It's frankly amazing how much of a step up in quality Salamander is compared to Gradius I, the game is fast, dynamic, lively and legitimately fun to control all around. It's weird how much more dynamic the gameplay becomes when you have immediate access to your power ups instead of having to save up for them like in Gradius's power up system.

I'm also glad that the game ditched the 1cc-or-bust structure from Gradius 1 in favour of giving you lives in accordance to the number of quarters you put in.

I really enjoy this game... up to stage 4, that is. From stage 4's boss onwards the game becomes extremely unfair and really unfun as a result. Stages 1 through 3 had their fair share of bullshit, but they were usually isolated sections that only required memorization to beat unscathed and definitely not to the extend Stages 5 and 6 have as a whole.

Sadly I cannot recommend it, but I had my fun while it lasted.