A flawed yet very admirable effort that combines several genres all into one game while having a genuinely solid story. This game is a good example for of an nes game with a ton of passion but maybe not the complete budget to support it and that’s ok. This game tries and it’s consistently fun. You have elements of a shoot ‘em up, shooter, action platformer and even metroidvania all rolled into one. Having different segments cross the different style changes In each act. It’s flawed sure and doesn’t excel in its attempts but it’s still fun and very admirable while being cohesive. This game does feel like one big adventure and I appreciate the attempts at the story. Offering some genuine stakes and an interesting set up. I like everything this games attempts and playing a game like this that’s ambitious and innovative over other nes games is pretty exciting even if it’s not a perfect experience. Perfect game for anyone getting deeper into the nes library.

Makes me goon like CRAZY

This game is fucking phenomenal. One of the greatest run n guns of all time. In fact this might be my favorite contra only rivaled by hard corps. Easily the best line up of bosses in the series and the perfect mix between challenge and fun. This entire game is one big endurance round slowly memorizing boss patterns and stage hazards over practically 100s of attempts. It’s brutal sure but never feels cheap. Everything is laid out for you. You never feel under powered or as if you need a code or power ups. It’s just you and the game and it makes for one of the most rewarding games I’ve ever played. Bosses take a fuck ton of hits sure but have predictable patterns. This game will throw waves of enemies at you to trip you up sure. Yet with the right strategies and pattern memorization you can break this game pretty quickly. In a way it’s like a puzzle action game. Learning the best solution to its many scenarios and boss encounters. That’s what makes this so rewarding. Even after getting my ass kicked several times I knew I was just a couple of well timed jumps or techniques away from completely destroying anything in my way.


Oh and the slightly industrial edge this game has is awesome. It’s not my favorite contra visually (again hard corps) yet it comes pretty damn close. It kinda reminds me a bit of Twisted Metal Black. Also the soundtrack is fantastic, best in the series if you ask me. The fact Akira Yamaoka made this industrial electronic and metal soundtrack after his dark ambient masterpiece SH2 blows my mind yet here it is and it’s absolutely incredible.