Konami has gathered five games from the hit GRADIUS series and merged them into the GRADIUS COLLECTION for the PSP. These games, although some of them are a little old, are still solid side-scrolling space shooter games that will challenge any modern day gamer. The GRADIUS games all revolve around pilot Vic Viper, the pilot of a very distinctive fighter. Vic is the only one who stands between humanity and an alien race bent on destroying the earth. Players must help Vic avoid enemy ships and their missiles while taking out the mother ships and ending the war. The GRADIUS COLLECTION includes the original GRADIUS from 1985 along with GRADIUS II, GRADIUS III, GRADIUS IV, and GRADIUS GAIDEN. Each contains many different levels of intense action. While battling through the waves of enemies, players will find power ups that allow them access to new weapons or powerful shields. These power ups were what first set GRADIUS apart from other shooters, and players will find the power up system evolves as they play the more recent games. GRADIUS GAIDEN even goes a little further, allowing players to choose between four different pilots and their unique ships. Players have the ability to fine tune some of the game’s options, changing the number of lives, the difficulty, and other options. For purists, the original versions of each game are available. No matter which options players’ tweak, the GRADIUS COLLECTION promises great action and a look at the history of this amazing series.
