Contra Famicom review

1987 · Konami · Run and gun · Updated 2026-10-22

8.5/10

A relentless co-op shooter with the Konami code that became part of gaming folklore.

Contra throws two commandos into a series of jungle and base stages filled with enemies and bosses. The side-scrolling and top-down sections keep the pace varied, and the weapon power-ups let you spray bullets across the screen.

The game is intense and short, which makes it easy to replay. The two-player mode doubles the fun, and the famous Konami code gave players extra lives.

The difficulty is high, but the enemies and bosses are readable. A good run feels like a clean victory, and a bad run is over in minutes, which keeps you coming back.

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Cons

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