When it comes to run n gun games, there is none more renowned than Konami’s Contra series ( with Metal Slug coming in a close second). Starting in the arcades and continuing to the present day, the series has a devoted following and with good reason. The games are the pinnacle of run n gun action and have a degree of polish that just cannot be matched. Konami has recently put out an anniversary collection of the early games in the series and now is the time to look at each game.
Contra Arcade.
The game that started it all, Contra in the arcade looks very good but it is clear that the NES port fixed a great many things. The arcade game is not bad like Haunted Castle, and is really a lot of fun, but it lacks a certain amount of polish. The visuals are great and the audio is nice but this isn’t as well remembered as the NES game for a reason,
Super Contra Arcade
This arcade sequel feels like more of the same. Its visually pleasing but again, there is a certain roughness to it. I like that the action feels more intense, but overall its not anything special like the console games.
Contra – NES
The game everyone knows and loves. Well, except me as I never played this growing up, instead playing the sequel Super C. This is the game that introduced a generation to run n gun gaming and did so in a big way. Tight controls, fast-paced action and epic boss fights made this an instant classic. Two-player action made this a co-op favourite for years afterwards. This game also introduced many players to the famous Konami code which is still remembered well today.
Super C – NES
This was the Contra game I played growing up, and I still have fond memories of the experience. This is a more difficult sequel to the original, and the code is different here, but the experience is just more fulfilling in my opinion. The enemies are more memorable, the stages stand out more and the music is far better. This is just an amazing game and one that more should play. There isn’t much more to say other than this is Contra on steroids.
Operation C – GameBoy
Operation C was the series debut on a handheld system and was a surprisingly good experience. Playing it again now, I am amazed how well it has stood up to the test of time. The music is miles ahead of the typical sounds from the Game Boy and actually replicates Contra’s music very well. The run n gun gameplay is a little slower here, but it is not as bad as the handheld Castlevania games. There are unique weapons here like the heat-seeking spreader, which helps give this a unique feel. If anything, this feels a bit more like a Metal Slug game crossed with Contra. This is an excellent Game Boy game and an excellent Contra title.
Contra – Famicom
Mostly the same as Contra on NES with some minor changes here and there. Most notable is the inclusion of cutscenes in the game. A nice curiosity if nothing else.
Contra III: The Alien Wars – SNES
If Super C was Contra on steroids, then Contra III is Super C taken to the extreme. Moving to a 16-bit system allowed the developers to do a whole lot more and they took advantage to include a lot. These include much bigger bosses, overhead levels that made full use of Mode 7, bosses that couldn’t be done on the NES, much better music and going all out with weapons. Whereas the laser was a weak weapon in the first two games, its much better here, and the spreader has likewise been augmented. This is Contra made bigger and better and what’s not to love.
Super Probotector Alien Rebels – European SNES
The Contra series was altered for a European release and turned into Probotector, to avoid censorship rules. This is the conversion of Contra III and is just the game with a pallete swap. It is fun but again, it is just a curiosity. It can be played at the original European speed or adjusted to North American and Japanese speed.
Contra Hard Corps – Genesis
The series debut on a Sega system was a big step forward for the series. A new set of characters to play as, branching paths to follow and the ability to carry up to four types of weapons plus bombs ensured this would stand out. Hard Corps was a very fast-paced game and is more intense than the games on Nintendo’s systems. There was more of a story here than in the previous games as well and that also helped give Hard Corps more of a unique identity. As much as I love Super C, I have to admit that Hard Corps, with its different mechanics, multiple characters and weapons and story elements, is the better game. I would go as far as saying it is the best game in the Contra series until Contra Rebirth and Hard Corps Uprising.
Probotector – Mega Drive
Same as Super Probotector but for Hard Corps. It can also be played in the European or North American and Japanese speed.
There is once again a great artbook included that gives more insight into the series and its various incarnations. It is worth a looks at and is full of content fans will like. Overall, the collection is amazing and a treat for fans of the series. If you like run n gun games, then you need this collection.