SO YOU WANT TO COLLECT…

The Saturn is well known for its vast array of excellent shmups, but the PlayStation’s library isn’t too shabby either. Here’s a selection you should definitely consider seeking out if you enjoy the genre. Just be sure to bring your wallet…

Words by Darran Jones

» [PlayStation] Gradius Gaiden’s first boss looks tremendous and they only get better.

A SOLID OPTION

GRADIUS GAIDEN

EXPECT TO PAY £17+ JAPAN

DEVELOPER: KONAMI

RELEASE: 1997

■ Despite the popularity of Konami’s Gradius series, this PlayStation exclusive was originally confined to Japan. It’s a crying shame because it’s a genuinely great addition to the series with four distinct ships to choose from, some lovely throwbacks to earlier Gradius games and some tough-as-nails bosses.

While it’s just as challenging as earlier games in the series, things are made somewhat easier due to Konami finally letting two Gradius players play simultaneously. It’s one of our favourite PlayStation shooters and is absolutely worth owning.

Weirdly, prices for Konami’s shooter are all over the place. We’ve seen copies of the original range in price from £17 to £80, but £45 is far more typical. The reissue version, despite having a rather ugly white border on its cover, sells for a similar amount, rarely topping £40. If you don’t have the ability to play Japanese PlayStation games, Gradius Gaiden can also be found on the PSP’s Gradius Collection, which also includes four other games and rarely sells for more than £35 in the UK.

DOUBLE THE FUN

Konami released several shmup double-packs for Sony’s PlayStation

■ The famed Japanese developer released a quartet of collections that featured some of its most iconic shoot- ’em-ups on both the PlayStation and Saturn.

Gradius Deluxe Pack features excellent arcade ports of Gradius I and II, while the Detana Twinbee Yahho! Deluxe Pack includes Twinbee Yahho! and Detana!! Twinbee. The Parodius Deluxe Pack includes the first two arcade games in Konami’s zany series, while the Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus actually features three games: Salamander, the rejigged Lifeforce and Salamander 2. All four packs are relatively inexpensive with the exception of the Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus which was never reissued.

If you fancy more shooting goodness from Konami you can seek out Konami Arcade Classics which features ten arcade hits, including the shmups Scramble, Super Cobra, Time Pilot and Gyruss, while you’ll find several MSX shmups, including Gradius, Parodius and Super Cobra spread across its three Konami Antiques MSX Collection compilations. Interestingly, all 30 games were released on a single disc for Sega’s Saturn.