Review: Gradius III and IV
The classic shooters Gradius III and IV come back to life on the PS2. What has Konami packed into this dual game disc?
Hardly pushing the limits of the PS2, Gradius III and IV is a shooter combo package that will appeal to retro gaming fans. Both titles feature formulaic action indicative of the genre: Using a 2D side-view, you pilot a spaceship through several levels, collect power-ups, and destroy tough bosses.
Shoot 'Em Up
Of the two titles in the collection, Gradius IV ranks the highest, with slick visuals, strong sounds, and a foot-tapping musical score. Unfortunately, Gradius III -which some may remember as one of the earliest titles for the 16-bit Super NES-truly shows its age with antiquated sprite graphics and tinny sounds. The most notable additions to this collection are a few rendered cinemas, created exclusively for the PS2.
Retro-A-Go-Go
For a retro shooter package, Gradius III and IV is an excellent value-just don't expect anything on the level of Colony Wars. It's nice to know that with all the hype surrounding the PlayStation 2 launch, classic gaming hasn't been completely forgotten.
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