Ah, Contra... What a history we have. Yes, I played it back on the Nintendo. No, I couldn't beat it without cheating. Or should I say 'we' since it was typically me and my bro playing since I never learned the Konami code until like 2004. He was ALWAYS player 1... Sniff... There was a time when the 2nd player didn't have the privilege of pausing the game... Anyway, we went on to rent Contra 3 (The Alien Wars) several times, and were once again stuck using a Game Genie to beat it. Strangely, we never tried out Contra: Hard Corps. Somewhere along the line, our interest waned (towards more possible games I guess) as we never played them again nor even looked at the Playstation titles (the bad reviews helped.) Even when I repo'd my Nintendo in 1999, I only played the Contras a couple times.
Sometime in 2000 I suddenly felt like buying Contra: Hard Corps. Why? No idea. I guess maybe I felt like playing a challenging game. Well, I got it. After much perseverance, I beat the game every way. This sparked the First Contra Renaissance. Or maybe not. I bought The Alien Wars and played some more Nintendo Contras, but didn't beat any of them. I abandoned hope of beating them. I can understand the Nintendo ones, since the system in question was a piece of s___ that couldn't be trusted to last a full game. No, it wasn't just age, that thing was just as unreliable back when it was brand new. But I'm getting off track. My interest once again died out before Shattered Soldier came along so I didn't get it.
Fast forward to to 2008... I suddenly felt like buying Contra: Shattered Soldier and Neo Contra. Why? No idea. Not a damn clue. Apparently I gained greater patience, because I stuck with the games and beat them. This sparked the Second Contra Renaissance Then, I decided to replay the other Contras and beat them too. And when I say beat them, I mean LEGIT. No 30-life code. It took a whole bunch of time and swearing, but I conquered the series save Operation C (never owned it) and anything after Neo (this predated them.)
Sorry about the flashbacks, but this brings me to my question. Which Contra was the hardest? The original is widely considered to be one of the Hardest Games Ever. However, I actually beat it rather easily (disregarding my attempts many many years ago.) I'm not sure it even took me 5 tries. Then I turned around and beat Super C that same day. I was in disbelief at myself. Maybe having played Hard Corps for several years and beating other Contras first built up my skills, but I don't think the originals are the hardest in the series. Now, they do seem to focus on momentum (keep the spreadshot!) as there are parts that just don't seem possible to get past without certain weapons (like those goddamn bulldozers on the snowfield.) Since I beat Contra with only 3 lives, I think I can reasonably make judgement calls on impossiblities.
Anyway, I believe The Alien Wars to be the hardest (playing on Hard, since that's the only way to see the true ending) Contra game. Despite my efforts, it was the LAST Contra game to be defeated by me, and I would say it took the most overall time to do too. Memorable moment: playing the game at work (I cashiered evenings at a gas station run by a boss who just didn't give a f___ what we did as long as we got work done), where I actually ended up beating it. Anyway, I was on that heart boss from the first game stuck in a rut of jumping over those Facehuggers, running back to my previous spot, and then jumping over the next wave, all while holding down the trigger on the Spread Gun and saying "OH S___." every time I jumped. This went on for at least a minute (it sure felt longer) before I finally got killed. This prompted a final "S___!", then I turned around to face a customer who had been standing there for who knows how long. He had been too busy watching me play to complain though. He simply said "Dude, that's insane." I must say I did engage in some 1-Up mining, although I didn't do it from a place of safety. I actually did it against the final boss, blasting aliens on both sides while keeping the shrimp above me from falling, when my lives fell to 0. I EARNED every single life I got, so I consider that legit.
After that, I'm not sure whether to put Shattered Soldier or Hard Corps next. I'm inclined to say SS. I hear a lot of Hard Corps being either the easiest or hardest, and I guess I can see where that comes in: the allmighty slide. The slide will save your ass in just about any situation, so if you master it, you're almost untouchable. On the other hand, you're REQUIRED to use it to not perish during certain moments. I've beaten HC multiple times (I've only beaten the others once or twice so far) but then again I have played it the most so I can't be certain on the difficulty going by that.
So, Contra fans... Which one did you find the hardest? I'd say:
The Alien Wars
Shattered Soldier
Hard Corps
Contra/Super C (hard to call)
Neo Contra (no contest)
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I'd definitely say The Alien Wars, since you're required to play the game on HARD just to see the full ending. And managing to make it all the way to the end game without wasting all your lives is a feat few men can say they've managed without resorting to cheating (guilty!). As with most Contra's, level and boss memorization goes a long way in keeping you alive. Unfortunately, that usually means dying... a lot.
Hard Corps, from my own experience, comes in second. Even on EASY, where the game gives you the maximum of 5 continues at 3 lives each (oh, how generous!), you'll find yourself hard-pressed to make it past some of the more random boss encounters before you peter out. Of course, we're talking about the western version of the game... the Japanese originally had a life bar and unlimited continues if I recall correctly, before it was localized and made into a sadist's dream. Again, memorization goes a long way. And replays were awesome because of the multiple-branch level progression.
Never played Contra 4? An easy number 3, I've only beat the Arcade mode once (mind, I haven't exactly been interested in replaying it lately). But this one easily shoots up to #1 if you factor in the Challenge Mode, which is pretty brutal. Like Bionic Commando:ReArmed, you're given various short challenges to overcome in order to unlock goodies, like full versions of NES Contra and Super C. Some of the things they ask you to do is just plain cruel. I don't think I've managed to complete Challenge mode yet. Maybe I never will.
I hear Arc System Works debuted a new Hard Corps at E3. I wonder why they're not calling it a Contra, though? Hmm...
... btw your website, while crude, made me chortle.
Indeed. Hard Corps: Uprising. Amusingly enough, I read a preview stating it was NOT a Contra game. Then I saw another source say it was in fact a Hard Corps prequel (starring Colonel Bahamut!) Anyway, it was kinda what inspired me to think about Contra and make this topic. Perhaps soon I shall have a Third Contra Renaissance and get myself a DS (I've been seriously wanting to get one just for C4.) Not sure if I'm ever gonna be able to play Rebirth though.
...BTW, thanks. I'm happy to please.
For all your lightgun shooting needs and some other insanity too.
conta 2
maybe 3 was worse but i loved 2 and played it more.
contra was one of those games next to space harrier that will suck your money clean, i remember when i would go to the arcades and waste everything i got on that evil game XD its so addictive back then and i pray i never come across it again cause i know i wont resist playing it and i'm bad at it.
Hmmm... I didn't take the arcade games into account, even if Contra and Super C were ports of them. Mostly because of my lack of experience with them. I never played Contra, and Super Contra only a few times. Haven't beaten it (though I got to the alien lair) yet but I'm sure I could crack it with a few hours. For the uninitiated, the arcade versions only give you a total of 5 or so continues before it cuts you off, even if you have more money. However, the game will wear you OUT. Jamming on a button on an arcade panel is a hell of a lot more taxing than jamming on a button on a controller. When I got to a part where I wouldn't have to jump often, I'd just use my fist to pound the fire button. Still, after playing, I needed to take at least like 30 minutes to recover before trying again. Seeing as how the arcade in question is pretty far away and costs a fee to enter (although Super Contra is free, thank god; all hail Nickel City), I only play there every once in a while. Haven't been there in 2 years, so I don't know if it's even there anymore.
However, the game grants you a big mercy: you continue right where you die. Since every other Contra game will kick you back, I'd have to conclude the arcade games (pretty certain arcade Contra was the same way) are probably the easiest.
For all your lightgun shooting needs and some other insanity too.
ha ha that's true the buttons are hard to use on the arcade, there's no automatic firing so you gotta keep going at it. i was talking from the past i too used to pound the buttons
at some point from the exahust, and just like space harrier contra was one of the "unbeatable arcade games". its just i loved the excitement from it, i was more trying to see how
far i would get.
that's cool btw about the arcades near where you are, and you should absolutely head back to arcade gaming its still fun even if we're all grown up, the arcades are for ever XD
i try to go weekly, i cant find the old games there though. but i'm happy with what i got. you're lucky you got contra the arcade, i dont want to play it unless its an arcade game.
Well, I went back to the arcade just yesterday. Actually, I go to the arcade whenever the power at my place goes out. Which happens a LOT, and typically during summer so hanging around the house is boring and miserable (damn Chicago weather.) Needless to say, that's EXACTLY what happened. More Super Contra!
I conducted an experiment to see if I could start with player 2 when I was about to die, but no go. Continues are shared. I stand by my assessment. Difficulty seems on par with the home port, but without forcing you to replay stuff, is easier. Sadly, I still didn't beat it, and I like to think it's because the controls seemed a little busted. The button mashing is WORSE than I remembered. My hand is still hurting.
In other news, level 5 of Contra 4 is really pissing me off.
For all your lightgun shooting needs and some other insanity too.
Arcades still exist in your neck of the woods?
'Round here, what passes for an arcade is a hole in a wall with little more than 5 cabinets total (at least two of them are Capcom fighters, one of them usually being MvsC2). Some version of DDR is usually present as well if there's room.
Yep, 3 in fact. Used to be 4. One isn't very cool at the moment. Another is a nickel arcade that costs 2 bucks to get in. As far as new games are concerned, the place sucks. However, it does have a selection of retro games that are FREE, which is where I spend all my time (and none of my money.) My playlist is Super Contra, Tetris, and some unknown game where you are a turret firing colored balls at lines of balls trying to get 3 in a row to stop them from reaching you. It's labeled "New Game", but I suspect it's really not. The last one is a Gameworks, and apparently it also happens to be one of the 2 locations in the USA to have House Of The Dead 4: Special (I believe Las Vegas is the only other place.) It's awesome. The entire second floor is almost all lightgun games. I guess I live in a relatively cool area.
For all your lightgun shooting needs and some other insanity too.
I guess you do!
some unknown game where you are a turret firing colored balls at lines of balls trying to get 3 in a row to stop them from reaching you. It's labeled "New Game", but I suspect it's really not.
Sounds like Puzzle Bobble/Bust-a-Move.
No, but they do have one of those. This game plays similar, but actually has at least one literal line of balls coming at you along a spiraling track. You're in this turret in the middle and can spin 360 degrees. Getting 3 balls in a row buys you more time. Actually, the balls sometimes come out more than 3 in row, but to make them disappear, you need to fire a like-colored ball at them, but you do need at least 3 other balls in a row to make 'em go, if that made any sense. If you mess up, you end up making more work for you. Pretty fun game.
For all your lightgun shooting needs and some other insanity too.
