An Elite Mission to Save the World

The year is 2631, and a mysterious meteor has crash-landed on the Galga Islands near New Zealand. What seemed like a cosmic anomaly turned out to be something far more sinister—an alien force known as the Red Falcons has begun its invasion of Earth. With humanity on the brink, only two soldiers stand in their way: Bill Rizer and Lance Bean. Trained in guerrilla warfare, these elite commandos have one mission—storm the enemy base, neutralize the threat, and save the planet from annihilation.

From the treacherous jungle to fortified bases and deep into the heart of an alien nest, every step is a fight for survival. The mission is simple, but execution is anything but. The enemy forces are relentless, their defenses are brutal, and at the core of it all lies an entity so grotesque and powerful that it defies human comprehension. Armed with advanced weaponry and sheer determination, Bill and Lance charge forward, humanity’s last hope against an otherworldly invasion.

An 80’s Movie Marathon Gone Right

Legend has it that Contra was born from a simple question: What if we mashed up every great ’80s action movie into a single game? Someone at Konami must have been watching Rambo, Aliens, Predator, and Commando back-to-back and thought, “Would this make an incredible video game? Hell yeah, it would!”

Everything about Contra screams cinematic action—from its larger-than-life protagonists to the high-octane run-and-gun gameplay. The jungle warfare of Rambo, the extraterrestrial terror of Aliens, the relentless enemy waves of Commando—it all blended into an adrenaline-fueled spectacle that felt like stepping into an interactive blockbuster.

By fusing sci-fi horror with explosive military combat, Contra took the best of Hollywood and turned it into something players could experience firsthand. This wasn’t just another shooter, it was a full-throttle action fantasy, complete with impossible odds, overwhelming firepower, and a mission that could only be tackled by the toughest soldiers in gaming history.

The Art of the Run and Gun

Beyond its inspirations, Contra was revolutionary in its gameplay. While many early shooters forced players into rigid movement patterns, Contra gave players freedom—jumping, shooting in eight directions, and dodging projectiles with pinpoint precision. The addition of two-player co-op turned the intensity up even further, requiring teamwork, quick reflexes, and constant awareness of both enemies and your partner’s movements.

The game seamlessly blended different perspectives—traditional side-scrolling levels, vertical climbing stages, and pseudo-3D corridor shootouts. This variety kept gameplay fresh and unpredictable, ensuring no two stages felt alike. Every level introduced new challenges, forcing players to stay sharp and adapt to increasingly overwhelming enemy forces.

Spraying and Praying

Survival in Contra wasn’t just about dodging bullets, it was about collecting the right power-ups. Players quickly learned which weapons were game-changers and which were destined for disappointment. The Machine Gun and Laser had their uses, but nothing quite compared to the holy grail of destruction, the Spread Shot.

Power-ups weren’t just an advantage—they were a necessity. One moment you’re a force of destruction, mowing down enemies with ease, and the next, a stray bullet sends you back to the default peashooter. Managing your arsenal was part of the strategy, ensuring that every life (especially in co-op) was spent wisely.

30 Lives, One Team, and the Ultimate Showdown

Contra was never just a game—it was an experience, a battleground where friendships were forged in the glow of a CRT screen. But as anyone who grew up in the late ’80s and early ’90s knew, surviving its relentless enemy waves with just three lives was a pipe dream. Then came the secret every kid had to learn: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start.

The Konami Code wasn’t just a cheat—it was the key to extending the night. Armed with 30 lives, a group of friends could pass the controller around for hours, stretching each playthrough into a full-on event. Someone would man the controller while the rest of the crew leaned in, shouting warnings, calling out enemy placements, and celebrating every successfully dodged bullet. The glow of the TV flickered against a battlefield of half-empty soda cans and bags of chips.

It wasn’t just about beating the game—it was about outlasting your friends, proving you could hold onto your turn longer than anyone else before passing the controller off in shame. If someone accidentally burned through all their lives too quickly? They were banished to the sidelines, waiting for their next round, watching and learning. The shared struggle, the teamwork, the endless just one more try—that was Contra at its best.

By the time the final boss loomed, those who had endured the night’s marathon run felt like legends. And if they actually won? That was a moment for the history books. Cheering, high-fives, and the unspoken agreement that next weekend, they’d do it all over again.

The Final Battle and the Alien Nightmare

What began as a jungle warfare mission soon spiraled into a full-fledged alien horror story. By the final stages, players were no longer fighting human enemies but grotesque, pulsating alien lifeforms that felt ripped straight from Aliens. The final boss, a monstrous alien heart pulsating with malice, was an unforgettable sight—both terrifying and exhilarating.

By this point, players had endured relentless enemy waves, mastered the art of bullet-dodging, and perfected their co-op communication. The final showdown was a test of endurance and skill, a climactic moment that cemented Contra as one of the greatest NES games of all time.

The Legacy of Contra

Decades later, Contra still holds its place as a titan of gaming history. Its influence is undeniable, inspiring countless run-and-gun games like Metal Slug and Blazing Chrome. The challenge, the co-op camaraderie, and the sheer satisfaction of conquering its punishing levels make it a game that never loses its appeal.

Whether it’s the thrill of a perfect run, the frustration of a mistimed jump, or the simple joy of blasting enemies to bits with the Spread Gun, Contra remains a defining experience for retro gamers. And if you’ve never played it the old-school way—no save states, no rewinds—maybe it’s time to grab a controller, enter the Konami Code, and see if you have what it takes to save the world.

Earth is counting on you.