The game was first released on 1987 in Arcade before being released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988. It was also released on different systems such as the MSX2, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 (XBLA), Nintendo DS, Virtual Console, Mobile Phone. This game will test the skills of every gamer, and die hard fans of the original game will relive their days of glory. To me, movies like Rambo, Predator, and Commando inspired this great game.
Plot. The story begins with two characters named Bill and Lance, who are dropped into an island near South America and to neutralize the Red Falcon, a ruthless terrorist organization that is secretly planning to take over the world. However, they will soon discover the true origin of the Red Falcon.
Concept. Players must guide Bill and Lance on eight different levels, and defeat the bosses to save the world from the invasion of the Red Falcon organization.
Design. The graphics are 8-bit, and the designs are very well made. I must give Konami credit, they really do know how to make great games and design the stages very well. My personal favorite stages are the Snow Field, Energy Zone, and Factory. The Base stages were designed in 3D, and the designs are exceptional. Great job Konami, as always.
Music. Konami has once again did a great job in making the music so defining. I really enjoy Konami music games, they are simply the best ones ever made in video games.
Memories. I played this game back in 1994 when I was 8 years old. Those days were amazing, and I really enjoyed playing with my cousin and also with my siblings as well. Even after so many years, my mid-30's brother and early 30's sister STILL know the Contra trick. The memories.
Rantings. What I do not like about this game, is that whenever you get hit, you died. That is what bothered me the most. Also, the part I hated in the snowy fields were those mortar bombs being thrown from behind the trees. When I was a kid, and things like that happened, I'd either throw my controller and go all Bruce Lee on the wall. Another stage that I hated was the Energy Zone, because those flames were spewed out of the pipes, in which I would make a loud rant. The ending is something I did not like that much.
Good Aspect. What I like about this game is the challenging gameplay that this game has. Also what I like about this game is battling the bosses with a spread gun, because it made things a lot easier, but still the game was tough to beat. Contra is a cult classic for gamers of the old generation, and even some new generation gamers I've met told me that they love the game. It's up to you to beat this game with the cheat or the hard way at your own risk.
Legacy. Contra has left a great legacy of many successful sequels and games for future consoles like the SNES, PlayStation, and so on. Super Contra was released for the NES in 1990, and a remake was made for the SNES. Contra III and Contra Force were released on 1992, except that Contra III was in the SNES, and Contra Force was in the NES. Contra: Hard Corps was released on the Sega Genesis in 1994. Then in the late 90's Contra: Legacy of War was released for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1996. The Contra Adventure was released in 1998. In the early 2000s, Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo developed two Contra games for the PlayStation 2, Contra: Shattered Soldier in 2002 and Neo Contra in 2004. In 2007, Contra 4 was released for the Nintendo DS, a co-production between Konami of America and WayForward Technologies. Contra ReBirth, developed by M2, was released for the Wii as a Wiiware title in 2009.
Overall. Contra is a great game, and left behind a great legacy over the glorious years in video gaming history. The game has high replay value, and it is very enjoyable. Due to it's high difficulty though, I give this game a 7 out of 10.