Game Boy · Shooter
Contra: The Alien Wars
| System | Game Boy |
|---|---|
| Released | 1994 |
| Genre | Shooter |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Contra |
| Legacy | Deep cut |
Developed by Konami, Contra: The Alien Wars arrived on the Game Boy in 1994 as a shooter.
It landed about 5 years into the Game Boy's life. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1994 include Donkey Kong, Mega Man V and Space Invaders.
It is part of the Contra series; on the Game Boy you can also try Operation C, Contra III: The Alien Wars and Probotector 2. The series also appears on other systems with Contra III: The Alien Wars (SNES) and Contra Force (NES). Konami also made Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge, Castlevania Legends and Castlevania: The Adventure for the Game Boy.
Contra: The Alien Wars is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you've played the Game Boy hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Contra: The Alien Wars is like
Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.
Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.
Contra: The Alien Wars cheats & codes
53 codes on file (Game Genie, GameShark, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Start With Flame Thrower | 017-97B-E6A |
|---|---|
| Start With Crush Gun | 077-97B-E6A |
| Start With Homing Shot | 087-97B-E6A |
| Start With Spread Shot | 097-97B-E6A |
| Get 5 Smart Bombs After You Die | 052-B1B-E6E |
| Get 9 Smart Bombs After You Die | 092-B1B-E6E |
If you like Contra: The Alien Wars, the Matrix also picks…
Playing Game Boy games today
Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.
Contra: The Alien Wars FAQ
When did Contra: The Alien Wars come out on the Game Boy?
Contra: The Alien Wars was released for the Game Boy in 1994.
Who made Contra: The Alien Wars?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Contra: The Alien Wars multiplayer?
No. Contra: The Alien Wars is a single-player game.
How long does Contra: The Alien Wars take to play?
As a shooter, Contra: The Alien Wars typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.