June 7^th, 2006 (11:02am) - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. has announced that Gradius Collection for the PSP has shipped to retail stores throughout North America. Delivering more than two decades of top-notch shooting action, the game includes five different Gradius titles, complete with updated gameplay options and a media viewer that lets players relive the history of the legendary Vic Viper.

One of the longest-running and most critically acclaimed franchises in video game history, the Gradius series is known for its adrenaline-soaked side scrolling space shooter action. As players defeat more enemies, they will acquire power-ups that allow them to customize different aspects of their ship and take on increasingly aggressive waves of enemies and colossal bosses.

Gradius Collection includes five classic games for players to enjoy, including Gradius, Gradius II, Gradius III, Gradius IV and the long awaited first North American release of Gradius Gaiden. Gamers can play each game as they were originally presented or can choose to alter different aspects of each title’s gameplay for an updated yet timeless gaming experience. Each game can also be played in its original screen ratio or in new widescreen and zoom modes to increase the view of the action.

Taking advantage of the audiovisual capabilities of the PSP system, Gradius Collection features a Gallery Mode packed with content from the series. Players will be able to enjoy videos, trailers and music tracks before returning to the Vic Viper for another dose of pure shooting action.

Gradius Collection is rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99. For more information on the game, please visit www.konami.com/gs