
Konami's massively popular Contra became synonymous with side-scrolling shoot-'em-up action when it was released for the NES in 1988 — so much so that when the sequel hit Nintendo's home console in 1990, Konami felt confident that a single, stylized 'C' would be enough to evoke the series' name in the hearts and minds of loyal fans. While it doesn't stray far from the first game's formula for success, Super C stays true to its impressive pedigree, offering up rock-solid run-and-gun gameplay, an excellent co-op experience and a serious challenge.
As members of an elite Earth defence force, players take on arch-villain (and alien) Red Falcon's enemy forces — now including brainwashed U.S. Army troops — over eight levels. All of the essential elements return from the first game: side-scrolling shooting, eight-way aiming, fun power-ups and weapon upgrades, big bad bosses, plenty of cannon fodder, and — of course — one-hit deaths. The series' trademark tight control is fully present here as well; movement is fast and responsive, and the ability to adjust your jump in mid-air makes avoiding the constant barrage of bullets a much more manageable, and satisfyingly stylish, task. There's no auto-fire, however, so get ready for some serious thumb-ache as you manually rat-a-tat-tat your way to the right.

You'll start your alien assault with a paltry single-shot gun, but as in all the best shoot-'em-ups a meatier model is just a power-up away. By shooting down flying capsules you'll be able to upgrade to the rapid-fire machine gun, the plodding but powerful laser, the flame-throwing fire gun and that perennial favourite, the spread gun. None of these upgrades stack, unfortunately, so you won't be brewing up any spread-shot lasers, but there's a bit of strategy in picking the best tool for the job and deciding when to pass up a power-up. The spread gun (which fires several shots in a forward-facing arc) will be the biggest help in getting through most stages, for instance, but the focused fire gun and otherwise-awkward laser are perfect for making quick work of bosses.
So far, Super C sounds almost like a carbon copy of Contra, but it does do a bit to shake things up. The biggest additions are the new vertically-scrolling stages, which take place from a top-down perspective. These are a fun change of pace from the regular rightward charge, but without the ability to jump or strafe — understandable, perhaps, given the NES' limited controller layout — these levels lose out on a lot of the finesse afforded by the classic Contra model, and as a result just don't seem to 'fit' the game as well as the others. The side-scrolling stages have seen a subtle shift in their geometric makeup as well, thanks to the inclusion of diagonal surfaces. It's a small change, to be sure, but it definitely adds to the level layouts, and feels right at home thanks to the eight-way aiming.

Super C isn't a long game by any stretch — you can beat it in well under half an hour if you really know what you're doing — but it's got two things going for it which should help extend its life by quite a bit. The first is the legendary difficulty. The original Contra is regarded as one of the most difficult games in a genre characterized by difficult games, and while general opinion seems to be that Super C tones down that challenge, know that it's a decidedly relative comparison; this is a very tough game. The slightest contact with enemies, projectiles, turrets — just about anything but the sweet, sweet ground, really — will kill you in one hit, and right from the start there's no shortage of any of these. And with just three lives and two continues to work with, making it to the end credits requires serious skill — or liberal use of the save states afforded by the Wii U Virtual Console — rather than simply dogged determination.
Luckily, having to start from scratch every nine lives isn't the only reason to keep replaying Super C. Like its predecessor, this is a consummate co-op experience, and taking on the alien invasion is so much more fun with a friend. With enemies frequently coming in from both sides — or from all directions in the top-down stages — Super C practically cries out for cover fire, and is an absolute blast with two players.
Super C's graphical presentation is eight-bit impressive from the get-go, with a stunning sunset start to set the tone, though the opening levels are a bit bland thematically. Happily, things pick up with the third stage — a jungle where you'll wade through water and find enemies waiting behind background foliage — and get more and more interesting as you move closer to Red Falcon's alien lair. Accompanying it all is an arcade-rock soundtrack that has some high-energy hits, but is largely covered up by the cacophony of combat for most of the game.
Conclusion
If at times Super C feels a bit "standard" from a modern perspective, it's only because it was instrumental in shaping the side-scrolling shoot-'em-up mold we now take for granted; it's a template that would later stamp out classics like Gunstar Heroes and Metal Slug. And though it may lack the charm and personality of those later variations on the theme, it's still well worth playing both as a classic of the genre and as a fun, rewarding game in its own right. It's an especially easy recommendation for two player teams, but any retro action fan will have a great time with this run-and-gun rite of passage.
Comments 24
Thanks for the review! I'm trying to hold out for the original... does anyone know if there a rights hold-up on it or something?
Prefer probotector
@sleepinglion If you have a DS, the original Contra is unlockable along with Super C on Contra 4!
Use the 10 guy code when you first start out. Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, then Start. I love this game, better than the original and those lame "3D" levels though I still wish they would release that sometime.
Contra NES is a classic. That one needs a re-release badly. Too bad Konami hates the game and refuses to release it.
The Megadrive Hard : Corps is still the best Contra.
Much better pace and alternative paths.
Sounds like we all have a favorite. Perhaps a compilation of some kind would be a nice move by Konami.
awesome game. I hope they release the original contra someday soon
The original Contra is on my NES must-play list.
There you go.
wonderfully and totally classic. gotta love that jungle level and the japanese hodge-podge insanity that is the final boss - it just doesn't make sense! oh and don't forget that skull and bones thing u gotta fight. wicked.
its every bit as good as the original and i wouldn't argue if you wanted to say that it's even better.
if you're looking for recommendations, contra 3 for SNES was also good in it's own right and basically faithful to the original style. contra 4 for DS (many many years later) was also really really good, if a bit on the insanely impossible side.
additionally, i also enjoyed operation C for the original gameboy, though its a very pared down version for the most part.
hm, maybe contra 4 borrowed that sub fight from operation c? something to think aboot!
"The original Contra is regarded as one of the most difficult games in a genre characterized by difficult games, and while general opinion seems to be that Super C tones down that challenge, know that it's a decidedly relative comparison; this is a very tough game."
When you say "original Contra" I guess you don't really mean the original Contra in the arcades, but the different NES Contra, right? I'd argue that the first NES Contra is a pretty easy game, though. Nowhere near as hard as most other games in the genre. And also, Super C is MUCH harder IMO.
But yeah, a 7 overall feels right. It's a good game, but not great.
Love the Clash reference in the kicker!
Thanks to save states, I actually managed to finally beat this game. Hey, say what you will about the states making some of these old games easier, but at least I'm able to see the end of them!
Loved playing this game with my aunt and my daddy in my childhood.
I'm very glad my dad said it's not a war game since for some reason i was totally against these when i was little.
Of course i'd also get the first NES Contra on the Wii U VC since i only have DS versions of that. As well as Hard Corps, but that seems to be a different story altogether.
@Kawaii_Neko There is a version on one of the Konami collections for the DS that is better than that one.
Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits
Contra Evolution, was released in arcades in China - Never knew that thought it was made for mobile - So they released it in the only way they could ensure it would never work properly. (Touchscreen only no joystick support).
I had totally forgotten about this game until recently, but I can't wait to play it again. I've beaten Contra countless times, but I only played this one once or twice. I just ordered an original copy from Amazon...can't wait to try it as it was meant to be played!
My least favorite contra ever..
i love the contra complaints
@WaveBoy Damn right lol you made my day with this comment. But regardless of it this still way better than that disaster that was Contra Force.
@GunstarHero234 oh come on contra force wasnt that bad!! try contra legacy of war onthe playstation its much worse than contra force
@Burning_Spear Thanks!! Glad someone caught that! =D
What is the deal with Konami not releasing the original Contra? Just like with the original Wii Virtual Console, they skip right past the classic original game and just release Super C and III.. I don't get it. I know there's no Sega Genesis/Mega Drive support on the Wii U VC, but it's still a crying shame that neither the Wii or Wii U VC got those Konami gems Contra Hard Corps and Castlevania Bloodlines...
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...