GRADIUS ORIGINS

Players expressed satisfaction primarily due to the high quality of the collection, particularly M2's faithful arcade ports, comprehensive features, and excellent customization options. The inclusion and quality of the new game, Salamander 3, along with player-friendly systems and stable performance, significantly contributed to this positive sentiment, offering a strong sense of value and an enjoyable gameplay experience.

Excitement stemmed from the long-awaited release of a new Gradius collection, especially after a two-decade hiatus. The inclusion of a new Salamander game, Salamander 3, was a major highlight, surprising and delighting fans. The overall high quality of the ports and the collection's extras further amplified this excitement.

Frustration arose from several technical issues, including severe screen artifacts, wavy scrolling, and games not running at proper speed, alongside a missing vsync setting. Gameplay-specific frustrations centered on Gradius III's extreme difficulty and Salamander 3's short revival invincibility, making recovery after a miss particularly challenging. Some players also felt frustrated by the perceived lack of value for money and limited customization options in training mode.

Disappointment was largely driven by the high price point of the collection and the omission of several expected Gradius games and features, particularly for Salamander 3. Players also noted mediocre screen options, performance issues, and a lack of freshness in Salamander 3's music and stage composition, contributing to a sense of unfulfilled expectations.

Nostalgia was a strong emotion, evoked by BGM remixes, long-standing affection for the series, and the ability to revisit past battlefields. Playing arcade hits at home and growing up with specific titles like Life Force for NES brought back fond memories for many players.