To me Contra Hard Corps represents the Sega Genesis perfectly. It's action-packed, full of attitude, and loud noises. This instance here where one guy in a jet pack is defeated with the result being the most massive explosion ever that lasts five seconds is peak Genesis.

Multiple characters with multiple weapons, and multiple paths with multiple endings including a joke ending and one for joining the bad guy is a crapton of replay value. It really makes you wonder why they went out of their way to make it so hard in the western versions. Oh right, it's Konami. They hate westerners, same shit they've been doing since Bayou Billy. Actually, I do feel it's debatable whether traditional one-hit kills or three hits per life is better, but one thing I absolutely detest no matter what is limited continues. To hell with that, either play the JP version or use the HP restoration patch. Crank the lives to ten in that if you must, because this game is fantastic and should be played by everyone regardless of skill level. Potentially a top three Genesis title for me, at the very least right now while I'm on my Hard Corps high. Konami seriously had their shit together on the Genesis.

I also just learned they gave the PAL version one less continue to work with than the NA version. They had life hard enough with the dopey changes you made to the sprites and 50hz displays, you really gotta kick'em while they're down like that?

Put Brad Fang in Smash Bros. Such skill to drive a motorcycle one-handed.