Contra: Operation Galuga

Contra is one of the most iconic series in the run-and-gun genre – run forward, shoot your way through a horde of enemies, and dodge a flood of projectiles, often with just a single extra life as your only reserve. Konami founded the series back in 1987, and it has since gone through dozens of sequels, spin-offs, and experiments with the genre, from classic 2D entries to 3D detours that didn't meet with as warm a reception from fans as the original games. The series' name changed across different regions, but the basic principle remained the same – merciless difficulty and cooperation between two mercenaries against overwhelming odds.

Operation Galuga is an official reimagining of the very first Contra title, not simply a remaster. Studio WayForward kept the basic story skeleton – a pair of mercenaries facing an alien invasion on the fictional island of Galuga – but built new levels, bosses, and playable characters around it, including several that never appeared in the original at all. The player can also switch at any time during gameplay between modern 3D graphics and stylized pixel art reminiscent of the original's look, without it being just a graphical filter over the same data. The game released simultaneously on several platforms, including PC, and supports co-op for up to four players both online and locally, building on cooperative play just as much as on a solo run, and also offers an easier difficulty for players not used to tough old-school challenges. The weapon system from later entries in the series – collecting and upgrading gear during a level – has been kept and is complemented by new special abilities for each character.

Why play: Operation Galuga is an ideal entry point for anyone who wants to experience the brutal but fair difficulty of a classic run-and-gun without having to struggle through forty-year-old graphics – and a great choice for a group that wants to burn through an evening with a cooperative shooter full of explosions and over-the-top bosses.

Why play: For the brutal but fair difficulty of a classic run-and-gun without forty-year-old graphics, and a great choice for a group planning a cooperative evening full of explosions and over-the-top bosses.