Contra is one in every of a handful of franchises which have turn out to be utterly synonymous with gaming; certainly, likelihood is if you have not performed any Contra video games, then you definately’ll have at the very least heard of them. Konami’s shoot-em-up behemoth could have misplaced lots of its lustre lately (just about par for the course with Konami today, it appears, save for some glorious retro collections), however its earlier iterations have turn out to be iconic in their very own proper.
From the unique Contra in 1988 all the way in which as much as Contra: Rogue Corps in 2019, the sequence has hardly ever strayed from its comparatively easy system — run by means of a bunch of linear ranges and shoot up a bunch of dangerous guys — however that is arguably its largest draw. In an age the place gaming is extra complicated than ever, Contra is a unbelievable 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 effective folks to fee your favorite Contra video games on Nintendo platforms from the checklist beneath.
In the event you missed the voting part, then fear not! The checklist beneath is mechanically up to date in real-time based on every sport’s corresponding ‘Consumer Ranking’ on the Nintendo Life sport database. This implies 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 Unfold Shot and let’s take a look at the easiest Contra video games on Nintendo programs!
Be aware. Sure, we have included the Anniversary Assortment for completeness’ sake – in the event you’re not eager on collections being included in our rankings, then merely fake it is not there; the remainder of the checklist 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 had been hoping for.
Writer: Konami / Developer: Konami
Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX actually looks like a neat concept in concept; one of many best shoot-em-ups of all time on a transportable system? Neat! In observe, nonetheless, Contra Advance introduces numerous 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 authentic by means of and thru, warts ‘n’ all. Its purity and ease are maybe its best options these days, however subsequent Contra titles have arguably trumped it when it comes to high quality and replayability. Nonetheless, it is price testing on Swap, although we would most likely suggest the extra rounded providing accessible within the Contra Anniversary Assortment.
Writer: Konami / Developer: Issue 5
A Recreation Boy model of the SNES authentic, this was developed by Issue 5, the studio behind the Tremendous Turrican video games on the Tremendous Nintendo and the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron sequence. The degrees and total construction had been altered and a password system was added however it nonetheless manages to ship a serviceable sport of Contra on a system with the processing energy of a modern-day toaster.
Writer: Konami / Developer: Konami
That is indubitably a Contra sport (or Probotector in the event 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 entry: difficult gameplay, tight controls, various enemies, killer arsenal, macho tunes, huge bosses. For a title two years into the mighty moveable’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, however it’s exceptional simply how nicely the sport holds up on the standard Recreation Boy and followers of the NES video games would silly to move this up.
Writer: Konami / Developer: Konami
Accessible as a part of the NSO Growth Pack — and thus technically accessible to play on a Nintendo console exterior of the Contra Anniversary Assortment — Contra: Exhausting Corps represented the SEGA console debut of the sequence and represented a little bit of a spin-off vibe when it comes to setting and characters. Although maybe not simple to understand for people 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 superb entry, it actually stands out as an inspiration for some modern-day ‘neo-retro’ run and gun video games, too.
