Gradius ReBirth

 Wii
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Mar 9, 2009
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Games Master UK
    79
    Great for 16-bit fans after a challenge. If you don't think your'e up to such retro effort, look elsewhere. [Oct 2009, p.80]
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  2. 1UP
    75
    If anything, ReBirth is a harmless non-canonical sequel, and the flaws are pretty excusable -- no matter how you look at it, this is a good Gradius. But, like all the other recent, deliberately retro-styled games, it's definitely meant for people who had some sort of connection to the series in their youth.
  3. Destructoid
    75
    I love the game in a fetish sort of way, in a way that I don't expect most people to relate with.
  5. IGN
    70
    Gradius ReBirth is a nice blast from the past, but its retro design and punishingly hard difficulty limits the appeal.
  6. games(TM)
    70
    Consider this a neat twist on the formula, which will force you to play this old favourite in some unexpected ways. [Oct 2009, p.132]
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  7. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    67
    It looks, sounds and plays just as it did well over 20 years ago. So it's dated, but fun. [Sept 2009, p.93]
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  8. Nintendo Life
    60
    Gradius Rebirth is certainly a solid enough shooter and the trip down memory lane is fun while it lasts, but you can't help but walk away from the title wishing that Konami had tried some new ideas instead of just rehashing the same formula.
  9. Metro GameCentral
    60
    More restatement than rebirth, this Gradius greatest hits collection has little new to offer.

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Best Wii Game of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. julianozuca
    Sep 12, 2013
    4
    "ReBirth" is an overstatement.

    The Good: Online leaderbords The Bad: Expensive; lazy Released as part of a Konami rehash series    "ReBirth" is an overstatement.

    The Good: Online leaderbords
    The Bad: Expensive; lazy

    Released as part of a Konami rehash series developed exclusively for the WiiWare service, Gradius ReBirth–as the title states–intends to update the franchise for modern gamers while keeping its oldschool, hardcore appeal. Unfortunately it ultimately fails in both fronts.

    In one hand that modernization never quite happens. The gameplay structure–even if it's a good one for sure, a classic side-scrolling shooter plus the customizable power-up tree that made the series remarkable–remains unchanged even in the slightest; which means you'll need to beat it in one seat for a lack of restore points/save states/whatever, for instance–simply unacceptable for a 20XX release.

    On the other hand the design is too lazy to deliver it to a desirable hardcore audience. Most levels are recycled from MSX previous entries and in fact they were even dumbed down with artificial, cheap difficulty. Bosses are too easy, pre-bosses sections are too annoying and the game as a whole is too short. The retro presentation could have been a great feature in itself if the result wasn't just plain ugly. (Take a look at a cutscene screenshot if you don't believe me.)

    Of course, the score attack mode with its online leaderboards and an unlockable hard mode can add some value for more passionate players, but it's still a too-shallow revolution to care for.

    The way it is Gradius ReBirth can't even stand toe-to-toe with the original NES Gradius available at the Virtual Console service; or the SNES installment, Gradius III all the same. And having both for a better price tag doesn't help either.    … Full Review »
  2. FranC
    Jun 15, 2009
    9
    Not the best of the series, but still fun. Very bad C++ programming makes the game slowdown at some places with full options + laser. No 2 Not the best of the series, but still fun. Very bad C++ programming makes the game slowdown at some places with full options + laser. No 2 players. Nearly all musics are from older GameBoy and MSX Gradius games. But, as I say, still fun, and probably the best WiiWare game out there.… Full Review »
  3. RomanP
    Mar 13, 2009
    8
    Classic Gradius gameplay with nice graphics and sound. Five levels plus three secret levels, with different layouts depending on the Classic Gradius gameplay with nice graphics and sound. Five levels plus three secret levels, with different layouts depending on the difficultly. Five difficulty settings from very easy to very hard, and five different ships. Start from any level, loop, or checkpoint that you have reached, or play score-attack with an online leaderboard. Very fun game if you like old-school shooters. Not particularly easy though.… Full Review »
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