Contra (NES) review "Over time there have been multiple Contra titles. Contra is a sidescroller shooter in which you have an unlimited amount of regular ammo, plus powerups, in which to work your way by yourself, or with a partner, to defeat millions of foes. Contra is not an indepth game, but like many NES games it was just for fun, and it did it's purpose well. "

Over time there have been multiple Contra titles. Contra is a sidescroller shooter in which you have an unlimited amount of regular ammo, plus powerups, in which to work your way by yourself, or with a partner, to defeat millions of foes. Contra is not an indepth game, but like many NES games it was just for fun, and it did it's purpose well.

STORY (1/5): There is a story present in there somwhere, I think. I really cannot tell, and I guess that is the problem. Like most NES games I do not own the book nor the box, so most of the story is lost on me. If there is one, it is weak and does not really represent Contra, nor should it.

GRAPHICS (9/10): This 3rd person game looks really nice as you work your way from cliff to cliff against enemies of mass porportion. While most the enemies look identical, this was a common occurence for NES games, and is still present in modern day games. The game is colorful and nice to look at, and that is the true goal for Contra

SOUND (7/10): Another game with the classic style of NES music. If you hadn't read many of my reviews, I refer to this as the beep music, or maybe old fashioned techno. It's all good. But in Contra while not very varied, it still gives the game the feel needed and a nice backdrop to the game itself.

GAMEPLAY (53/60): Contra is a 3rd person shooter, as I have stated before. You also however have the need to jump over long cliffs and dodge enemy fire. It's not completely side to side view, however, because at points of the game you will go to this back view and you will move your character side to side to avoid fire and destroy force fields. That is the purpose in Contra, to go melee style through a level with your power ups bursting a way to reach the final lair. You will be jumping across levels and gaining machine gun, lazer gun, and other famous powerups. It all originated in this sidescroller, which gave a long and fairly entertaining time.

REPLAYABILITY (6/10): I have not really spent too much time replaying Contra over and over, seeing I can not usually surpass the first two levels. However, like many classics, you can just play the game for about 15 minutes for no reason, except you just have that feeling. That nagging for the classics that you just can't turn away from.

DIFFICULTY (2/5): I either have a complete lack of skill, or the first two levels of Contra are impossible. While I can cruise through the first one in my sleep, the second one is insanely difficult, and the third one I have only reached once or twice (and trust me, I didn't last long). So while I know my lack of skill plays a part, Contra is a very difficult game in itself fit only for very good classic gamers.

VINTAGE VALUE (+2): This game did start the small series of Contra, the most succesful series for 3rd persons shooters likely. Contra is a legacy in it's own sort of way, and soon enough there will likely be a 3D version of that legacy. This is the first Contra game, and a strength of the series.

OVERALL (80/100): Contra is a game I will never forget. While it was not one of my favorite games of the time period, it still stands out as innovative and classic and has a high expectation for future members of the series. Contra is an experience every gamer should have, no matter what point of his life.

Community review by ratking (January 30, 2003) A bio for this contributor is currently unavailable, but check back soon to see if that changes. If you are the author of this review, you can update your bio from the Settings page.