Contra (or Probotector / Gryzor if you're in Europe) is one of those series which perhaps isn't as popular today as it deserves to be. During the 8 and 16-bit eras it was one of the best run-and-gun action franchises around, with amazing instalments on the NES, Mega Drive, SNES and Game Boy. While there have been efforts to revive it in recent years - WayFoward's sublime Contra 4 on the DS, for example - the series has largely fallen out of favour with modern players.
If you're one of those people who refuses to stand for this and still loads up Contra III on a regular basis, then you'll probably have strong feelings about Contra Force. Released towards the end of the NES' lifespan, this game isn't really part of the Contra lineage at all - it was going to be released in Japan under the title Arc Hound, but that version was ultimately cancelled, leaving only Contra Force in its place. Because no other version exists, many have incorrectly assumed over the years that it's a "true" entry in the beloved series.
Our friends over at iRetrogamer.com have published a video which takes at look at this unusual title, and it's well worth a watch. Contra Force actually has a lot going for it - the visuals are great and there are some unique gameplay features, such as the option to toggle between four different characters on the fly. However, it's easy to see why the game has been on the receiving end of so much hate over the years; the slowdown is terrible and the game's storyline - which involves taking down terrorists - lacks the epic feel of previous Contra outings, which had you fighting aliens and robots.
What are your feelings about Contra Force? Let us know by posting them below.
Comments 17
I have this game !
Always great videos from iretrogamer.
I've never even heard of this game though, so I'm pretty surprised. Love Contra 3, still play it a few times a month. Those end stages get brutal though...
The plague of having to live up to a name that already had a rampant fanbase. Criterion's NFS Most Wanted 2012 experienced similar bashing since the name led people to expect everything that had entertained them in Black Box's game years ago - whereas Criterion simply married their Burnout Paradise experience to NFS street racing formula. Which made for a solid and fun game with plenty to do and explore, but the reaction was akin to that fan crossover animation: "I can talk, too" - "YOU'RE NOT A PONY!"
Perhaps this marketing trick isn't worth it after all? X^)
I gave Contra Force a go a while back. The technical problems were too much for me. I went back to Contra and Super C after that and had fun.
I actually sampled this game and was like "oh, this must be one of those one of games like Snakes Revenge or Super Mario Bros. 2 where it had the name, but not the game of the main series". I didn't get to get too far into it, so I can't say I love or hate it, but if I get to play it again, I'll probably play through it for completionists sake.
Thought the 'hated' award always went the the 3D titles
Contra Force also uses the Gradius power-up system, as I recall.
I don't know why it would be hated necessarily. It's not as good as Contra and Super C but not too bad, especially the different characters you could use.
well is a hated game because it wasn't a contra game in the first place.
Got the cart. I believe it was released at the same time as Contra 3, give or take a bit. The weapons system was weird until I started thinking of the game as Gradius on foot! The slowdown killed it for me, though. It would actually be a fun VC release on Switch's paid online - - with slowdown removed!
How can any Contra game be more hated than the PS1 entries?
Rented this game a few times. I dug it, reminded me of GI Joe
I loved this game. Especially the music. The slow down was like cheating for me because it would me time to react to whatever was in my way.
< 5 copies
Been trying to get a copy, but boy are those expensive.
Always wanted to play it when it came out but nowhere local had it for rent or to buy.
There was a solid Contra on PS2 without the spreadshot. I don't remember it's name.
EDIT: It was Shattered Soldier
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