"Let's Attack Aggresively!"

Its time for revenge!

Twenty years ago, Konami produced an arcade title named Contra, but most people know the title from the NES classic. In the game, two shirtless marines were dropped off on an island and proceeded to kick alien ass. It was hard, but with the now legendary Konami Code(granting the player 30 lives), it was a memorable experience. Now, in 2007, Contra is a popular franchise that delivers over-the-top challenging gameplay(PS1 titles and Neo Contra not included). For the 20th anniversary, Konami decided to let an American team named WayForward have the honors of crafting Contra 4 on the DS. You might have been worried that WayForward, a team who have only created one decent title in their life(Shantae on the GBC) would screw up. Fortunately, WayForward are big Contra fans, and have created arguably the best Contra ever.

Story? Contra don't need no story!

The original Contra on the NES is proof that you can have a great game and have an almost non-existent story. In fact, until the ending showed up at the end of the NES Contra, there wasn't a story at all! It didn't really matter. The entire game could have been a Running Man-esque reality TV show for all we know; you'd still be kicking alien ass none the less.

Contra IV has a (relatively) bigger plot, but thats not saying much. After the conclusion of the Alien Wars(Contra III) and Red Falcon destroyed, the Earth was peaceful once more. Unfortunately, it turns out the Alien Wars were merely on a two-year intermission. Black Viper, big bad alien guy and Red Falcon's friend, has come to Earth with a giant alien army. He set up base at Galuga Island, the setting of the original Contra, and planned on taking over the universe and all that jazz.

What does the United Nations do? Do they band together, Independence Day style, and conquer these alien invaders? "Screw that!" says America, "We'll just send in a couple of shirtless marines like we always do!" And thus, four alien-busting supersoldiers are dropped off on Galuga Island and told to "Attack Aggressively!"

...and thats the whole story. The fate of the Earth/galaxy/universe lies in the hand of four headband-wearing badasses. Cheesy, but its suppose to be. Besides, does it really matter? For all the hype, Halo 3 was basically the same thing: Aliens attack Earth, you and your fellow Marines go and whoop alien/space zombie ass.

Look at these graphics! Its like 1993 all over again!

The graphics were done with an ol' school flavor; meaning almost everything is in 2d pixel art. They're some exceptions with the 3d base levels, but its mostly looks like something off a Super Nintendo(albeit with some better animation). But that fine; in fact, I think it looks great! Giant sprites for bosses, big glowing bullets, and a look that makes everything feel like the Contra many fans grew up with.

Remixed Soundtrack FTW!

A lot of old ques from the series are back, like the pinging sound that tells you your weapons are doing damage, and the death gurgle when you die. The soundtrack is done by a man named Virt, who you may or may not know as a popular user on OCRemix. He has been studying the Konami style of music, and the tracks he puts in the game are something I'd expect Konami to use for a game like Contra. Some tracks are completely new, while others use a few familar Contra melodies(like the opening Jungle level). Even the intro music is back! Overall, the soundtrack is the perfect sound that gets you into the epic challenging gameplay you have come to expect from the series.

The controls are fine; its YOUR fault you died!

The controls are pretty much just like Contra III. Shoot, jump, switch weapons, etc. A new grappling hook has been added to the series. You can use this to ascend to the top screen in hectic battles(more on this later). Its very smooth, although I wish you could shoot while you are being pulled-up. I also wish they added some kind of button configuration in the Options menu. Some Contra III fans like myself might find themselves hitting X trying to switch weapons, which now throws away one of your weapons to give to your partner in multiplayer. A tad annoying, but nothing major, and eventually the controls become second nature. You won't find any annoying touch screen features that screw with the game here(I'm looking at you Dawn of Sorrow).

Enough talk, lets get to the action!

All of this wouldn't mean squat if the game didn't play very well. Luckily, Contra IV kicks all sorts of ass. The gameplay is straight out of Contra III, with your shirtless marine running, jumping, climbing and vehicle-riding your way across 9 levels. Some are horizontal, while others use the DS screen a bit more and have you ascending to the top for a big boss encounter. 3d levels are spread evenly through the game, and are decent fun. Each one ends with a throwback boss from one of the first three Contra games too, which I thought was a nice touch. Weapons are flying around the area in little capsules(where they come from nobody knows), and you can carry two of them ala Alien Wars on the SNES. If you get two of the same weapon power-up, you get the "super" version of that weapon, making the famed Spread-shot even more godly.

The only major flaw some people might see is...well...its hard. Its very, very, VERY hard. One of the hardest games to come out in years. On Normal, you get 5 lives and 4 credits. You lose all your lives, you can use a credit and go back to the beginning of the stage. You use all those up and its back to the beginning of the game. You lost your last continue on the 8th level? Well too bad, its time to start all over again. To some, this may seem like a harsh game design that was better left for dead back in the 16-bit days. To others, this is just what the doctor ordered. There is an easy mode, but you don't get to see the last two levels/ending.

There is a Hard mode too, which makes the game even harder somehow but does give you the original Jungle theme on the first level. After you beat the game, you unlock Challenge Mode, which is even HARDER than Hard mode. Like Ninja Gaiden Black's Mission Mode, Challenge Mode has you going back to areas in the game and doing specific things, like beating a level with limited ammo or no ammo at all! One hit, and you have to start over again. It does have plenty of unlockables for the persistent gamer, like the first two Contra titles on the NES, comics, an interview with the Contra III/Hard Corps director, galleries which go through the history of the series, secret characters, and more. Very fitting for a 20th anniversary installment.

The only real flaw in my mind is the fact that WayForward played it really safe with the game. A lot of the ideas are scenes related to older titles in the series. The jungle, the waterfall, the hoverbike, the 3d levels, the missile-riding...I've seen it before. Even the final boss looks a bit similar to the old ones. This is CONTRA 4! I want some big new ideas that make this version stand out and say "Damn, THIS is why WayForward made this game!" It makes the game feel like the ultimate version of Contra instead a new game entirely. It keeps it from reaching a 9/10 score because it doesn't stray away from familiar territory and do something incredible.

Cut to the chase; I aint got time to read!

But that just it. This is THE ultimate Contra game. It takes great ideas from the first three games and puts them into a somewhat bigger(and portable ^_^) package. With good 2d sprite-base graphics, remixed soundtrack by a big Konami fan, solid controls, challenging Contra-gameplay, and plenty of unlockables; its not a bad thing that WayForward kept to the winning Contra formula. It still works 20 years later.

In a world of big expensive titles like Halo 3 and Mass Effect, its nice to see a game made that hearkens back to the days before MMORPGs and 12-year olds screaming into their microphones on Xbox LIVE. Its really hard, but if you can withstand the pain, you get to play the best Contra game ever made.

Strap on that headband and take off your shirt. Contra is back and its never been better.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/19/07

Game Release: Contra 4 (US, 11/13/07)