Operation C Classic
Super Nintendo · Action / Shoot 'em Up
Contra III: The Alien Wars
Certified classic Co-op
| System | Super Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Released | 1992 |
| Genre | Action, Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Contra |
| ESRB | KA |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 17 |
Developed by Konami, Contra III: The Alien Wars arrived on the Super Nintendo in 1992 as an action game. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Contra Spirits or Super Probotector: Alien Rebels. It blends action and shoot 'em up elements.
It came out in the SNES's second year on the market. Other notable SNES releases from 1992 include The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Mario Kart and Final Fantasy V. Among the 158 SNES action games in our database, it ranks #4 by legacy score.
It is part of the Contra series. The series also appears on other systems with Contra Force (NES) and Contra: Hard Corps (Genesis). Konami also made Super Castlevania IV, International Superstar Soccer Deluxe and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time for the SNES.
Contra III: The Alien Wars supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.
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 want a game to beat together with a friend
- you want to experience one of the SNES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests
What playing Contra III: The Alien Wars is like
Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.
Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.
Contra III: The Alien Wars cheats & codes
142 codes on file (Game Genie, Pro Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives (Side-View Levels) | 22BB-AD01 |
|---|---|
| Infinite Bombs (Side-View Levels) | 2264-D760 |
| Infinite Bombs (Top-View Levels) | 22B8-0766 |
| Infinite Continues | C2CA-0F04 |
| Keep Main Weapon When You Die (Side-View Levels) | 82BA-6FA1 |
| Keep Main Weapon When You Die (Top-View Levels) | 82BC-646B |
Contra III: The Alien Wars walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Contra III: The Alien Wars.
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Playing SNES games today
The SNES library has aged exceptionally well, especially its RPGs, platformers and puzzle games. A large selection is available on Nintendo Switch Online, and if you own the cartridges you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88, including online with friends.
Contra III: The Alien Wars FAQ
When did Contra III: The Alien Wars come out on the SNES?
Contra III: The Alien Wars was released for the Super Nintendo in 1992.
Who made Contra III: The Alien Wars?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Contra III: The Alien Wars multiplayer?
Yes. Contra III: The Alien Wars supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.
How long does Contra III: The Alien Wars take to play?
As an action game, Contra III: 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.
Read more about Contra III: The Alien Wars 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.