Gradius Origin Collection Marks 1st Anniversary With Salamander III
August 7, 2026 marks the first anniversary of Gradius Origin Collection, which launched on August 7, 2025 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Published by KONAMI, the collection brings together 7 titles and 21 versions from the Gradius and Salamander series, 2D shooting games that dominated arcades during the 1980s and 1990s. What sets this compilation apart from typical retro collections is the inclusion of Salamander III, a completely new numbered entry in the franchise. Its presence turned the release into a landmark moment for fans of classic 2D shooters.
Salamander III was built around the concept of “what if a sequel to Salamander had appeared in the late 1990s?” The game features fully 2D dot-pixel graphics and plays like a reboot of the original Salamander. Development was handled by M2, a studio with a strong reputation for high-quality classic game ports, working under its M2 Shot Triggers brand. Notably, August 7, 2025 was also the release date of another M2-developed title published by Taito, which included the brand-new game Night Striker GEAR alongside its classic content, making it a busy day for retro revival fans.
According to the original article, Salamander III’s slightly faster scrolling gives its stages a brisk tempo, while the Multiple power-up — a tracking clone similar to the Options found in Gradius — delivers satisfying crowd-clearing action. A single loop takes roughly 20 minutes to clear, a length consistent with many 1990s arcade games, though pushing into the 4th or 5th loop extends playtime considerably. The new “Multiple Change” system makes the Snake-style option easier to use, and pairing it with lasers felt fresh, while the hidden Gray Layer ship introduced the Round Laser weapon to the series.
On August 3, 2026, Salamander III received an update aimed at core players, which became a talking point among fans. The original article’s author observes that with beloved classic series receiving new entries one after another, this is a rewarding era for 2D shooting game fans, and expresses hope that a hypothetical Gradius VI might eventually follow. Whether that wish comes true remains to be seen, but Salamander III’s first anniversary is a fine reminder that these classic shooters still hold up — definitely one to watch for genre enthusiasts.
