Kontora

I know I'm not the only person out there who still has a functioning NES machine, and I will never grow tired of Contra. Not because It was really one of those games that wraps you up for weeks, but because you and a buddy can run around and simply blow things up.

The soundtrack was great, and is being brought back to life by my favorite band, the Minibosses . You can go there to download the MP3 to hear the song if your NES has somehow passed on to the closet of broken machinery.

Remember this always... Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Select Start. Those who know... know.

I long for the age of the NES, when the games were just plain fun and simple without flashy animation and movie-like special effects to get in the way. I remember when CONTRA was first released in 1988. (Jeez, has it really been that long!?) It was the big deal at school; everybody was talking about it. Toys R Us was sold out for awhile, so the best I could do was rent it or play it at a friend's house. I was hooked instantly, and when I finally got my own copy, I was playing it nearly every day. I got so good at it that I could beat it in twenty minutes flat (with the thirty lives code, of course; I don't know anyone who ever beat it with just three). Even nearly five years later, long after my NES and games had gone away to make room for the Sega Genesis, I was able to still beat CONTRA in my record time when I discovered it at the house of my high school friend. Though there have been many notable video games in the years since, CONTRA remains my #1 all-time favorite of them all. It just had everything I like in a game and gave me with countless hours of entertainment (which my parents liked, because it kept me from bugging them wanting another game.) Some games I would beat and never really play much again afterwards. But CONTRA always kept me coming back for more no matter how many times I beat it (I think about 30, at last count). To me, the sequels never managed to really capture the spirit and fun factor of the original, so I never bothered with them. And who can forget that awesome first level music? I really wish Nintendo would release some "NES Classics" soundtrack containing the music from their old games. No techno remixes, no new arrangements. Just the plain and simple music we all know and love. Well, I admit, an orchestral version of the CONTRA music would be awesome, especially if done with an Alan Silvestri/ERASER-type sound. Thank you Konami for providing one of the great joys of my childhood.

Okay, so maybe the game is older than God, but who cares? It is still as much fun now as it was 14 years ago. I still have fond memories as a 6 year old playing this game and just blastin' everything in sight. What fun!

Growing up in the early ninetees, the end of the beginning of the video game generation, I have been exposed to many different games and systems. I currently have a Playstation 2, but I will never forget the glory days of videogames (and my childhood)and that is the 80's/early 90's era of the regular NES.

I look back on that system with only the fondest of memories, and many games come to mind now that I look back on the days where you would have to blow on the game cartridge just to get it to start. There's the addictive, ambitious, creative and ultimately entertaining and challenging Lucas Arts original "Star Wars", of course Nintendo's "Mario"-a crime to leave out, Konami's "Buyou Billy" and their best effort to video game to date (my #1 best video game), "Contra".

This game set the standard for platform action and contains different perspectives and a wide variety of weapons (spread, flamethrower, laser, machine just to name a few) and many challenging, fun and groundbreaking levels. It offers two player action which set the bar for duo combat games to come.

The story involves two soldiers who are dropped on an island by helicopter to battle an alien species known as thw Red Falcon. They must combat these creatures to avoid the spread of the alien race, thus saving the world. The creatures come in a wide range of species, some resemble humans, other crawl like spiders and float from place to place.

The game spawned many sequels, most recently "Contra Shattered Soldier"- a great tribute. Gamers and developers alike will always apprechiate this marvel in video game and hopefully continue to fight the menacing Red Falcon.

The Contra series is one of the most different shoot em up video games! The characters, the monsters, the action, and the sure thrill of excitement makes this game a fun non-stop playing time! Below is a brief look how I think the game is!

Game Play: The game play is very good. There is really basic controls here and is easy to perform. Novice gamers should have a good time here!

Graphics: The graphics are wonderful especially for the original Nintendo system! The backgrounds are really beautiful!

Difficulty: The game is easy but as it goes on you find out that it will become more difficult!

Music: The music is great! Just fantastic catchy tunes through out the game! In My opinion its some of the best music ever in a video game!

Sound: The sound is great. Nuff said!

Overall: I have always loved Contra! If you like excellent shoot em up games that has aliens and more then I strongly recommend you play this game!

To purchase this video game check out Amazon.com!