In the year 2633, the malevolent Red Falcon Organization establishes a stronghold on the Galuga archipelago near New Zealand, plotting to dominate the world. Two commandos, Pfc. Bill Rizer and Pfc. Lance Bean of the Contra unit, an elite force specializing in guerrilla warfare, are dispatched to this island to dismantle the enemy forces and uncover the true nature of the alien entity controlling them.

Gameplay Mechanics

Contra offers a variety of playing perspectives, including a standard side view, a pseudo-3D setup where the player navigates by shooting and advancing towards the background, and a fixed screen format. Character movement and aiming are controlled by the joystick, which enables shooting leftward, rightward, or upward while standing, and horizontally and diagonally while walking. During jumps, the character performs a somersault rather than a conventional leap.

Weapon System

The player starts with a rifle equipped with unlimited ammunition, which can be upgraded to four other guns: a machine gun, a powerful laser gun, a fireball gun that spirals its projectiles, and a spread gun that sprays bullets in five directions. These upgrades are acquired by destroying pill box sensors, capturing flying item capsules, or defeating red-clad guards in enemy bases. Each weapon is represented by a Falcon-shaped symbol marked with a letter indicating its function (F, S, R, and B).

Power-Ups

Three auxiliary power-ups become available in specific areas when the player uses the default gun. A rapid bullets upgrade boosts the firing speed, a barrier grants temporary invincibility, and a bomb clears all on-screen enemies. These items manifest as Falcon symbols, each bearing a unique letter to denote their utility.

Levels

The gameplay unfolds through seven distinct stages. The first is a side-scrolling level where players fend off enemy forces in the jungle until they reach the base's entrance and destroy the large sensor. In stage two, the pseudo-3D view takes over as players navigate through a series of passageways, destroying corner sensors to bypass electric barriers. Stage three is set in the base's core, requiring the player to destroy sensors above them to expose and eliminate the target. Stages four through six follow a similar pattern, culminating in stage four, a vertically-scrolling level within a waterfall environment.

The final stage returns to the side-scrolling format, featuring a fight against a hovercraft, armored vehicles, and giant helmeted soldiers. The landscape includes environments like a snowfield, an energy plant, and a hangar, leading to the alien's lair. Here, regular enemy soldiers are replaced with otherworldly creatures, culminating in a battle against a giant alien head that spews larvae before the final target—a heart that must be destroyed to complete the mission.

Conclusion

Contra is a thrilling remake of the classic arcade game, transporting players to a futuristic world where they must utilize advanced weaponry and strategic maneuvers to thwart an alien invasion. With its engaging storyline, dynamic gameplay, and a mix of challenging levels, Contra promises an exhilarating gaming experience that will test both your reflexes and tactical skills.