Contra (NES)▶ Press startAll Contra Games in Order
Contra (Arcade)1987 · ARCADE · Konami1P2PPreviewContra (NES)1988 · NES · KONAMI1P2P
Contra Gender Swap1988 · NES · KONAMI1P2P
PreviewSuper Contra1988 · NES · Konami1P
Contra III: The Alien Wars1992 · SNES · Konami1P2P
PreviewSuper Contra Force1992 · NES · Konami1P2P
Contra: Hard Corps1994 · GENESIS · Konami1P
Contra: Legacy of War1996 · PS1 · Appaloosa Interactive1P
C: The Contra Adventure1998 · PS1 · Appaloosa InteractiveContra in a nutshell
Contra came out in arcades in 1987 and on the NES a year later, and it became one of the defining games of the 8-bit era. Two commandos, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, fight through jungle, alien bases and waterfalls to stop the Red Falcon invasion. One hit kills you, enemies never stop coming and the bosses fill the screen – which is exactly why finishing it with a friend feels so good. In Brazil many players simply called it "the Rambo game".
The Contra games in order
| Game | Platform | Why play it |
|---|---|---|
| Contra (Arcade) | Arcade, 1987 | The original, with a vertical screen and 3D base stages |
| Contra (NES) | NES | The classic most people remember – and the Konami code |
| Super Contra | NES | The sequel (Super C in the US) with top-down stages |
| Contra III: The Alien Wars | SNES | Huge 16-bit set pieces, two guns at once |
| Contra: Hard Corps | Genesis | Four characters, branching story, brutal bosses |
The list also includes later spin-offs – Super Contra Force, the PlayStation games Contra: Legacy of War and C: The Contra Adventure – and the fan-made Contra Gender Swap, which replaces the two heroes with female commandos.
Which Contra should you play first?
Start with Contra (NES) – ideally with a friend and the Konami code. When you have beaten it, move on to Super Contra and then the 16-bit games.
Weapons and tips
- S – Spread gun. Five bullets in a fan. The best weapon in the game; protect it at all costs.
- M – Machine gun, L – Laser, F – Fire ball, R – Rapid fire and B – Barrier (temporary invincibility).
- Lie down to dodge many bullets, and jump while shooting diagonally to hit enemies above you.
- In co-op, the player who scrolls the screen too fast can pull their partner to death – move together.
FAQ
Can I play Contra online with a friend?
Yes. Contra (NES), Super Contra, the arcade Contra and Contra - Hard Corps support online Net Play, so a friend can join as player 2 over the internet.
What is the Konami code in Contra?
On the NES Contra title screen, press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, then Start (Select, Start for two players) to begin with 30 lives instead of 3.
Is Super Contra the same as Super C?
Yes. Super Contra is the Japanese and arcade name; the NES version was released in North America as Super C. It is the direct sequel to the NES Contra.
Which Contra game is the hardest?
Contra - Hard Corps on the Genesis is usually called the hardest, followed by Contra III - The Alien Wars on its harder difficulty settings. The NES Contra is tough but fair once you learn the stages.