Contra

Game Details:

Contra was officially released to the arcade market by Japan's Konami in February 1987. Set in the future year 2631, the story begins when a mysterious meteorite crashes into the Galuga Archipelago near New Zealand, bringing with it the evil "Red Falcon" organization and alien invaders intent on destroying Earth. The Earth Federation government dispatches its two most elite "Contra" soldiers—Bill Rizer and Lance Bean—to investigate and completely eliminate the threat. This title not only featured vibrant graphics but also pioneered diverse level designs including side-scrolling, vertical climbing, and unique pseudo-3D "behind-the-back" base perspectives. Its hardcore run-and-gun experience defined the action game standard for an entire era.

Game Guide:

The core gameplay revolves around "eight-directional shooting" and securing "weapon power-up capsules."

Walkthrough Secrets:

The default rifle has extremely limited power and range; you must prioritize shooting down the flying weapon capsules during levels to upgrade your arsenal. Among these, the "S" (Spread) gun is the undisputed king of weapons. Its fan-shaped barrage can clear the screen of enemies and deal massive multi-hit damage at point-blank range. The "L" (Laser) gun deals high single-point damage but has a narrow hitbox. Since the arcade version features a one-hit-death system, mastering "jumping" and "going prone" is essential. When facing the classic fortress wall boss in Stage 1, avoid standing in the center of the screen. Instead, go prone to take out the ground snipers first, then stand in the blind spot of the slope and use the Spread gun at a 45-degree angle to focus fire on the upper turrets and the infrared core. Maintaining high situational awareness while moving is the key to a successful one-coin clear (1CC).