Contra

"The blueprint of action/shooters of modern times."

Contra was the first video game I ever played. I never had an Atari and didn't own a computer. One day, my dad bought a Nintendo Entertainment System and a game called Contra. Since I had never played video games before, I wasn't really jumping for joy. I was more into action figures and hot wheels back then. I still decided to give this new thing a shot. After all, a lot of people seemed to have fun with it. After playing the game once, I was hooked. I couldn't stop. I used to wait for my parents to go to sleep, then sneak out to the living room and play the game. It was so cool killing people and destroying stuff. Getting new weapons was so much fun. Imagining myself as a hero and playing it, gave me such a great feeling.
Contra is one of the gratest games of all time. A true classic. Every action/shooter game nowadays has some of the Contra influence in it. The game had everything, from a bunch of different weapons, to an intimidating final boss. With 8 different levels, this game planted the seeds of video game violence nowadays.
One of the coolest things about Contra was the 2-player mode. This mode allowed you and a friend to play as two different Contras at the same time. The only thing better than killing a bunch of bad guys is killing them with someone. I just wish that some of the newer games have this feature. ''One'' would be so awesome if it had it.
Contra also had a bunch of different weapons, which looked different too. Weapons ranging from the flame thrower to the laser helped you in your mission. Of course no weapon could beat everyone's favorite- the spread gun. When you play any action or shooter game now, keep Contra in mind.

Graphics: 7.
Surprisingly good for the NES. I still find it funny though, how you can almost outrun your own bullets. By the way why don't your partners bullets hurt you?

Sound: 8.
Good background music and nice effects from the different guns.

Gameplay: 7.
Very simple. Go forward and protect yourself by shooting.

Replay Value: 6.
Beating the game over and over again doesn't really do that much for me.

Overall: 7.
This game is still fun even with the new systems. If you are thinking of buying a NES, definitely buy this game.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 03/03/00, Updated 03/03/00