Contra Force (1992). Play online

Summary

Contra Force is an NES spin‑off that drops the classic alien menace for a more gritty terrorist plot, giving the series a fresh, if unexpected, vibe.

The game lets you pick one of four specialists – Burns, Iron, Smith or Beans – each with their own weapon set, speed and jumping style. I love how the side‑scroll stages alternate with overhead levels, and the briefcase‑shaped power‑ups let you slide a cursor along a Gradius‑style meter to lock in the exact weapon you need, from a turbo‑fire pistol to a rolling airborne attack. A handy sub‑menu even lets you summon a computer partner for five seconds, swapping strategies between defensive and offensive on the fly.

Originally slated for Japan as "Arc Hound", the title was axed and re‑branded for the North American market, eventually slipping out in October 1992 after a delay that let Contra III slip ahead.

Critics pointed out slowdown and sprite flicker, but many praised the extra tactical depth of character‑specific abilities and the on‑the‑spot power‑selection system, making Contra Force a quirky footnote in the Contra legacy.

Storyline

Contra Force, known on the cartridge as C‑Force, follows a secret anti‑terrorist unit formed in 1992 to guard the futuristic city of Neocity. The squad is made up of former military specialists who answer to their commander, Burns.

One night Burns receives a frantic call from their informant, Fox, warning that the Head of Intelligence is being targeted by the shadowy crime syndicate D.N.M.E. Burns arranges a rendez‑vous at the harbor, only to discover Fox’s lifeless body waiting for him. With their source dead and the city under threat, Burns and his team must track down D.N.M.E. and stop its plot before Neocity falls.