"Contra celebrates its 20th Birthday the only way it knows how: With endless Aliens, a Spread Gun, and lots and lots of explosions."

I've been a fan of Contra ever since I first played it on the NES, back when I was a wee 5-year-old. Since then I've grown up, and watched the series decline with each new installment. Granted, Contra III and Hard Corp were some darn good games, but after the crapfests that were Legacy of War and C: The Contra Adventure, my love for the series soon fell into doubt. I mean, Konami tried to do right with Shattered Solder and Neo Contra, but fun as they were, they just couldn't capture the white-knuckle adrenaline-fests that were the original three.

So when I heard about Contra 4, I was immediately skeptical. I mean, sure, the screenshots looked cool, but it seemed like it would be another attempt at a Contra III re-hash rather than something new or challenging. Still, the more I saw, the more hyped I was for the game, though there was still that little creeping doubt in the back of my mind that said I was only setting myself up for disappointment.

Thankfully, Konami and Wayforward have both proven me wrong. Contra 4 is a fantastic and beautiful love-letter to all those devoted fans that have played the originals back to front and then some; those poor, wayward souls who can beat the first game in one life, using nothing but the pea-shooter you start with. It is with them in mind that they made this game, and I, for one, am forever grateful. It manages to re-kindle the long-lost intensity of running through alien-infested jungles, enemy bases, all the while waving your Spread Gun with reverent pride, for you knew your enemies would fall before its might.

Graphics: 10/10

Graphics were never really an issue with Contra. I mean, you don't really have time to check out the scenery when Red Falcon's troopers are raining death on your head. Still, this game has some amazing-looking stages, so amazing that you won't notice the slow-moving bullets heading toward your shirtless commando until its too late. I can't count how many times I'd gotten killed in this game thinking "Wow, I can't believe how detailed the stages are!" Little did I know how much that would factor into the next section:

Difficulty: 9/10

Contra: Hard Corps still reigns as the toughest installment in the series, but this game definitely gives it a run for its money. It's obvious the team at Wayforward knew that the majority of people buying this game were hardened veterans, so they stepped up the difficulty in every way possible. This game is designed to squash even the most seasoned commandos like the weak, puny insects they really are. The enemy AI has been completely overhauled, their aim has improved (especially in hard mode), and they won't stop until one of you is dead. Don't get me started on the bosses, either. Most of the original bosses are back, and they too have been upgraded. For example, the fireball-spewing Alien from the Waterfall has returned, but he's not content to just sit back and spew fireballs, he'll try and run you through with two long claws, and if that doesn't work he'll try skewering you on his tail. Even when you think you beat him, he destroys the bridge your standing on and chases you down the waterfall at breakneck speed. Indeed, the aliens are not messing around this time. Even if you somehow manage to beat the game on Hard (I still haven't done it yet), there's still a challenge mode where you have to complete certain events, like survive without shooting back, or getting through a level with only limited ammo. Indeed, as many reviews have stated before, this is NOT a game for casual players. Heck, this game is designed to take so-called hardcore gamers down a few serious pegs.

Sound/Music - 10/10

The soundtrack for this game is the best I've heard in a while; quite a few of the tunes are remixed versions of the original contra stages (i.e., the Waterfall and Jungle themes), but blasting through that first stage with the original Contra theme blaring over the DS speakers is still just as awesome today as it was 20 years ago.

Gameplay: 10/10

The controls are still just as tight as ever, and the new grapple feature, which I thought was an unnecessary addition, integrated seamlessly with the rest of the controls. After a while it became second nature, especially since there are plenty of areas where you'll need to use it (Stage 2 and 4 especially). The rest of the controls are still there, though I'm kinda disappointed they took out the ability to use both weapons at the same time (like in Contra III), but I guess it wouldn't really serve much of a purpose (other than get you shot).

Overall: 10/10

Contra 4 is a solid addition to the series, and a wonderful tribute to the fans who have stuck by this series ever since they first beat their friend to the Spread Gun. My hat goes off to the team at WayForward for bringing back the good old days of Alien-Blasting. The difficulty is the only flaw in this diamond of a game, and since I can't give a 9.5, I'll just have to round to the highest number ;)

If you don't own it, get it. If you don't have a DS, you officially don't have an excuse anymore. Whatever means necessary; GET. THIS. GAME.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/20/07

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