Contra is one in every of a handful of franchises which have develop into utterly synonymous with gaming; certainly, chances are high if you have not performed any Contra video games, then you definately’ll have not less than heard of them. Konami’s shoot-em-up behemoth could have misplaced plenty of its lustre lately (just about par for the course with Konami lately, it appears, save for some glorious retro collections), however its earlier iterations have develop 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 sequence has not often strayed from its comparatively easy system — run by way of 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 incredible reminder that you do not want a boatload of options to make a cracking sport.
So, very similar to our different reader-ranked polls, we requested you tremendous individuals to charge your favorite Contra video games on Nintendo platforms from the listing beneath.
If you missed the voting section, then fear not! The listing beneath is mechanically up to date in real-time in accordance with every sport’s corresponding ‘User Rating’ on the Nintendo Life sport database. This means to can affect the order proper now, if you want, by clicking on the star subsequent to every sport and awarding it our personal rating.
So equip your self with a Spread Shot and let’s try the perfect Contra video games on Nintendo programs!
Note. Yes, we have included the Anniversary Collection for completeness’ sake – in case you’re not eager on collections being included in our rankings, then merely faux it is not there; the remainder of the listing will nonetheless be in the identical order!
Publisher: 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 capturing mechanics are far too inaccurate and the muddy textures and low decision make for an unpleasant expertise on the Switch. There are some good concepts right here, however Rogue Corps is much from the Contra rebirth we had been hoping for.
Publisher: Konami / Developer: Konami
Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX definitely looks like a neat concept in concept; one of many biggest shoot-em-ups of all time on a conveyable machine? Neat! In follow, nonetheless, Contra Advance introduces a lot of compromises to the expertise that makes it less-than-ideal: blockier sprites; washed out visuals; downgraded audio high quality. It all provides up, making this one a troublesome suggestion when the SNES model of Alien Wars is so available.
Publisher: HAMSTER / Developer: Konami
Part of the ‘Arcade Archives’ line-up on Switch, Contra is the arcade title authentic by way of and thru, warts ‘n’ all. Its purity and ease are maybe its biggest options these days, however subsequent Contra titles have arguably trumped it by way of high quality and replayability. Still, it is price trying out on Switch, although we would in all probability advocate the extra rounded providing out there within the Contra Anniversary Collection.
Publisher: Konami / Developer: Factor 5
A Game Boy model of the SNES authentic, this was developed by Factor 5, the studio behind the Super Turrican video games on the Super Nintendo and the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron sequence. The ranges and general construction had been altered and a password system was added but it surely nonetheless manages to ship a serviceable sport of Contra on a system with the processing energy of a modern-day toaster.
Publisher: Konami / Developer: Konami
This is indubitably a Contra sport (or Probotector in case you’re a robot-loving European) extra worthy of its title than, say, sure PlayStation entries. It hits on a lot of the facets that make a great entry: difficult gameplay, tight controls, assorted enemies, killer arsenal, macho tunes, large bosses. For a title two years into the mighty transportable’s lifespan, it accomplishes a formidable quantity in shrinking the necessities of the beloved console/arcade sequence. 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 Game Boy and followers of the NES video games would silly to go this up.
Publisher: Konami / Developer: Konami
Available as a part of the NSO Expansion Pack — and thus technically out there to play on a Nintendo console outdoors of the Contra Anniversary Collection — Contra: Hard Corps represented the SEGA console debut of the sequence and represented a little bit of a spin-off vibe by way of setting and characters. Though maybe not simple to understand for people who have encountered this solely within the Contra Anniversary Collection, it made some notable modifications in management scheme and gameplay mechanics from its predecessors.
An glorious entry, it definitely stands out as an inspiration for some modern-day ‘neo-retro’ run and gun video games, too.
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