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Gamers might argue about the merits of different consoles and about the benefits of console versus PC gaming but no matter what camp we started in, many gamers (at least the ones who were born in the early 80s) can look back on many of the classic cornerstones of gaming. While some classics like Mario and Wolfenstein changed and grew with the times others stayed in their original forms. Few franchises have updated and kept going while keeping the same classic feel quite so well as the Contra series. The simplistic yet challenging gameplay kept you addicted when it was on the original Nintendo Entertainment System and they’ve kept that same quality in the most recent title for the DS.

As with all of the games in the franchise, it’s very difficult. After a handful of tries through on the regular difficulty I was forced to switch over to easy mode. I still have yet to beat the game. Don’t let this detract from your desire to buy the game: the level of difficulty is such that instead of being frustrated and sick of the game, every life lost, every continue used and every ‘game over’ screen you’re presented with will only fuel your raging desire to get back in and blast more aliens.

The gameplay is incredibly addictive. We’re talking ‘almost miss your stop on the subway’ addictive.  It follows the classic ‘run and gun’ formula of all the other Contra games: it’s in your best interest to keep moving and keep shooting. Powerups still fly by in barrels overhead and pop out of boxes throughout the level: the classic spread, rapid fire and seeker are there along with some friends. They’ve kept the two weapon slots from the Super Nintendo Contra which allows for more versatility. In normal mode each weapon has a boosted form which can be obtained by grabbing a second powerup of the same type. (Or just use the Konami code! It’s true!) In easy mode all weapons are powered up when you get them.

The levels are varied and interesting. Some take you back to the original where after certain levels you’d find yourself in a faux-3d environment, gunning down enemies, wall-mounted turrets and jumping over barrels before fighting a hovering boss at the end.  Others will have you clinging from handholds on a missile and blasting small rockets out of the air. One of my favorites had you riding a sort of super jetski with the screen switching between air and underwater views. One of the newest features that they use to great success is that in addition to jumping your characters have a sophisticated grappling hook which you can use to ascend to higher platforms and handholds.

The bosses and mini-bosses are all interesting: some are seemingly organic in nature while others are more mechanical. Each one can be a little tricky to defeat at first but once you’ve figured out their attack pattern they fall with a little luck and a lot of agilely flipping yourself around.

The graphics aren’t technically impressive or demanding but their stylish sprite nature evokes feelings from earlier Contra games.  The design all around is rather interesting: along with the hordes of enemy soldiers in various colors of body armor you have interesting enemies: robots that after being shot once reassemble into a new form and chase after you again; shambling zombie-like creatures that explode when they get close enough; bird-men that leap down at you from higher platforms (another classic) and many others.

Playing through the game will allow you to unlock the challenge mode where you can attempt to beat challenges that allow you to unlock some of the earlier Contra games.

Gameplay: 4.5/5  It’s nothing new, but it’s dead-on classic Contra. Newer gamers might be frustrated by the level of difficulty, even on easy mode.

Graphics: 4/5   As we’re seeing from Nintendo, you don’t have to push the limits of visual effects to produce a satisfying game and this is just another example of that.

Sounds: 3.5/5  Again they’ve gone with classic semi-retro effects: synthesized music and amusing gun sounds. The highlights are the groans when your character dies and the cheesey one-liner they say upon respawning.

Replay: 5/5  With two different difficulty modes, challenge modes and additional games to unlock, this one will keep your fingers working for quite some time.