the video game Contra, which came out for the Nintendo Entertainment System, really deserves a look at a few key things: graphics, story, and gameplay.
the visuals in Contra were pretty much what you’d expect for the time. the graphics, while limited by the NES, were used effectively. the character sprites, though small, were easy to recognize, which helped players keep track of what was happening. backgrounds could get a bit repetitive, but they did a decent job of setting the scene, whether it was jungle vibes or futuristic bases. the colors, though restricted by the console, were used to make things stand out and keep it visually interesting. overall, the scrolling was smooth, which made the game pretty playable.
the story in Contra is pretty straightforward, which is common for early games. it follows two commandos, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, who are on a mission to stop an alien invasion. while the premise isn’t groundbreaking, it gives enough context for the gameplay. the story unfolds mainly through the levels and some cutscenes, focusing more on action than deep storytelling. this lack of narrative depth was typical back then, with the main focus being on the gameplay experience.
the gameplay is where Contra really shines. it’s a run-and-gun shooter that emphasizes fast-paced action and precision. players move through levels, taking on enemies and bosses with a range of weapons. the difficulty is definitely high, pushing players to get a grip on the game’s mechanics and patterns. being able to jump and shoot in different directions adds a fun layer of complexity. the co-op mode, which lets two players team up, was a big deal. the challenging gameplay and the co-op feature really helped the game stick around in people’s memories.