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{{Header Nav|game=Contra|num=4}}
{{Header Nav|game=Contra}}
{{Infobox
{{Game
|title=Contra|image=Contra cover.jpg
|completion=4
|image=Contra ARC Flyer JP.jpg
|title=Contra
|japanese=魂斗羅
|developer=[[Konami]]
|developer=[[Konami]]
|publisher=[[Konami]]
|publisher=[[Konami]]
|year=1987
|systems={{syslist|arcade|dos|msx2|cpc|c64|zx|mobile|360}}
|ratings={{CERO|A}}{{ESRB|E10}}{{PEGI|7}}{{ACB|PG}}
|title1=Oretachi Game Center Zoku: Contra
|developer1=[[Konami]]
|publisher1=[[Hamster Corporation]]
|year1=2006
|systems1={{syslist|ps2}}
|title2=Arcade Archives Contra
|developer2=[[Konami]]
|publisher2=[[Hamster Corporation]]
|year2=2016
|systems2={{syslist|ps4|switch}}
|genre=[[Action]]
|genre=[[Action]]
|systems=[[NES]], [[MSX]], [[Commodore 64/128]]
|released={{jp|1988|February 9}}{{us|1988|February 9}}{{eu|1990|December 28}}
|players=1-2
|players=1-2
|ratings={{ESRB|E}}
|modes=[[Single player]], [[Multiplayer]]
|followed by=[[Super C]]
|series=Contra
|series2=Oretachi Game Center Zoku
|series3=Arcade Archives
|pcgamingwiki=Contra
}}
}}
{{Series disambig}}
{{game disambig||the [[NES]] conversion of this game|[[Contra (NES)]]|the [[Game Boy]] game called Contra in Japan|[[Operation C]]}}
:''For the [[Arcade]] and [[Xbox Live Arcade]] versions, see [[Contra (arcade)]]''.
{{nihongo|'''Contra'''|{{ruby|魂斗羅|コントラ}}|Kontora}}, known as '''Gryzor''' in Europe and Oceania, is a run and gun [[action]] game developed and published by [[Konami]], originally released in the [[arcade]]s on February 20, [[1987]]. In Japanese, the title is spelled with the kanji characters 魂斗羅 or ''Kontora''. This is a form of ateji, in which the characters are used for their phonetic pronunciations rather than any inherent meaning they may have. The main character is equipped with a rifle with an unlimited amount of ammunition. The player can also jump, move and fire in eight directions, as well as move or jump simultaneously while firing. A single hit from any enemy, bullet, or other hazard will instantly kill the player character and discard the current weapon.


'''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.<ref>[[Wikipedia:Contra series#Probotector and censoring]]</ref>
There are a total of over 10 areas in the game. There are two types of stages in ''Contra''. In addition to the standard side view stages, ''Contra'' also features stages in which the player character is seen from behind and must move towards the background in order to proceed. Each of these "3D maze" stages are set inside the corridor of an enemy base in which the player must fight through the base's defenses in order to reach the core of the base. During the 3D maze stages, the upper screen will display a map of the base along with a time limit. Each maze stage is followed by a "3D fixed" stage set at the core of the base, in which the player must destroy a series of flashing sensors to expose an even larger sensor and destroy it.


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.
''Contra'' also features a two-player cooperative mode. Both players occupy the same screen and must coordinate their actions. One player lagging behind can cause problems for his partner, as the screen will not scroll onward, and a slow player can be fatal to his partner. The European release, ''Gryzor'', does not feature a simultaneous 2-Players mode. Instead, both players take turns: whenever one player dies, the other gets his turn.
There are a total of four weapons the player can retrieve from flying weapon capsules, pill-box sensors, or red guards during 3D mazes. All the power-ups in the arcade version are represented by Eagle-shaped letter icons with the exception of the Machine Gun and Laser. In the arcade version, the flying weapon capsules only appear if the player is not wielding any special weapons.


{{Continue Nav}}
Contra was ported as '''Gryzor''' to the [[Sinclair ZX Spectrum]], [[Amstrad CPC]] and [[Commodore 64]] by [[Ocean Software]] for their release in Europe in [[1988]], with the Commodore 64 version also being released as ''Contra'' in North America by Konami. On November 8, [[2006]] an [[Xbox Live Arcade]] port was released. This was the arcade version and included both original and arranged modes of play, as well as [[Contra/Achievements|achievements]].


==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.
''Story from the Contra manual (US version):''
:In 1957 a large object from outer space crashed into Earth's Amazon basin, near the ruins of a lost Mayan civilization. Scientists worldwide heralded the incident as a trivial cosmic occurrence, and thus the collision was soon forgotten. Now thirty years later, rumors of an evil force have swept into the Pentagon's front office and tales from frightened villagers of a hideous being with an army of alien henchmen are sending chills down the spines of top military brass. Unwilling to upset current political stability, an all-out assault on the region has been overruled and instead, two of America's most cunning, courageous and ruthless soldiers from the Special Forces elite commando squad have been selected to seek out and destroy these alien intruders.
:Congratulations, pal, you're one of the chosen. But before you take pride in being the best, be warned. You’re about to come face to face against Red Falcon, the cruelest life-form in the galaxy. He arrived on Earth thirty years ago (that is six months time in an alien's life) to establish a foothold from which he will attempt to conquer our world and then use it as a stepping stone toward his ultimate fiendish goal: domination of the universe. Needless to say, playing hero won't be easy. But you have no choice - you must be a hero. Because if you fail, life as we know it will cease to exist, and the vile Red Falcon will rule forever. If you succeed, well...it doesn't matter, because I doubt you will...
==Box artwork==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Gryzorbox.jpg|Famicom
File:Contraflyer.jpg|American flyer
Image:Probotectorbox.jpg|NES (PAL version)
File:Contra ARC title.png|Title screen
</gallery>
</gallery>


{{ToC}}
==Story==
September 12th 2631, Midnight. The latest and most powerful automatic was equipped, and the radar commanded by the Marines caught a small-size meteorite that was approaching abnormally to the earth. The meteorite fell 20km north-east of New Zealand at the gal mosquito archipelago. The command did a long-term observation of the meteorite after that.


==References==
Two years later, on December 2633, an intruder known as Red Falcon was occupying the Gal Mosquito Archipelago and was planning the fall of mankind. Command ordered a confidential investigation at the enemy's front base. The marine post ordered two "Contra" Soldiers Private First Class Bill Rizer and Private First Class Lance Bean. Their mission is to penetrate the insides of the enemy, destroy the front base and the entire center of operation. Bill and Lance are sent to the Gal Mosquito Archipelago.
<references/>


==External links==
{{ToC}}
* '''Source:''' [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/nes/game/563399.html Contra FAQ] by [http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/23864.html Pseudonym]
{{Contra}}
* [http://contra.classicgaming.gamespy.com/games/contranes/contranes.htm ''Contra'' @ The Contra HQ]


[[Category:NES]]
[[Category:Konami]]
[[Category:Commodore 64/128]]
[[Category:Hamster Corporation]]
[[Category:Action]]
[[Category:Single player]]
[[Category:Single player]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]
[[Category:Konami]]
[[Category:MAME]]
[[Category:Action]]
[[Category:1988]]
[[Category:1990]]
[[Category:December 28]]
[[Category:February 9]]
[[Category:Contra]]

Latest revision as of 08:10, 16 April 2023

This is the first game in the Contra series. For other games in the series see the Contra category.

Box artwork for Contra.
Box artwork for Contra.
Contra
Developer(s)Konami
Publisher(s)Konami
Year released1987
System(s)Arcade, DOS, MSX2, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64/128, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Mobile, Xbox 360
Followed bySuper C
SeriesContra,
Oretachi Game Center Zoku,
Arcade Archives
Japanese title魂斗羅
Genre(s)Action
Players1-2
ModesSingle player, Multiplayer
Rating(s)CERO All agesESRB Everyone 10+PEGI Ages 7+Parental Guidance
Oretachi Game Center Zoku: Contra
Developer(s)Konami
Publisher(s)Hamster Corporation
Year released2006
System(s)PlayStation 2
Arcade Archives Contra
Developer(s)Konami
Publisher(s)Hamster Corporation
Year released2016
System(s)PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
LinksContra at PCGamingWikiContra ChannelSearchSearch
For the NES conversion of this game, see Contra (NES). For the Game Boy game called Contra in Japan, see Operation C.

Contra (魂斗羅コントラ Kontora?), known as Gryzor in Europe and Oceania, is a run and gun action game developed and published by Konami, originally released in the arcades on February 20, 1987. In Japanese, the title is spelled with the kanji characters 魂斗羅 or Kontora. This is a form of ateji, in which the characters are used for their phonetic pronunciations rather than any inherent meaning they may have. The main character is equipped with a rifle with an unlimited amount of ammunition. The player can also jump, move and fire in eight directions, as well as move or jump simultaneously while firing. A single hit from any enemy, bullet, or other hazard will instantly kill the player character and discard the current weapon.

There are a total of over 10 areas in the game. There are two types of stages in Contra. In addition to the standard side view stages, Contra also features stages in which the player character is seen from behind and must move towards the background in order to proceed. Each of these "3D maze" stages are set inside the corridor of an enemy base in which the player must fight through the base's defenses in order to reach the core of the base. During the 3D maze stages, the upper screen will display a map of the base along with a time limit. Each maze stage is followed by a "3D fixed" stage set at the core of the base, in which the player must destroy a series of flashing sensors to expose an even larger sensor and destroy it.

Contra also features a two-player cooperative mode. Both players occupy the same screen and must coordinate their actions. One player lagging behind can cause problems for his partner, as the screen will not scroll onward, and a slow player can be fatal to his partner. The European release, Gryzor, does not feature a simultaneous 2-Players mode. Instead, both players take turns: whenever one player dies, the other gets his turn. There are a total of four weapons the player can retrieve from flying weapon capsules, pill-box sensors, or red guards during 3D mazes. All the power-ups in the arcade version are represented by Eagle-shaped letter icons with the exception of the Machine Gun and Laser. In the arcade version, the flying weapon capsules only appear if the player is not wielding any special weapons.

Contra was ported as Gryzor to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64 by Ocean Software for their release in Europe in 1988, with the Commodore 64 version also being released as Contra in North America by Konami. On November 8, 2006 an Xbox Live Arcade port was released. This was the arcade version and included both original and arranged modes of play, as well as achievements.

Story[edit]

September 12th 2631, Midnight. The latest and most powerful automatic was equipped, and the radar commanded by the Marines caught a small-size meteorite that was approaching abnormally to the earth. The meteorite fell 20km north-east of New Zealand at the gal mosquito archipelago. The command did a long-term observation of the meteorite after that.

Two years later, on December 2633, an intruder known as Red Falcon was occupying the Gal Mosquito Archipelago and was planning the fall of mankind. Command ordered a confidential investigation at the enemy's front base. The marine post ordered two "Contra" Soldiers Private First Class Bill Rizer and Private First Class Lance Bean. Their mission is to penetrate the insides of the enemy, destroy the front base and the entire center of operation. Bill and Lance are sent to the Gal Mosquito Archipelago.

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