:55 am

I finally won a copy from one of Jeremy Parish's options..err...auctions. Pretty nice on-the-go design, and while some may claim it too easy, I did come across a few tricky stages, particularly level 4.

That said, this game also made me realize how sensitive the diagonals on the GB Micro are, and would sometimes crash into a wall by accident. I actually swiched to playing on the DS because the pad on that system was actually perfect. And I think there are a few visual issues, but it's more partaining to the artstyle of the sets and how the bullets can be confused for the starfield in the background at times than the screen of the Micro/DS, since I also used a GBPlayer to play this.

I'm still wondering if this is better than Gradius Rebirth, considering the complaints Rebirth got.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:19 am

I also still play with Gradius Galaxies, although I am playing SUPESU MANBOU more now

Galaxies does seem to have the staying power + nifty bonuses (for the day I clear the game on one ship, lulz)

Zweihander · Post by **Zweihander** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:11 am

I'd play Galaxies again before Gradius 4. After Gradius 3, #4 felt like a big step backwards for some reason. Sure, Galaxies just rehashed a bunch of common Gradius themed stages, but what Gradius game (besides some of the later stages in 5) doesn't?

subcons · Post by **subcons** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:06 am

Galaxies isn't crazy hard, but it's very well balanced and doable with practice. It is the best shooter available on the GBA. And not that it isn't a great game, but that's not saying much as what's available is very limited.

Steel Empire is good, but the large sprites make the game play feel crowded and the difficulty really ramps up in the last couple of stages with no way to practice them. I'd put it right behind Galaxies as best on the system, but those are the only two I feel are even worth owning too.

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:22 am

My main complaint about Galaxies is that is isn't especially well-tuned to being a portable game. It's overly long with many boring/average/unmemorable sections (like all Gradius games after Gradius II). It's in severe need of editing. I still honestly believe that the original Gameboy Gradius is the best portable version of Gradius, because it suited the portable pick-up and play nature of a handheld better than any other iteration in the series.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:58 am

bcass wrote:I still honestly believe that the original Gameboy Gradius is the best portable version of Gradius, because it suited the portable pick-up and play nature of a handheld better than any other iteration in the series.

My sentiments as well. Also a great page of GB music.

Post by **spadgy** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:03 pm

theevilfunkster wrote:It's a decent enough addition to the Gradius series and looks fantastic. My only real gripe with it is the slightly messed up speed up system where one speed up is way too slow and two is a little bit too fast.

Bang on with the speed thing. It was the only thing I didn't like in an otherwise very competent Gradius game that has some of the most stylish visuals on the handheld.

Steel Empire is good too, though I must admit it might be rose tinted memories of my time spent playing it as a youngster that bias' my view. While it isn't dated as such, it's far from the cutting edge, but fun nonetheless.

And I'll +1 to bcass' sentiment that the original Gameboy Gradius (AKA Nemesis/Ultra Nemesis/Gradius Interstella Assualt) is superb. Get playing it and get over to the High score table and fill 'er up!

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:32 pm

bcass wrote:I still honestly believe that the original Gameboy Gradius is the best portable version of Gradius, because it suited the portable pick-up and play nature of a handheld better than any other iteration in the series.

I can't really agree after having spent hours and hours looping the game - well over an hour in one session is not out of hand, I'd say (might have been two hours). Fun game though, just needed some extra difficulty ramping.

Frederik · Post by **Frederik** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:59 pm

BrianC wrote:I prefer it over III arcade and IV, though it certainly doesn't touch II, V, or Gaiden (which isn't a "mainline" Gradius and is one of the best in the series).

That´s EXACTLY how I feel. It certainly isn´t perfect, but I had some fun times with it. And it´s nice to start again at any point or in any loop you´ve reached so far.

Also: STAAAAAAAAART

Pixel_Outlaw · Post by **Pixel_Outlaw** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:25 pm

It looks really nice on the telly too if you have the GBA Player....

sfried · Post by **sfried** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:45 pm

So...what about Gradius Rebirth? I still don't seem to have a clear guage on it. Some say it's "ripping off" Gradius Galaxies; others say it's "utterly unoriginal", but just how unoriginal? "Unoriginal" like Galaxies?

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:54 pm

Both GBA games of Steel Empire and Gradius Galaxies run at a sliky smooth 60 frames per second framerate. (This is better than a lot of crappy GBA software trash put out by various 3rd-party software developers with lower framerates.)

If you have access to a Hori Gameboy Player controller and a Gamecube with the GB player accessory, that is an elegant and refined way to play both GBA shmup titles on a big screen monitor setup (especially with a S-Video setup). ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

bcass · Post by **bcass** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:10 pm

PC Engine Fan X! wrote:If you have access to a Hori Gameboy Player controller and a Gamecube with the GB player accessory, that is an elegant and refined way to play both GBA shmup titles on a big screen monitor setup (especially with an RGB setup).

Corrected (although you'll need a specially moded RGB cable if you're using an NTSC Cube or a Panasonic Q).

Zweihander · Post by **Zweihander** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:25 pm

Just fired up Gradius 4 again to compare. Holy god, 4 was unforgiving. If you died after stage 1, you may as well reset the game. Even Gradius 1 was more forgiving. Konami did a lazy job picking the respawn points. Galaxies is actually fair with its checkpoints. This, and the game "wow'd" me much more than Gradius 4. Just the first stage alone, with its giant rotating mode-7 asteroids, was quite impressive for the GBA at the time.

In hindsight, I consider Gradius Gaiden the real Gradius 4. Here's hoping Konami gets Treasure to make Gradius 6, if they ever decide to resume the project.

pablumatic · Post by **pablumatic** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:08 pm

I found Galaxies to be pretty easy until you get to the last stage and have to face off against a giant wheel that you have to perfectly sync with in order to avoid being squashed. That wheel was much harder than the spider mechs in other Gradius games for me.

As it is, I didn't feel like the game had any real replayability once I went through it once. Maybe that wheel just killed the fun of it for me.

Zweihander wrote:Just fired up Gradius 4 again to compare. Holy god, 4 was unforgiving. If you died after stage 1, you may as well reset the game.

Konami actually made the Gradius 4 port on the PSP pretty easy by introducing checkpoints you can save your game at. You can even fill up all your weapons by repeatedly collecting power-ups, saving, and reloading the save. Essentially a cheat that you can do over and over again. Which makes Gradius 4's difficulty dependent on which version you're playing.