Gradius ReBirth is a 2008 shoot 'em up published by Konami and a spin-off game from Gradius. It's developed by M2, and is the first of the "ReBirth" series, a WiiWare revival of Konami classic games, followed by Contra ReBirth and Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth.
ReBirth is a "back to basic" game that removes modern gameplay systems and closely emulates the older Gradius games. James Burton returns as the pilot of the Vic Viper.
This work provides examples of:
- Console Cameo: In the second loop ending, Venom gives James a Wii Remote.
- Fake Longevity: You have to beat the game thrice to see the best ending.
- Foregone Conclusion: As a Prequel to Nemesis 2, it's inevitable that Venom being a good guy doesn't last; by the end of loop 3, his coup d'etat against the Gradian government is exposed.
- Formula with a Twist: The first stage is a volcanic level again like the original Gradius. Except when you reach the two volcanos, they don't erupt, but one of their top detaches to reveal an array of enemies.
- Musical Nod: Much of the music consists of arranges of tracks from the MSX games and Gradius: The Interstellar Assault. Additionally, in a post-launch update, playing as the Type D ship, the Metalion, replaces the usual space battle theme with an arrange of Nemesis 2's.
- Prequel: The game is placed in the year G6664, predating the Silent Nightmare incident in Gradius 2 / Nemesis 2 as well as most games in the series. Notably, Venom is on heroic side, before his eventual Face–Heel Turn in future.
- Recursive Canon: Apparently, the video game "Gradius" exists in this universe. Venom brags that his Bacterian Buster program works like playing "Gradius".
- Retraux: Although Wii can support full 3D graphics, ReBirth intentionally limits itself to mostly use 2D to emulate the old Gradius, particularly the second arcade game Gofer no Yabou / Vulcan Venture. The soundtrack also done in FM like the arcade games.
- Self-Plagiarism: The game's levels are an almost bit by bit copy of Nemesis on Game Boy; like Nemesis, it only have five stages, which are Volcano-Cell-Moai-Desert/Bone-Fortress level in the same order.
- Unusually Uninteresting Sight: In the cutscene between loops 2 and 3, Venom gives James a Wii Remote that he can use to destroy the Bacterians, and explicitly likens it to playing Gradius. James gives him a sincere thanks, as if there's nothing weird about this at all.
