Kombo : : : PS3 | 360 | Wii | Cube | Xbox | PSP | DS | Forums | Podcasts

AROUND KOMBO:
REVIEW
Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles
Play the lost chapters of the RE timeline.
REVIEW
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Why are you not playing?
EDITORIAL
The Children of Mickey
The Mouse has had influence.
Gradius Galaxies
Console
Game Boy Advance
Publisher
Konami Global Entertainment Company
Genre
Action
Developer
Mobile 21
Release Date
11/30/01
7
ESRB Rating
Everyone
StumbleUpon Toolbar  
Gradius Galazies
The legendary shooter explodes onto the GBA.
November 16, 2003 | 10:00 PM PST

by: Stephen Smith

It is funny, but I never thought that my age would show when reviewing a game. When I told people I was reviewing Gradius for the GBA, often I would hear “What is Gradius?”. I didn’t realize how old the original Gradius was. But Gradius Galaxies keeps the legacy going, and adds a few new ideas along the way.

Just like with their other Gameboy Advance games, they build the game around the system, making use of the GBA strengths. There is some slowdown, but it is minor, and only when the screen fills with enemies. And just like all shooter fans know, slowdown can be your friend when you are in a tough spot.

The graphics showcase the great effects that can be pulled off on the Advance. Most of these effects take place in the background, and this is how it should be. The various crafts that populate Gradius are very well designed, and their animations are solid. Gradius is no slouch in the graphics department.

Music is what you would expect, general fare. Sound effects, on the other hand are great, from the explosions, to your weapons systems. They even added digitized speech to round out the package.

Where Gradius separates itself from the pack is how it handles it’s weapons. And for a shooter, there is nothing more important. You collect power up icons to upgrade your ship, but you can choose which system you want to initiate. For example, you may want extra speed, or you may choose to build up your shields. This approach gives the player more control over leveling up, and adds a light dose of strategy.

There are 14 different weapons, both offensive and defensive, and 8 levels to use them on. Add to that a continue option that saves your progress, and lets you return to various parts of the levels. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. It makes the game incredible fun from the onset, but also in return makes the game extremely short. Not stopping there they added a “Hint” option, that lets the computer show you how do get through each level.

If you look at this game for what it is, it is a success. It plays well, and the levels are very well designed. The creators have made sacrifices to make it more “fun” for the portable gamer. But no one can deny that Gradius is extremely enjoyable, while it lasts.
Visuals
7.0
Sound
8.0
Control
7.0
Gameplay
8.0
Lasting Appeal
7.0
Verdict
7.0
[not an average]
Review Scores Guide

Got something that we should post on the site? Send it to us!
November 20, 2009
Happy Friday! Check out the new feature content we have available. Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Make sure you think about what you're most thankful for... Also, make sure you become a fan of Kombo on Facebook!!!

-- Ken Cauley, Editor in Chief

Kombo Breaker
FTW
Do you and your family celebrate Thanksgiving?
Vote!
(11/20/09 | 9:55 PM PST)
Supreme Commander 2 Moves Out in March
DiRT 2!!!
  • DiRT 2 for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3
    Enter to win!
    E-mail us and include your full name, age and mailing address to enter.

  • Software
    Hardware
    All Time
    Weekly
    8.75m Japan
    26.08m America
    21.86m Others
    56.69M 
    1.19m Japan
    19.24m America
    12.94m Others
    33.37M 
    3.89m Japan
    10.32m America
    12.48m Others
    26.68M 
    28.36m Japan
    39.12m America
    46.54m Others
    114.01M 
    13.12m Japan
    17.80m America
    21.88m Others
    52.80M