The Contra Corner

[Nester the Lark]

This is totally self-indulgent, but I keep coming across cool Contra stuff, so I might as well have a dedicated thread for it all.

First of all, here is a 1up article about the original Famicom version of Contra, and a new English patch for it. It includes a video of a complete playthru.

And second, here is another fan-made Contra movie parody. Can't get enough of those!

EDIT: Apparently the embedding is disabled for that particular video, so just click the link instead.

[Wildcat]

Go! Contra! Go!

This is what I can add right this second: here's the Minibosses' take on three classic NES Contra themes (with a snippet of Blaster Master in the front). Click here to head to their mirror to download it. Awesome and rocking!

There will be more.

[Nester the Lark]

According to GoNintendo, Konami will be releasing a combined soundtrack album in Japan for Contra ReBirth and Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth. (There was already a stand-alone soundtrack for Gradius ReBirth.)

On a related note, it was surprising to learn that the character select theme from Contra ReBirth was actually a remix of the character select theme from Contra Force! It's interesting that they would draw material from one of the retconned games.

One other thing I want to post is GameSpite's loving article on Contra 4 from over a year back. Nicola Nomali explains what makes it so great better than I ever could.

Of course, certain traditions are to be expected from a game committed to restoring its long-past glory; the "3D" stage type is reprised from the original game, for one. But beyond that modicum of credence, Contra 4 is equally concerned with expanding on its base and moving the series forward. In other words, it's a true sequel.

. . .

Now, Contra 4 has redeemed the series in every respect. Before Mega Man 9, it was the first to revisit its former greatness...and returned so brimming with sincerity and hindsight that it instead shot right past its forebears -- and, to everyone's surprise, improved on the best. It embodies the finest in both classic run-and-gunning and show-stopping situational thrills, and in balancing the two perfectly, it puts itself in a class all its own. It attacked aggressively, and it got its revenge.

[Nester the Lark]

Here's something that needs to be added to The Contra Corner. It's the original Howard & Nester comic based on the game Super C.

I always loved the humor in those comics:

Nester: "What's wrong with you guys? You should be blasting aliens and saving humanity."

Bill: "Yeah, well you look pretty alien to me!"

Lance: "Name the capital of Kansas! No alien would know that."

[Wildcat]

I think you'll like this, Nester.

[Nester the Lark]

The Contra 4 remix album, Rocked 'n' Loaded is finished (finally) and available now. It costs US$12 in the US and Canada, and $18 internationally.

Two songs, "Brickwaller" and "Balls of Steel" are currently available for free download.

In the words of Sheena Etranzi from Contra: Hard Corps, "Let's rock!" ;D

[Nester the Lark]

Here are a couple of oddities.

There was a Chinese cell phone game called Contra: Return to Galuga. It's apparently an official game, but non-canonical.



There's also an official cell phone version of Contra 4, but it was not handled by WayForward. However, it was released in North America, and based on the few reviews I've seen, it's apparently not bad.

(Warning: loud volume)

[Wildcat]

Interesting, both. That first one looks a little clunky, or perhaps the player isn't a Contra vet.

[Nester the Lark]

I think it's time for an update to The Contra Corner.

Did you know that the Stage 1 "Jungle" music from Contra 4 was originally composed as a chiptune way back in 2002 as a tribute to the original NES Contra? It was called "Vile Red Falcon", and you can still download it from Jake Kaufman's website.

Here's the Contra 4 version for comparison:



It's pretty cool that his fan composition became an official Contra song five years later.

The chiptune version almost sounds like a mix between Contra and Mega Man.

[8bitretroshit]

That's cool. I think they also put Vile Red Falcon on Contra 4's OST cd... atleast I think that's where I got it from.

Also Nester, you happen to know where to get the full version of that awesome theme on Contra 4's website? Been looking for it for a long time and since you're the Contra pro around here I might aswell ask you

[Nester the Lark]

^ I think it's an arrangement Jake Kaufman did as an "audition" for the Contra 4 soundtrack. You can download it from IGN's website here.

A slightly different mix of it was used in the game as the Stage 1 theme on hard mode. You can hear that version here:

[8bitretroshit]

Full version sounds even better ;D Many thanks!

Was kinda hoping he did more of those remixes. The bgm quality of DS game itself isn't exactly on par and I think the tracks on that Rocked 'n' Loaded CD you linked to... aren't very great.

Nagnagnag

[Nester the Lark]

Here is the first footage of Hard Corps: Uprising in both single and multi-player. Note the air dashing and reflector shield.

The game is developed by Arc System Works, the studio behind Guilty Gear and BlazBlue.

[8bitretroshit]

Looks nice. Although there's a healthbar now it seems your gun still loses it's powerup after a single hit.

[Nester the Lark]

^ I believe there are actually separate game modes. One is based on the Japanese version of Contra: Hard Corps which gives you a three-hit health meter. The other is a traditional Contra one-hit-kills mode.