So, in light of the pending release of the new Contra 4 for the DS Lite, I thought I would break out the old Contra games and play them again. Now Contra has a special place in my heart. This was a game my brother and I used to play for hours as kids. So there are fond memories tied to it. I will try not to let them bias my writings on this, but I don't feel that it is going to do much good.
Well, I started with the first Contra. Nothing beats the waterfall level. This game is where people began to dream big about boss battles. Visions that engulfed the screen. Beasts that snacked on those extra lives you worked so hard for like they were peanuts. The spread cannon changed platforming shooters forever. Then I switched to Super C. Now I have to admit that I really hadn't had much experience with this game. The pace is definitely much, much faster. I found the original game more of a sporadic shooter. Where as Super C and the following are more of hold down the fire button type games. Definitely twitch play type games. Now I'm not a twitch gamer by any stretch of the imagination, but there is something about these games that draws you in. They were amazing graphically for their time. I loved the progression of the weapons. The heatseaker gun is by far my favorite. And I can see why people say Contra III is the game to beat. I've seen footage of Contra 4 and can't imagine how crazy this game is going to be on 2 screens. I'm glad they didn't scrap the look for something new. Rather, they realized that this is one of the reasons people love this game so much.
Retro gaming is big not just because it reminds us of our childhood, but because they were great games. Solid, well thougth out, tough games. Back when games set out to kick the crap out of you. You got abused, but always came back for more. This is one of those rare games. The ones that make an indelible mark on gaming forever. I would dare to say that this game is right there with Mario as far as affect on the gaming industry. Games that define geners. If this would have been a game that was thought of today it would be a killer app for whatever console it ended up on. After hearing Igarashi talk about Castlevania, and why it is still 2D, he's right, a game doesn't have to look like reality to be great. People play games to escape for a while. To unwind. Let games be games.
Enough of my soapbox. Great game!! Must Play!!!
