Riding off from the success of both the original Contra and Super C, Konami would then bring the franchise to the handheld scene four years later. And for this installment, unlike with Castlevania, they aren't gonna try to ruin it for their first handheld installment (sorry, but again, it's just too easy). So, after those four years, Konami would then release Operation Contra to the public. Or... I guess Operation C, because, again, letters are just so much cooler then full words.
As the first handheld entry in the Contra series, it does a pretty great job at bringing the standard Contra gameplay to the smaller screen, and it ends up being a pretty good game. It does suffer from some small issues, but they don't get in the way from being a surprisingly good time.
The story is pretty much the exact same as the other two Contra games, which I can excuse, the graphics are Game Boy graphics, but they do a pretty good job at replicating the original NES sprites, the music is just remixed versions of the original Contra music, but it still sounds incredible, the control is pretty solid, even if, again, your movement speed is slower than usual, and the gameplay is what you would expect, but it is carried over extremely well.
The game plays exactly like the previous two Contra games, where you move from left to right, shooting up various enemies and bosses, getting different weapons to fend off enemies with, and taking on different types of stages as well, such as the top down shooter sections, which return from Super C. There isn't too many new elements that are introduced in this game, aside from a few new weapons such as a homing missile shot, which is pretty useful. Despite the lack of new additions, it is still pretty fun to play through all the same.
However, it doesn't get a pass, as it does have its problems. Similarly to Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge, the game reuses a lot of elements from Contra and Super C, with a good chunk of the levels being from Super C, with the layout being changed around, and again, like mentioned earlier, all of the music is just remixed versions of the music from the original Contra. These reused elements aren't really all that bad, and none of them are executed in a poor way, but I would've preferred seeing original levels rather than remixed versions of older ones. Aside from that, the only other complaint I would have would be the short length, but since this is a Game Boy game, that is to be expected.
Overall, while it does reuse elements from previous games, it is still a surprisingly fun entry in the Contra series, and a great start for the series on handheld systems. I would recommend, especially for those Contra fans who haven't played it yet.
Game #142
As the first handheld entry in the Contra series, it does a pretty great job at bringing the standard Contra gameplay to the smaller screen, and it ends up being a pretty good game. It does suffer from some small issues, but they don't get in the way from being a surprisingly good time.
The story is pretty much the exact same as the other two Contra games, which I can excuse, the graphics are Game Boy graphics, but they do a pretty good job at replicating the original NES sprites, the music is just remixed versions of the original Contra music, but it still sounds incredible, the control is pretty solid, even if, again, your movement speed is slower than usual, and the gameplay is what you would expect, but it is carried over extremely well.
The game plays exactly like the previous two Contra games, where you move from left to right, shooting up various enemies and bosses, getting different weapons to fend off enemies with, and taking on different types of stages as well, such as the top down shooter sections, which return from Super C. There isn't too many new elements that are introduced in this game, aside from a few new weapons such as a homing missile shot, which is pretty useful. Despite the lack of new additions, it is still pretty fun to play through all the same.
However, it doesn't get a pass, as it does have its problems. Similarly to Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge, the game reuses a lot of elements from Contra and Super C, with a good chunk of the levels being from Super C, with the layout being changed around, and again, like mentioned earlier, all of the music is just remixed versions of the music from the original Contra. These reused elements aren't really all that bad, and none of them are executed in a poor way, but I would've preferred seeing original levels rather than remixed versions of older ones. Aside from that, the only other complaint I would have would be the short length, but since this is a Game Boy game, that is to be expected.
Overall, while it does reuse elements from previous games, it is still a surprisingly fun entry in the Contra series, and a great start for the series on handheld systems. I would recommend, especially for those Contra fans who haven't played it yet.
Game #142
Reviewed on May 07, 2023