Contra (1988). Play Free Online

Summary

Contra hit the NES in early 1988 and quickly became a benchmark for two‑player couch co‑op. You control a pair of shirtless commandos—Bill in blue pants and Lance in red—who can fire in eight directions while running, jumping (a distinctive somersault), or crouching to dodge enemy fire. The default rifle can be upgraded with power‑ups represented by falcon‑shaped letters, turning it into a rapid‑fire machine gun, a laser, a fireball gun or even a shotgun, while a rare item wipes the screen clean.

The game reworks the arcade’s seven levels into eight distinct stages, from jungle canyons to snow‑covered fields and an alien lair, each topped by a massive alien‑head boss. Unlimited lives feel far more manageable thanks to the famous Konami Code (↑↑↓↓←→←→BA) at the title screen, which hands you thirty lives instead of three. The combination of tight 8‑way aiming, simple but demanding controls, and a generous continue system makes this run‑and‑gun a timeless thrill for any NES fan.

Storyline

Contra is set in the distant future of 2633 A.D., when the Red Falcon Organization has established a base on the fictional Galuga archipelago near New Zealand. Their goal is to wipe out humanity. Two commandos, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, members of the Earth Marine Corp’s Contra unit, are dispatched to the island. Their mission is to destroy the enemy forces and uncover the alien entity that controls them.

In the United States release, the promotional materials downplay the futuristic setting. The manual rewrites the story to take place in the present day and moves the location to the Amazon Jungle. Despite the changes, the core premise remains a fight against the Red Falcon threat.

Edited by Maya Carter