The Contras

The Contras is a platform shooter based on the arcade game Contra. The main difference from the original Contra is that the whole game is played from a side view and that it lacks the behind view 3D stages. There are also differences in level design. While the first level is largely identical to the original game later levels are original.

The basic gameplay is like the original game with the player moving from the left to right while killing all the enemies and destroying all turrets and other obstacles. While standing up it is possible to move and shoot in any of the eight directions (except down) while when lying down it is only possible to shoot forward. Destroying certain items leads to power ups called Falcons appearing and if the player collects them bonus points and weapons upgrades are given. Unlike the original game there is only one weapon upgrade: rapid fire.

The game can be played by two players at the same time. The player that first loses all lives can steal one from the other player and keep playing. When both are out of lives an end screen appears and it's possible to continue at the beginning of the current level at a score of zero, but it can only be done three times.