GENRE
	Action
	DEVELOPER
	WayForward Technologies
	PUBLISHER
	Konami
	LOCAL WIRELESS MULTI-PLAY
	Yes
	Wi-Fi/GLOBAL ONLINE MULTI-PLAY
	No
	MICROPHONE
	No
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Twenty years have passed since Contra blasted its way onto the video game scene, and now WayForward Technologies pays homage to the series with the next successor, Contra 4. The title follows the ideology of New Super Mario Bros., by going back to the basics of the series with sprites and hardcore action. While Contra 4 delivers the Contra experience players know and love, it fails to present anything groundbreaking or new to rise above previous incarnations.

visuals

The game harkens to Contra III: The Alien Wars with 2D side-scrolling graphics with detailed sprites of characters and enemies. The sprites and environments have been bumped up, as characters kneel while traversing inclines and water showcases refraction effects on underwater plants. The colors appear vibrant and lively, with the art direction top-notch on developing bosses. The first boss that demonstrates great design begins with the Waterfall stage, a purple alien that fills almost both screens with only its upper body. This obviously allows for boss battles to become more cinematic, with almost every fight consisting of time-specific events and multiple iterations.

While the sprites and environments will please fans of the series, the 3D third-perspective segments look bland and uninspired. The return to the over-the-shoulder sections is a nostalgic addition, yet the stages seem lackluster to the side-scrolling levels. The stages basically are covered in shades of grey or dark purple later on, which contrasts greatly to the brightness and versatility of environments throughout the rest of the title. Everything from the boss battles to environments in these three stages seems unforgettable, and the developers may believe the same because almost none of the Challenge Mode missions take place here. Hopefully, a possible sequel will add more detail and color to each room, or the stages will be scrapped for the alternate top-down sections of Super C.

audio

The sound of this game screams Contra, as composer Jake Kaufman perfectly balances old and new music by remixing in past songs with new tunes. The first time players arrive via helicopter into the Jungle level, players will immediately hear audio delight that throws them entirely into the experience. Additionally, the Waterfall stage contains two different tracks that intermix at the beginning of the falls and demonstrate that hard rifts and 80s metal still bring delight to players’ ears. The clanks and chinks of enemies being hit or tanks being fired upon also sound spot-on on for the series. The only odd side of the audio deals with voice effects that sound like they were taken straight from Command & Conquer.

gameplay

The series has been known for its fast-paced shooting and quick jumping skills while dodging a screen riddled with bullets. This action returns in a grand way, as players will ride on futuristic motorcycles to grappling across chasms. The grappling mechanic is the newest addition to the series, as players will use the X button to shoot a grappling hook upwards to latch onto certain spots. This ability is used throughout the game, but mainly feels like a method to reach the upper screen of the DS instead of a groundbreaking new addition to the series.

The depth of this game comes from the smart implementation of weapon choice throughout each stage. The game allows for players to switch between two weapons, so players will not just stick to one gun the entire game. Unlike previous titles where players would blast away with the spread, gun selection is as important as cat-like reflexes to finish a stage. The homing missile works very well while climbing the waterfall or in the over-the-should levels, but the machine gun or laze may be a boss’ weakness. This also adds to the replayability of the title, as players can vary their weapon configuration with each playthrough.

Players should be ready to constantly replay through stages, too, because this game harkens back to titles that were relentless and brutal. It may take some gamers up to an hour or more just to beat the first stage on easy. Players will have to memorize enemy layout and boss weaknesses to complete stages, which greatly differs from current titles where gamers can beat a level the first time. Easy mode does help novice gamers get a grasp on the levels, but normal or hard mode is the only way to see all nine stages. In regards to this difficulty, the levels do have some balancing issues. Once again, the over-the-shoulder stages seem easier. I was able to lie on the ground firing the homing missile for the entirety of the third stage. In addition, I never died against the sixth stage’s skeleton boss.

Along with the classic Arcade mode, Contra 4 offers a Challenge mode where players may have to shoot a certain accuracy in a stage or use a weapon from previous games to complete a section of a level. These challenges offer for shorter gaming bursts and proffer some of the best unlockables in a game to date. Early on, players can unlock Contra and Super C, along with new playable characters and interviews. These extras are great and give players two additional games to experience on the go, although the sound is inexplicably a tad off. In addition, the two classics fail to offer any form of multiplayer.

multiplayer

This is the best way to play Contra 4, period. Players can link up wirelessly with another gamer to fight through Black Viper’s plight. The series has always been one of the best co-op experiences around and this title fails to disappoint. Players will once again share lives, but now able to drop weapons to their friends to help them power up their firing capabilities. The game does fail to offer an online mode, but this is understandable because of the ridiculous on-screen action and restarting nature of the game. In addition, this game is best played with a companion at your side to destroy aliens and laugh about the insane difficulty.

overall

Contra 4 will deliver everything veterans of the series could ever want, from the classic spread gun to music that brings orgasmic delight to the ears. The visuals stay true to the series and difficulty gives the game legs along with the Challenge mode. The downside to the hardness of the title is attracting new and novice gamers, who may become frustrated with relentless action. In addition, the inability to save between levels is frustrating for a portable game, as players will instead have to lose a continue to stop and play later. However, the game will garner a place in the hearts of Contra fans, even though it brings nothing new to the classic experience.

8.6/10