The most action-packed and fun game you'll find on the RGR
Released on February 20, 1987 in the arcades, Contra was a minor success in the arcades. Notice how I said minor. The real success this game got was when it was ported to the NES. It's success is still being felt today, with references everywhere, most recent in the comedy "30 Minutes or Less." But, what makes this game so great? Surely, there has to be a reason other than, It's fun. What is the reason why it's critically lauded and fondly remembered over some other underrated gems?
Story:
You play as either Bill "Mad Dog" Rizer or Lance "scorpion" Bean, who are sent on a mission in an unnamed South American Island to neutralize the terrorist group known as Red Falcon who is trying to take over the world. Yea, not the best story in the world, but I'm impressed with what they got away with in this game, especially with Nintendos strict policies for the NES. For one thing, you're fighting a terrorist group. All in all, while the story isn't great, its pretty good that they could put in the original story without censoring. 6/10.
Graphics:
Really, these are freaking nice graphics for the NES. For one thing, in 1988 no less, there are some really nice animations. Especially during the 3-D stages. Seriously, while these aren't the best NES graphics, for an Arcade port to the NES, you can tell that Konami didn't slack off with this port. 8/10.
Sound:
Holy Crap. This music is great. No kidding. It might not be stand-out memorable, but that's the best kind. Its not very noticeable due to gameplay, but it silently creeps into your mind and, when you least expect it, you start humming it on your date with the girl who knows nothing about the NES! (Yeah............... I just say that DIDN'T happen.) Seriously though, in order to review this game, I had to just stand there on each of each of the stages listening to the songs. And the songs sound Phenomenal. The sound effects are good too, and surprisingly not stocked. Overall, one of the best examples of great sound on the NES. 10/10.
Gameplay:
Surprisingly, this game is solid all the way through, even though you'd think it'd get repetitive REALLY fast. But, Konami lands a near perfect balance between challenge and fun. The common censuses every hardcore game comes to is this games hard. Well, I'm here to debunk that ludicrous statement right now. This game isn't hard, it requires skill. While there is a code for getting 30 lives, (you already know it..........) the game is completable just with 3. I beat it that way. "How do you do it," you ask. Simple, I invested my skill in this game. Seriously, If you think it's hard, that's fine. But, keep trying playing this game normally, you'll see you got a little bit father each time. 9/10
Overall:
One of the best arcade ports and DEFINITELY one of the best CO-OP games pretty much ever. It's no wonder why this is one of Konami's best franchises. 9/10
Знаменитый платформер от Конами c видом сбоку. Дядька с автоматом, голым торсом и в синих или красных штанах бежит и мочит всех, кто попадается на пути. По пути можно менять оружие. Главные герои и враги в Европейской версии, в отличие от других, по соображениям цензуры были заменены роботами. Японская версия игры более совершенна в графическом плане, имеет заставки между уровнями, общую карту, дополнительную анимацию игровых сцен - все то, чего лишены прочие версии.
How to Play
- Player Controls: Throughout the game, you control Bill and Lance, two battle-hardened marines who are dropped behind enemy lines in a dangerous attempt to invade an enemy base and sabotage all operations. Player 1 always controls Bill “Mad Dog” Rizer while Player 2 always controls Lance “Scorpion” Bean. Both players are identical except for their names and the color of their pants.
- Movement: Use the control pad to direct each player through the stages. Press left and right to make the player run in either direction. Press up to aim the player’s gun upward. Press down to crouch low. Press the joystick diagonally to aim your weapon in those directions.
- Jumping: Press the A button to make each player leap off the ground. They can jump straight up, or to either direction. Hold the control pad down while pressing jump to move your player down to a lower platform.
- Shooting: Press the B button to shoot your current weapon. Your weapon will fire in whatever direction the control pad is being pressed (unless you are crouching on the ground.) To fire straight down, you must hold the control pad down while jumping.
- Start/Pause Game: Press Start to begin a new game or to pause the action mid-game.
- Select Game Mode: Press Select on the title screen menu to select between a one or two player game.
Tips to Win
- Use Weapons Wisely: Bill and Lance are familiar with the use of a variety of weapons. They begin each new game, and every new life, with a standard rifle. They may only use one weapon at a time, and they automatically switch weapons as soon as they touch a new one, with no ability to switch back to the weapon they previously possessed. Bill and Lance can shoot each weapon in eight different directions, and they cannot harm one another.
- Avoid Enemy Contact: Bill and Lance must survive the assault on each stage, and arrive at the end where they typically face a powerful boss. The boss must be defeated before Bill and Lance can advance to the next stage. They each begin the game with many lives (usually 3), and lose one every time they are touched by an enemy, bullet or explosion. When both players are out of lives, the game ends.
- Skill and Patience: While there is a code for getting 30 lives, the game is completable just with 3. It requires skill and patience to master the game. Keep trying playing this game normally, you’ll see you got a little bit farther each time.
