Building comparison
head to head
Gradius VvsSuper Metroid
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is variance, and it is a single point.
Gradius V
Optimization · Practiced Mastery
A formation-based horizontal shmup where managing your options configuration and memorising scripted enemy patterns is the game.
Super Metroid
Execution · Practiced Mastery
Movement execution and route optimisation through a fixed, mappable planet.
Gradius V leans Optimization (Practiced Mastery); Super Metroid leans Execution (Practiced Mastery).
Gradius VSuper Metroid
Axis by axis
Execution7 vs 7
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Gradius V
Maintaining power-up state through dense formation fire demands precision
Super Metroid
Wall-jumps, shinesparks and boss dodges demand precise inputs
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Gradius V
All enemy patterns are scripted Konami-classic formations
Super Metroid
Bosses cycle fixed patterns, never adapting
Variance2 vs 1
Gradius V leans a little harder on variance, though the gap is small.
Gradius V
Minimal; stages are nearly deterministic
Super Metroid
Item and route knowledge is fixed once discovered
Optimization8 vs 7
Gradius V leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Gradius V
Options configuration, power-up sequencing, and checkpoint recovery are fully solvable
Super Metroid
Sequence-breaking route optimisation is the enduring meta-game
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.