Contra 4

Sometimes the best way forward is the way back. Contra 4 is a declaration of love for the eight-bit and sixteen-bit era, when run & gun shooters knew no mercy and death came from a single hit. The game was released on the Nintendo DS and cleverly used both screens to render gigantic levels and bosses stretching across the two displays. For fans of classic Contra it was a dream come true.

The gameplay is pure and uncompromising: you advance through the level, shoot everything that moves, collect weapon upgrades and dodge a torrent of projectiles. The novelty is a grappling hook that lets the heroes swing between the top and bottom screens, extending the action vertically in a way the single-screen entries never allowed. The difficulty is legendarily high, and the game offers several difficulty levels along with rich unlockable content.

Contra 4 was developed by WayForward and published by Konami in 2007. WayForward, known for its love of classic 2D games, poured evident reverence for the series' legacy and precise pixel-art craftsmanship into the project. The game serves as a direct continuation of the storyline following Contra and Super C, and it even includes emulated versions of both those classics as a bonus.

Culturally, Contra 4 became a celebrated reboot of the brand after years of more awkward entries. Critics praised how faithfully it captured the tough spirit of the originals while adding clever modern touches. For many reviewers it was one of the best run & gun games of its time and proof that the old school still has plenty to offer, as long as it is approached with respect.

What makes Contra 4 unforgettable is that pure, adrenaline-fueled difficulty and the satisfaction of slowly earned mastery. It is a game that will kill you again and again until you learn every enemy pattern by heart, and therein lies its charm. For devotees of hardcore old-school action, it is a must.

Why play: An uncompromising old-school run & gun that cleverly uses both DS screens and is a written love letter to classic Contra.