Contra


 * For the Arcade and Xbox Live Arcade versions, see Contra (arcade).

Contra was released in 1988 by Konami; today it is an absolute NES classic. It has a few rough edges, but the game play speaks for itself. It isn't "toss-the-controller-against-the-wall" difficult, nor is it easy. It actually has a good balance of difficulty that doesn't have very many cheap points that require a good deal of luck — this game is all about skill…and memorization, but mostly skill. The European version was named Probotector and changed the human heroes into robots due to censorship laws in some countries that would have restricted the game to people over eighteen.

Gryzor had better graphics and sound than Contra. For example, the title screen in Gryzor was animated and the screen between stages resembles the scrolling map in Ghosts 'n Ghouls. Many of the stages also had improved or animated sections that enhanced the game play.

Story
Story from the Contra manual (translated from Japanese version):


 * It's the year 2633 A.D. Technology has reached a level so advanced that nature and science now exist in harmony and peace reigns throughout the world.


 * .... but beneath the calmness something beyond all imagination is discovered that threatens the existence of mankind. While conducting a top secret investigation, the Earth Federation Marine Corps discover that a group of alien invaders are plotting to wipe out the human race.


 * Private First Class Bill Rizer and Lance Bean of the Marine Corps, are informed of this terrifying fact and are given the mission to neutralize these alien invaders.


 * The Contras' mission is to go to the alien's fortress in the Galuga Islands and see that they are exterminated.