Release Date: AVAILABLE NOW in stores on Nintendo Ds

For as long as I can remember, Contra has been the epitome of the “awesome-but-so-damn-hard-to-beat” game. Contra is that game, and has been released on almost every system; it seems that it’s always been around with each new console, and from the looks of it always will be.

Moving from the NES through the ranks to the Playstation 2, Contra has reigned supreme as a side scrolling and challenging adventure. Known for its massive boss fights and hordes of enemies flanking in from every direction, this is definitely a classic that has never changed. There have been variations but, all in all, it is what it is: Contra, and this has so far worked well for the title.

Contra 4 is the newest release for the franchise and for the first time is on the Nintendo DS. This time around, the developers really took it back to its roots with what could be viewed as a sequel of the NES version. The game plays the same as it did way back when and for anybody who never played the original, this will give you a taste of what so many before have praised. The graphics are pretty much what you would have seen with Contra III on the SNES; this being said, Contra 4 is basically just pieces of other games in the series brought together under one roof. As an added bonus you have the ability to unlock some older versions of the game for those of us who need some nostalgia in all our older titles.

The game itself is hard; it’s REALLY REALLY hard. There is no game released on the DS that come close to the amount of difficulty you’re going to have with this one. I can just see how the conversation was going during development: “Do you really think we should be able to beat this level? I’m thinking it’ll be more fun if we just make it impossible. You know what? That’s great thinking, impossible it is!” It’s incredibly difficult, but it’s what you’d expect from the series, and anything less would be a disappointment.

Contra 4 is a great look to the past with everything you probably wanted way back with the SNES and NES. Just heed my warning before playing this game: prepare to have a mini freakout with every level, and if you can find a DS version of the Wii Remote strap, I suggest you do; otherwise, I predict your DS will be airborne in mere minutes.

Simons Says Get it.

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