Contra
Contra is a seminal run-and-gun shooter developed by Konami for the NES in 1988. Set in 2633 AD, players control elite commandos Bill Rizer and Lance Bean as they battle the Red Falcon alien organization across eight stages of intense side-scrolling action. Known for its punishing difficulty, the game popularized the 30-life 'Konami Code' and set the standard for cooperative arcade-style gameplay on home consoles.
Game Controls
About This Retro Game
Contra revolutionized the shooter genre with its fluid controls, varied weapon system, and cinematic set pieces. Players navigate jungle bases, waterfalls, and alien lairs while switching between five distinct weapons: the standard Rifle, Spread Shot (most powerful), Laser, Fireball, and rapid-fire Machine Gun. The game alternates between traditional side-scrolling levels and pseudo-3D 'Base' stages where players move into the screen.
The game's design emphasizes memorization and precision, with enemy patterns that require split-second reactions. Notable challenges include the 'Energy Zone' with its crushing walls and the final alien hive's pulsating heart boss. The NES version improved upon the arcade original with new stages, tighter controls, and the iconic two-player simultaneous mode that became a hallmark of the series.
Contra sold over 3 million copies on NES and spawned numerous sequels. Its influence can be seen in modern titles like Cuphead and Broforce, while its soundtrack (particularly the 'Jungle Theme') remains one of the most recognizable in gaming history.
The game's legacy includes defining the 'run and gun' subgenre and establishing Konami as a leader in action games. Its combination of relentless action, strategic weapon selection, and cooperative play created a template that continues to inspire developers decades later.
Related Retro Games
A spin-off in the Contra series featuring a team of four special operatives with unique abilities battling terrorists in an urban environment with improved weapon systems.
The ultimate alien-blasting sequel! Battle through 8 stages as Bill and Lance with enhanced Spread Guns and new overhead-view levels to destroy the Red Falcon organization.
The European version of Contra featuring robotic protagonists instead of human soldiers due to regional content restrictions. Battle through 8 stages of intense alien warfare with a friend in co-op mode.
The 1994 Genesis-exclusive installment in Konami's legendary run-and-gun series introduces a new elite squad battling a biomechanical terrorist threat in a post-Alien Wars future. Notable for its branching paths, multiple endings, and extreme difficulty.
Contra is the seminal run and gun shooter that defined the genre with its intense action, iconic power-up system, and relentless challenge. Players control commandos Bill Rizer and Lance Bean as they battle through waves of alien enemies in this classic arcade masterpiece.
Contra Advance is a 2002 enhanced port of the SNES classic Contra III: The Alien Wars for Game Boy Advance. This version features redesigned levels, new weapons, and exclusive bosses while retaining the series' signature run-and-gun action. Includes a brand new 'Alien Corridor' stage not found in the original.