Bob's Retro Reviews



Contra

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Platform Famicom Year 1988
Publisher Konami Developer Konami
Region JP Language Japanese
Tags Action, Run and Gun, Two Player, Simultaneous Multiplayer, Arcade Conversion
Platform Famicom
Year 1988
Publisher Konami
Developer Konami
Region JP
Language Japanese
Tags Action, Run and Gun, Two Player, Simultaneous Multiplayer, Arcade Conversion

An adaptation of an arcade run and gun shooter. Use weapon power-ups to shoot your way through jungles, vertical platforming sections, pseudo-3D base infiltrations, and giant boss battles.
 
Good Bad
  • Excellent graphics especially in JP version
  • Good variety in gameplay
  • Interesting boss battles
  • Unlimited continues
  • Simultaneous two player mode
  • Very little slowdown
  • Fun weapon power-ups
  • Understanding Japanese is not required to play
  • One hit kills
  • No control over jump height makes platforming more difficult
  • Some frustrating platforming
  • High difficulty requires cheat code to fully enjoy
  • Pressing down sometimes results in moving left or right which stands the player up making dodging bullets difficult
  • Understanding Japanese is required to fully understand the story
  • Default weapon does not have rapid fire
  • Hard to avoid picking up unwanted weapon power-ups
Good
  • Excellent graphics especially in JP version
  • Good variety in gameplay
  • Interesting boss battles
  • Unlimited continues
  • Simultaneous two player mode
  • Very little slowdown
  • Fun weapon power-ups
  • Understanding Japanese is not required to play
 
Bad
  • One hit kills
  • No control over jump height makes platforming more difficult
  • Some frustrating platforming
  • High difficulty requires cheat code to fully enjoy
  • Pressing down sometimes results in moving left or right which stands the player up making dodging bullets difficult
  • Understanding Japanese is required to fully understand the story
  • Default weapon does not have rapid fire
  • Hard to avoid picking up unwanted weapon power-ups
 
9 Incredibly challenging classic game with varied gameplay, amazing graphics, and the ability to play through with a friend. The Japanese Famicom version adds a lot compared to the North American version with cutscenes, animated backgrounds, and an improved title screen and is the better version to play. Using the Konami code makes the game a lot more fun.

Contra Screenshot 2 Contra Screenshot 3

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