Being a fan of pretty much everything retro, I could not be happier with this batch of first screens from the upcoming Contra 4 (not IV?) for the Nintendo DS.
In my humble opinon, the graphics could not be more perfect, triggering memories of when Contra games were nothing but super rad 2D sprites. Oh, hello, Mr. Fancy Polygonal Backgrounds. Yeah, sorry, we already made a decision. Have you met the ridiculously hot Ms. Parallax Scrolling? Thanks for coming down, though.
It’s crazy to think that just a week ago this game was unexpectedly announced and now has already become my most anticipated game of the year. Seriously, how much does this remind you of the awesomeness that was Contra III: Alien Wars? If I can ride on some missiles while fighting a massive boss in this game as well my head might very well explode with joy.
My only small, miniscule, teeny-tiny, almost unmentionable concern: hopefully the dual screen level set-up won’t run into any Yoshi’s Island DS “blocking” issues (mainly that the actual piece of plastic between the two DS screens obscures the vital in-game action).
Other than that, bring on the spread gun! I can envision killing my friend on a vertical scrolling level by jumping too far ahead already …
[Editor's note/update: more screenshots and a slew of information on the game can be found over at 1UP - Nick]
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mmmm tasty!
Any word on release?
This looks fucking rad. Damn - I thinks i'll have to get a DS now.
DO WANT! Online co-op would be nice Konami!
I just might break my miserly ways and finally buy another game, and this will be it. I have been wanting to get my hands on the original NES Contra, but this might be worth getting first (as the story amounts to "You kill enemies. The end"). And, as it's on a handheld, I can practice the game often to master the devious difficulty level.
I really hope that the people developing this dont fuck it up big time. But, these screens are making me happy, saying that they are doing this right.
Ya know whats worth getting first the over looked genisis title Contra HARD CORPS.
Oh dear... I think I've wet meself.
This looks fantastic. A true Contra sequel following up the ultimate - Contra III? Get some wi-fi co-op and this could be huge.
Seriously, I'd take sprites over polygons any day, especially after beautiful games like Odin Sphere.
Exception: games that are exceptionally cel-shaded, such as Wind Waker, Okami, and perhaps .hack//G.U.
@leapfrogmcgee,
Early word points to September 2007. :)
What Necros said.
Fucking hell yes. No need for anything three dimensional here. Good old fashioned sprites and, yes PARALAX SCROLLING! The awesomeness is palpable.
I'm also worried about the "dead zone" in between screens. It pissed me off rightly in YIDS, but here's hoping they don't actually have enemies running around in there.
Best piece of news I read all day! I'm so excited, I played ungoldy amounts of Contra, Super C, & Contra III back in the day. I even still have the original cartridges despite not having the systems anymore.
I wonder if they are going to bring back any of the top down maps like in Contra III, now that would be bad ass. All in all this looks like they are taking it in the right direction.
As long as this code still works, this is going to rock!!
I'm with you on this one, Chad. I'm super pumped about this. I also agree about the Yoshi's Island thing, but I'm sure they won't do that with this one. It made sense for that game because it would have been impossible to throw eggs accurately otherwise, but considering you can only shoot in eight directions in Contra, that shouldn't be an issue.
The interview with the team in the latest Nintendo Power indicates that they are very mindful of the between-the-screens dead zone. I'd pump myself up even more for this by playing Contra III on VC, but I have no Classic Controller. Damn nonconfigurable buttons.
Ugh, I know, Challenger. I bought Contra III on the VC, and that was the game that literally MADE me buy a Classic Controller, because it's absolutely retarded on a GameCube controller. They mapped the buttons by name, not by location, so you can't jump and fire without setting off a bomb. Dumb.
Just watched a youtube video of some guys who I guess like contra and I feel their pain in contra. Without the code, any contra game is just tooo hard.
Here's a link to the video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=izvclsSHMys
those graphics look like complete shit
SPREAD GUN! I came.
This makes happy does.
leapfrogmcgee: "Ya know whats worth getting first the over looked genisis title Contra HARD CORPS."
Agreed. I loved that game. Maybe not as much as Alien Wars, but it's still far too overlooked in my opinion.
And I second what everyone else says. Looks amazing, can't wait.
COntra Hard Corps was the best EVER!!!
multiple weapons, a hot chick, some Werewolf with shades!!
different endings, synthesizer music
I CANT WAIT TO GET THIS!!!!!
Sheena!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh hell yeah. Contra the way it should be. After Neo Contra or whatever, I thought all was lost.
And Contra:Hardcorps is a great game and probably the hardest Contra title there is. There is a boss fight every 12 steps it seems. I like it...I like it alot.
Jesus, that vertical scrolling level makes me fear multiplayer.
"God damn, dude, quit leaving me down here to die! Stop fucking moving, asshole, let me catch up!"
Curse you, waterfall stage!
@DrNutt,
Ha ha ha. Totally. I always felt so bad. I would kill countless friends just to be the first to get that damn spread gun. :)
Online Co-op, FTW. I'm going to get this game, regardless, but being able to team up for retro pew pew goodness would make this the DS game of the year. As if they needed any more AAA games to sell the handheld.
nice, cant wait.
This looks like all kinds of awesome. I wonder if it'll release in PAL territories as Probotector.