The start of the digital era of online game services is quite an interesting one as many companies experimented with what would work both in terms of both service and software. Take Wiiware for example, a service Nintendo introduced on the Wii in 2008. It allowed small teams to release small games (40mb limit) at budget prices. This was back at a time when shovelware appearing on these digital stores was a lot less of an issue and even some of the bigger known game developers were trying their hand in this type of market. This led Konami to release a trilogy of 'rebirth' games on the Wii. These games used existing intellectual property of Konami to make remake / remixes of older titles of Contra, Castlevania and the first of these three, Gradius.

The thing is that Gradius Rebirth just feels like a remix in every way. There isn't anything here that feels like this release was actually necessary. It's not that it's bad, it isn't. It plays like Gradius, looks like Gradius, sounds like Gradius but that's also kind of the problem. It's just so uninspired in a series hardly know for variation or innovation between titles. If you weren't a fan of Gradius this won't change your mind, if you were then you've basically played this game already. Otherwise it was just a Gradius title available on the Wii.

You play the role of James Burton piloting the iconic Vic Viper sent out to defeat the Bacterians. Like the rest of the series in Rebirth you can collect power ups that you choose when to use depending on how many you have collected which will upgrade a different element of the ship. Depending on the ship you choose (or later unlock) will depend on the load out available to upgrade. The upgrades are mostly weapons such as missiles, lasers, or two way firing but can also include the ships manoeuvre speed or force fields and shields as well. The various power up load outs have levels when used multiple times to gain strength to deal with the waves of enemies you will face over the course of the five levels.

I like the power up system, it gives control for what you want to upgrade and different ships handle different levels and bosses differently due to their slightly varied load outs. What I don't like is how utterly punishing it is when you die losing everything. Often if you die it will be because a section is hard to get by so going back into it with only a portion of your previous strength often means, (at least in my case) I will die there again. It feels there should be greater balance for a game that isn't an arcade coin gobbler like some of it's predecessors.

Whilst unfortunately Gradius Rebirth and the rest of this trilogy are currently lost to the annals of time with the Wiiware store closing in 2019. I also can't say unless you're a super fan you are missing out much with this one either. It's fine, it's just forgettable. Still I hope it does get a trilogy Rebirth release on modern platforms for preservation so that other gamers can at least find that out for themselves.

Half a star for the cover art. Gradius covers nearly always have stunning artwork and the usage of almost prism colours here really stand out.

+ Looks like Gradius, sounds like Gradius, plays like Gradius.
+ Gradius power up system and ship options are still pretty great a mechanic.
+ that cover art.

- Looks like Gradius, sounds like Gradius, plays like Gradius.
- Dying still feels brutally punishing.