Hard Corps: Uprising

Hard Corps: Uprising was released by Konami in 2011, first digitally on Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade, and the game was developed by the Japanese studio Arc System Works, otherwise known mainly for fighting games such as the Guilty Gear series. The story is set as a prequel to the 1994 Hard Corps, and the main character is a mercenary named Bahamut, who later in the series' timeline becomes one of its villains. Besides Bahamut, another playable character with different weaponry and fighting style is also available, so the player can choose whether to favor straightforward firepower or more agile on-screen movement.

What sets this installment apart from earlier entries in the series is mainly its system of unlockable abilities and virtual currency, which the player earns between attempts and invests in upgrading their character, bringing the game closer to a modern design with persistent progression across lives and attempts. There is also an alternative Rising mode, in which the character never dies but instead loses the power of their current weapon when hit, and two-player co-op in the anime-stylized graphics typical of Arc System Works gives the entire visual style a completely different feel than the pixel-art nineties entries of the series that the game's story is based on. The soundtrack also relies on an energetic metal and rock style typical of earlier Arc System Works games, which is another element that sets this installment apart sonically from the more orchestral or purely chiptune tone of earlier Contra entries.

Why play it: A great choice for players who want tough, old-school Contra combined with a modern progression system, a choice of characters with different abilities, and striking anime visuals from Arc System Works, plus an alternative mode for less experienced players.