Nes ~ Contra Review

Overview

Contra must be one of the best Nintendo shoot em ups I've ever seen and this is just a pure classic, no question about that.

Gameplay

Simple gameplay and fun. You make it to the end of the level and on the way you get to do some hardcore destruction of killing enemies and turrets. Then you face some rather tough big bosses. Instead of normally jumping, you somersault all over the place and this can be quite a sight to see, somersaulting and shooting at once!

Some levels for a change require you to shoot forwards, or into the screen in the indoor missions. This adds great variety to the gameplay.

However, I am very annoyed by the fact that whatever enemy or bullet you touch once, you lose a life.

9 out of 10

Graphics

Excellent graphics! Colours have been used to maximum effect, bringing out some of the best NES graphics of its time. Immediately you can tell what sort of terrain you're on. Green for grass, white for snow and brown for cliffs.

5 out of 5

Sound

The music sounds great. It's catchy and sort of builds adrenaline into you. Each level of course has different music, so it's never repetitive.

5 out of 5

Game Design

The levels have many multiple platforms. In some you only go up and there are even indoor levels where you shoot ahead. To add to the already cool platforms, they've thrown in obstacles like boulders and water.

4.5 out of 5

Longevity

The game is perhaps too challenging to start off with in the first few levels and the rest.

There is no save or password option, but you can continue on the same level after losing all your lives! Choice!

And if that isn't enough, there's a 2 player option thrown in for double the fun.

4 out of 5

For: stuff all over the screen for you to do some hard out shooting, alot of fun somersaulting around, excellent graphics and sound, interesting levels, unlimited credits, 2 player option.

Against: lose a life after getting hit once, starts off quite difficult, no password saving