Contra (or Gryzor (or Probotector)) was originally released in Japan by Konami for arcades on the 20th of February, 1987 and was so popular that it demanded several ports, sequels, and is a beloved gaming icon. (Just not any more it seems) This review will say how well it stands up today. (Or at least how well the Arcade version does)

Now I for one bloody love Contra, as do many others. However, most have only played the NES port of this game. This was actually the first Contra game I played which is part of the Konami Arcade collection on the Nintendo DS. I think for once I will label the sections of my review.

And I shall be starting with the gameplay.
Contra has always been a very simple to play game that anyone can pick up and play. This is not to be confused with how difficult it is to get through stages, which I will be getting to. On the NES the controls are as simple as A to Jump, B to shoot, and the directional pad to aim shots and duck. This version is no different. In fact, if you have played the NES version, you will feel a lot at home with this one. The characters are a little larger, and seem to move a little slower than they do in the NES version, but it is easy to adust to that. Each of the stages are well laid out and compliment the controls (And not to mention also the tall screen) very well. The enemy layout however is not as forgiving as a lot of the time you will end up walking into an enemy you didn't see if you are playing with someone else who plays a little slower. This problem is alleviated if you are both good at the game. The game has two kinds of stages, one being a 2D platformer that allows you to jump around and fire in each direction, and the other is a stage made to look 3D and has you firing into the background. Because of the latter not actually being 3D, it is hard to judge distance and wether something will hit. This was done in actual 3D in Contra 4 for the DS which I think worked beautifully. However, in all games my preferrence is the former 2D platformer style of stage. What may put many first time players off is the fact that the player dies in one hit, and only has three lives. (The code does not work in this version) This game does require really good reactions, but that is one of the reasons that I love it. At the end of each stage is a boss, and each boss is different from the others in every way. While they all fire at you, the way you have to fire back is completely different each time. The majority of bosses require firing directly up, though there are a few bosses that are killed by shooting sideways. Each boss will be sending a huge array of bullets, and all take a lot of practice to beat. (or an autofire button, but that is cheating) It is highly satisfying to beat a boss because you get to see the next stage of the game and try to figure that one out. Or at least that was the appeal to me. Yours is likely different.

The next section is the flashiest of all sections, because it is the one about the graphics.
Contra is a very nice looking game, with well coloured graphics and (for the time) a high resolution screen. The characters are decently animated and have several frames for every animation. The stages have tons of colour, though these are dark colours, which matches the games theme, and the tiles used to make up the stages never look repetitive and compliment the stage design, never leaving an empty section. The 3D (or sort of 3D) stages look a little lackluster when it comes to detail. They have a large, thick border around the screen making it significantly smaller. They also look very repetitive with each corridor looking exactly the same. The bosses are quite a marvel to look at (as they are in the NES version as well) with each one being fleshed out, but not as animated as I would like, but they still look brilliant and imaginative. Each stage looks different from the others, and that makes them easily memorable.

That was a significantly shorter section. I can't go on about anything more than the gameplay, and I am sorry for that, but now comes the next section which shall be about the soundtrack.
The music in Contra is incredibly well made and easily it can get into your head and never leave. The sound quality for these songs are a little lacking, but they make up for it with being brilliantly written and catchy. Everyone can remember the first stage theme from the game, and there is a good reason behind that: It's so good. I find the boss theme from Contra one of, if not the best song in the game. The music from the other Contra games is good, but I don't think as good as it is in this one. There are few series that I think beat this games soundtrack. One of those few is another brilliantly known series by Konami, Castlevania.

Damn. They are getting shorter. Never mind, I'm sure I can improve. This next section is on the other parts of the game. Just whatever I don't think I have covered, so yes, getting to the end of the review.
The story of the game is incredibly simple and short. Two guys who are military commandos called Bill Rizer (who is player one) and Lance Bean (who is player two) are sent out to an island of some description (of which it has none) to stop an alien threat known as the Red Falcon. Interesting to know is that the original Japanese version said that they are terrorists, and it got changed in other versions as it was when terrorists were becoming common in America. (as far as I know) I think aliens is far more appropriate considering the bosses, but terrorists makes more sense when the regular enemies are considered. Maybe it's both. The game has a few upgrades which make it a little easier which include (but are not limited to) the infamous spreader gun which allows you to shoot in a cone, the machine gun which automatically shoots and is slightly larger than your regular shot, and the laser gun which can be used somewhat like a flamethrower by mashing the button, or a long range shot that goes through enemies by tapping it once. My favorite weapon is the spreader gun, but I will always be happy to settle on a machine gun should one come up.

Okay, I think that is everything. If you think I missed anything let me know and I will add it. (if it is appropriate) And please respond with constructive criticism, don't reply with "It's crap" or "Good review". I don't learn anything from short reviews like that.
And finally, thank you for reading my review of the Arcade version of Contra.

Great review, tails the fox! You wrote a lot of detail, spaced everything nicely, and had perfect grammar so it was easy to read! Your reviews are always pretty good. I hope to read more from you.

TheFadedWarrior : Thanks, but you do always manage to be incredibly generous in your replies to reviews, so if that reply is sincere I thank you.

tails the fox : This reply was definitely sincere, don't worry. I try to criticize people's reviews while complimenting them at the same time so I don't offend them. About twice every day, there's always a great review that I have nothing to criticize about, and this is one of them.

I also liked how you compared the NES version to the DS version. And at the comment at the end of the review, you barely have anything to learn. It just gets kind of annoying how much your layout makes you scroll to read the rest of the review.