Contra is one among a handful of franchises which have change into fully synonymous with gaming; certainly, likelihood is if you have not performed any Contra video games, you then’ll have at the very least heard of them. Konami’s shoot-em-up behemoth could have misplaced a number of its lustre lately (just about par for the course with Konami today, it appears, save for some wonderful retro collections), however its earlier iterations have change into iconic in their very own proper.
From the unique Contra in 1988 all the best way as much as Contra: Rogue Corps in 2019, the collection has hardly ever strayed from its comparatively easy components — run via a bunch of linear ranges and shoot up a bunch of unhealthy guys — however that is arguably its largest draw. In an age the place gaming is extra complicated than ever, Contra is a improbable reminder that you do not want a boatload of options to make a cracking recreation.
So, very like our different reader-ranked polls, we requested you wonderful individuals to price your favorite Contra video games on Nintendo platforms from the listing beneath.
If you happen to missed the voting part, then fear not! The listing beneath is mechanically up to date in real-time in line with every recreation’s corresponding ‘Consumer Score’ on the Nintendo Life recreation database. This implies to can affect the order proper now, if you want, by clicking on the star subsequent to every recreation and awarding it our personal rating.
So equip your self with a Unfold Shot and let’s take a look at the perfect Contra video games on Nintendo methods!
Be aware. Sure, we have included the Anniversary Assortment for completeness’ sake – in case you’re not eager on collections being included in our rankings, then merely fake it is not there; the remainder of the listing will nonetheless be in the identical order!
Writer: Konami / Developer: Konami
Contra’s high-profile return to trendy platforms landed with extra of a whimper than a bang. Contra: Rogue Corps swaps out the side-scrolling shoot-em-up motion for top-down twinstick gameplay; the issue is it is simply not very enjoyable to play. The taking pictures mechanics are far too inaccurate and the muddy textures and low decision make for an unpleasant expertise on the Swap. There are some good concepts right here, however Rogue Corps is way from the Contra rebirth we have been hoping for.
Writer: Konami / Developer: Konami
Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX actually looks like a neat thought in concept; one of many biggest shoot-em-ups of all time on a transportable gadget? Neat! In observe, nevertheless, Contra Advance introduces various compromises to the expertise that makes it less-than-ideal: blockier sprites; washed out visuals; downgraded audio high quality. All of it provides up, making this one a tricky advice when the SNES model of Alien Wars is so available.
Writer: HAMSTER / Developer: Konami
A part of the ‘Arcade Archives’ line-up on Swap, Contra is the arcade title unique via and thru, warts ‘n’ all. Its purity and ease are maybe its biggest options at the moment, however subsequent Contra titles have arguably trumped it by way of high quality and replayability. Nonetheless, it is price testing on Swap, although we might in all probability advocate the extra rounded providing obtainable within the Contra Anniversary Assortment.
Writer: Konami / Developer: Issue 5
A Sport Boy model of the SNES unique, this was developed by Issue 5, the studio behind the Tremendous Turrican video games on the Tremendous Nintendo and the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron collection. The degrees and general construction have been altered and a password system was added but it surely nonetheless manages to ship a serviceable recreation of Contra on a system with the processing energy of a modern-day toaster.
Writer: Konami / Developer: Konami
That is no doubt a Contra recreation (or Probotector in case you’re a robot-loving European) extra worthy of its title than, say, sure PlayStation entries. It hits on many of the elements that make a superb entry: difficult gameplay, tight controls, diverse enemies, killer arsenal, macho tunes, large bosses. For a title two years into the mighty moveable’s lifespan, it accomplishes a powerful quantity in shrinking the necessities of the beloved console/arcade collection. Sadly, gamers are compelled to go gung-ho solo, which is disheartening for multiplayer followers and kills a few of its longevity, but it surely’s outstanding simply how properly the sport holds up on the standard Sport Boy and followers of the NES video games would silly to move this up.
Writer: Konami / Developer: Konami
Obtainable as a part of the NSO Growth Pack — and thus technically obtainable to play on a Nintendo console outdoors of the Contra Anniversary Assortment — Contra: Onerous Corps represented the SEGA console debut of the collection and represented a little bit of a spin-off vibe by way of setting and characters. Although maybe not straightforward to understand for those who have encountered this solely within the Contra Anniversary Assortment, it made some notable adjustments in management scheme and gameplay mechanics from its predecessors.
A wonderful entry, it actually stands out as an inspiration for some modern-day ‘neo-retro’ run and gun video games, too.
