Contra: Anniversary Collection

The Contra: Anniversary Collection brings together some of the most iconic run and gun action games from the '80s and '90s. This collection includes Contra, Super Contra, Contra III: The Alien Wars, Operation C and Contra: Hard Corps.

Contra: Anniversary Collection

Contra

Starting with the arcade originals, Contra and Super Contra are fast-paced, chaotic, and punishing. Tho, the NES versions tone down the difficulty slightly while keeping the tight controls and addictive gameplay. The NES Contra is legendary for the infamous Konami Code (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start), which gives you 30 lives. 

The Japanese version of Contra is the definitive way to play, it has animated backgrounds and cutscenes that were stripped from the international release. The patch I used is a refined version of the Stardust Crusaders translation, fixing minor gripes like the awkwardly slow text pacing and the weird flaming logo, replaced with something closer to the Japanese original. Now, the intro text matches the music’s rhythm, and the story text is snappier, making the whole presentation feel tighter. You even get the option to keep the Japanese title screen if you prefer.

Super Contra improves on the formula with new weapons and vertical-scrolling stages, making it a worthy sequel. Plus, the HD patch overhauls it with cleaned-up text, fonts, and colors. While the original is great, this hack makes it look even sharper while keeping the same tight gameplay. It’s a small but noticeable upgrade for purists who want the best possible 8-bit Contra experience.

Contra III: The Alien Wars is where the series evolved. The graphics are a massive step up, the soundtrack slaps, and the gameplay introduces new mechanics like dual wielding weapons and Mode 7-style overhead stages. It’s still tough as nails, but the controls are smoother, and the level design is more varied.

However, the SNES hardware sometimes chugs under the chaos, especially in later levels. The FastROM patch moves the game’s code to faster memory banks, eliminating most of the slowdown. Now, bullets fly smoother, explosions don’t lag, and the action stays buttery. Its latest update also fixes a difficulty selection glitch, making this the best way to play it.

Then there’s Contra: Hard Corps, arguably the most underrated entry. It’s faster, crazier, and more experimental, with multiple endings, branching paths, and a killer soundtrack. The difficulty is through the roof, tho some might call it unfair, but mastering it feels rewarding.  Hard Corps is already the most insane Contra game, but these patches make it even better:

• Enhancement Hack: Quality-of-life fixes everywhere, skippable cutscenes, faster text scrolling, better fonts, and even a soft reset. The biggest win? Being able to hold B+C to speed through dialogue. No more mashing through mission briefings!
• Hit Points Restoration Hack: The US version of Hard Corps is brutal, one hit and you’re dead. This patch brings back the Japanese version’s three-hit life bar, making the game tough but fair. It also restores deleted cheat codes and even unlocks a debug level.
• Stationary Fire+ Patch: Now you can hold the MODE button on a 6-button controller to lock your aim (like Contra III’s R-button). It’s a small change, but it makes precision shooting way easier.

Meanwhile Operation C is a surprisingly solid portable adaptation, condensing the run and gun action into a smaller screen without losing the intensity, but with the colorization romhack looks like an official GBC release. The added colors make the sprites pop and the action clearer, way better than the original pea soup green monochrome.

As for Contra Force, there are no patches here because… well, nobody’s rushing to fix this one…

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Contra’s legacy ain’t just about blowing up alien scum on the big screen, we’ve got the portable ops, arcade classics, and console bangers locked and loaded in this collection! These games pack the same screen-filling bullets, desperate spread shots, and last second dodges that made you a legend.  

QR codes locked and loaded? Scan 'em fast! This is Konami’s run and gun spirit at its rawest: no checkpoints, no hand-holding, just pure, unfiltered Contra carnage. So listen up, soldier! Pick your mission via FBI’s Remote Install, the next alien horde ain’t gonna shred itself! READY… FIRE!

Contra: Director's Cut

Super Contra HD

Contra III: The Alien Wars

Contra: Hard Corps

Operation C

Contra Force