Contra Force Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up / Shooter
Contra
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 (originally 1987) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Shooter |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Contra |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 12 |
Developed by Konami, Contra arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988 as a shoot 'em up. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Probotector. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987. It blends shoot 'em up and shooter elements.
It landed about 3 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1988 include Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Final Fantasy II. Among the 84 NES shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #7 by legacy score.
It is part of the Contra series; on the NES you can also try Contra Force and Super Contra. The series also appears on other systems with Contra III: The Alien Wars (SNES) and Contra: Hard Corps (Genesis). Konami also made Metal Gear, Castlevania and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for the NES.
Contra supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Contra is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Contra cheats & codes
65 codes on file (Game Genie, Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite lives | SLAIUZ |
|---|---|
| Keep weapons after losing life | GXIIUX |
| Enemies will ignore you | SLTIYG |
| Get Machine Gun after dying | PEIIXZ |
| Get Fire Gun after dying | ZEIIXZ |
| Get Spray Gun after dying | LEIIXZ |
Contra walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Contra.
If you like Contra, the Matrix also picks…
Battle City Classic Co-op
Space Invaders Classic
Jackal Classic Co-op
Contra: Hard Corps Classic
Salamander Classic Co-op
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Contra FAQ
When did Contra come out on the NES?
Contra was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988; the original game dates back to 1987.
Who made Contra?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Contra multiplayer?
Yes. Contra supports up to 2 players.
How long does Contra take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Contra typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Contra on Wikipedia. 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.