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Summary

Probotector is the European‑PAL incarnation of Konami’s 1994 run‑and‑gun hit Contra: Hard Corps, and it swaps the human heroes for a squad of sleek robots labeled CX‑1 through CX‑4. Even the enemies get a metallic makeover, though the quirky Browny survives the overhaul with only a name change. The story’s sci‑fi twist replaces the alien cell with a mysterious computer called the X‑Drive, and the original alien antagonists—Colonel Bahamut and Dead‑Eye Joe—are reimagined as humanoid extraterrestrials. Gameplay stays true to the North American version, but the European release trims the safety net to four continues instead of five and removes the option to side with the Alien General, cutting one possible ending. A few cutscenes were also edited; for instance, the Stage 1 boss is no longer revealed as a piloted robot, and Dr. Geo Mandrake’s bizarre merger‑machine demise is omitted.

Storyline

Probotector (the European Sega Genesis version of Contra: Hard Corps) is set five years after Contra III: The Alien Wars. It follows a special task force known as the Hard Corps, assembled to deal with lingering alien threats and rogue military factions.

In this version the plot was rewritten: the human villains Colonel Bahamut and Dead‑Eye Joe become humanoid aliens, and the alien cell is replaced by a computer device called the X‑Drive. The Hard Corps must confront a terrorist group led by these alien antagonists, and the game removes the option to side with the Alien General, cutting one possible ending.

Several cutscenes were altered for the Probotector release. The Stage 1 boss identification line is omitted, and the scene where Dr. Geo Mandrake is devoured by a monster from his merger machine is removed.