Contra III: The Alien Wars

"Still the best ......"

The contra series havent been well represented on the PSX….and that's an understatement. After waiting years for a 32-bit version I was bestowed with not one, but TWO ultra shoddy renditions of the Konami classic. Seeing that there was no hope for a 64-bit version, I had no option but to dig out the SNES and GENESIS and relive those classic moments of HARD CORPS and especially …….ALIEN WARS.

GRAPHICS: 8/10 :- One of the main things which puzzled me about this game were the graphics….they were great and average at the same time!! I mean, the stage colours look a bit drab, and the player models are not that advanced from the NES version. The colours of the SNES havent been put to great use here….i mean Super Mario World came out at the same time, but it looks loads better!! On the postive side, the game is sprinkled with great mode-7 fx like the jet which flies into the screen mid-level 1. Plus all the bosses look great, and the top down mode-7 levels showed off the power of the SNES like no other!! The genesis version looks better by comparison, and I have no idea why konami didn't return for another SNES contra later on in the SNESs' life…it would have looked absolutely smashing by then!!

SOUND: 10/10 :- One of the most well composed scores of all time…and I mean it!! The SONY designed SNES sound chip is put through its paces to produce some of the most awesome music heard!! Check out the drums on level3 … all stages feature super-sharp music with excellent composition!! Hell, it even makes many n64 and psx midi music sound pathetic (case in mind Ffantasy7, Banjo-Kazooie, and the PSX contras'!!). The sound fx are equally excellent, with loud and bassy explosions. Superb stuff!!

GAMEPLAY: 9/10 :- If u have played any of the previous conta games, u know what to expect…run through the stages blasting off anything you see, in a one player or two player mode. The mid-bosses are quite excellent, and the action is always heavy!! You have your selection of guns, and can hold 2 at a time . The 2 player cooperative mode is a great feature, especially in the top down levels, where you have the option of splitting the screen into 2 or playing on the same screen. Lots and lots of action except for the fact that…theres' just isnt enough (!!). Yep, the gaping hole in this classic has to be that's its short….just 6 levels of jam-packed action; and just when you were gasping for more!! I still sit down and just wonder what would have konami come up with the next SNES contra after listening to the criticisms levelled at this one. You know that they listened to you if you played the genesis version…it has loads of levels and characters, but lacks that classy feel, although it in itself is a top game.

Bottomline: 9/10 :- A classic nonetheless, and only Super Turrican and Contra:HARD CORPS (Genesis) come close to matching its brilliance. Leave the psx stinkers, heres' where you will get your real CONTRA!!!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 01/13/01