A demo for the upcoming Contra Operation Galuga, a new game in a franchise I thought was long gone and a remake of the run-and-gun 2D shooter I grew up on, was released a few days ago by Wayforward and Konami.
Is Contra making a comeback? Indeed, I think so, but continue reading and I’ll explain why.
I Have A Past With Contra
For as long as I have played video games, Konami’s Contra series has been a part of my gaming history. I’ve played every Contra game on the Gameboy Sega Genesis, NES, Super NES, arcade machines, and PlayStation 2.
However, over the past few years, it has been more and more clear that Konami was more interested in creating collections of games—some of which were awful—than in completely reimagining its video games. I had given up expecting to see another Contra game (Contra Returns) that wasn’t a poorly designed mobile game.
Level 1 of the Contra Operation Galuga Demo
However, when Wayforward and Konami revealed they would be releasing a new Contra game, Contra Operation Galuga, in 2023, things started to shift, and I was both relieved and wary at the same time.
I wasn’t sure what to anticipate from Konami because I’ve been let down so many times in the past. However, Wayforward was also involved, and as a developer, I adore them. This new game would hopefully be the beginning of a new Contra series and be a recreation of the original game’s Arcade and NES versions. All I could do was speculate.
On February 21, 2024, at the Nintendo Direct, the Contra Operation Galuga demo for the Nintendo Switch was shown. Although I don’t play my Switch too much, I’m glad that in addition to the Switch version, the demo was accessible on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. I downloaded the game onto my PC and Switch, reviewed my expectations, and started the game with a happy yet suspicious feeling.
The Ancient Is New Again
Contra Operation Galuga is a remake of the original Contra game, which has been available on numerous platforms, as I’ve stated a few times. This is pretty evident to that extent. Although there is only one level available in the demo, it is a fairly large and replayable one.
With a few tweaks while staying true to the original game, this level blends aspects from Contra’s first and third stages. Though combined, the first and second-level bosses make a reappearance, offering a fresh take on the game that has been around for almost four decades.
Immediately following the boss’s defeat, the player is thrust into the third Contra level, a modified vertical ascent to the summit that remains remarkably true to the original game. It was previously not possible for players to climb upward using the walls, but now they can.
At last, arriving at the summit, the Contra third-level monster emerges, looking familiar but far more powerful. There is a lot more activity on the screen, and the attack patterns are more complex and varied. However, the OG Contra boss is still very much present.
Upgrades, huh?
Not anything has changed, just the level designs. Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, two well-known characters, have made a comeback and are just as muscular as they were during Super Contra’s arcade debut. They are not the only characters accessible, though, since Probotector—the name of the Contra series in Europe and Japan—is the name of two robotic characters and a new playable female character named Galuga Ariana.
Demo of Contra Operation Galuga: Let’s go!
The weapons are capable of more than just shooting; you can also sacrifice a weapon named Overload to get methods of mass destruction.
For example, the homing shot can launch drones that will attack anything in their path, the spread gun can fire several spread rounds that will cover the screen, and the laser can slow down motion. Because you can employ the new skills, switch to a different weapon, or vice versa, this adds another element of strategy. As long as you have a certain weapon on hand, there is no restriction on how many times you can perform this.
Man is controlled by
Naturally, responsive controls are essential to a Contra game, and I have no issues with them at all. Although I initially experienced some slowness when playing the Switch version, I thought the controls on the PC version were excellent. Additionally, I can choose to use the 360-degree first or the 8-way, which is my preference. It’s also returning to be able to aim with greater precision by holding down the button.
Despite the fact that I’ve played the demo at least ten times, the only times I suffered were from foolish mistakes or from too much happening on the final demo boss. Everything works well with the controls.
Is Contra Making a Comeback? I Believe That
This is not even a brief glimpse of the demo. However, this demo did a good job of explaining what to expect from the entire game. Though Contra Operation Galuga is a contemporary Contra game, it clearly bears the DNA of the earlier games. It has been a long since we had a good Contra game.
Having changed my mind entirely since the game’s initial announcement, I’m now eager for it to be launched. Perhaps it’s the nostalgia or the sense that this will be a good Contra game—I dunno. In any case, I’m prepared.
If you would like to give Contra Operation Galuga a try, you may download the demo for any platform.
On March 12, 2024, Contra Operation Galuga will be released on the PC (Steam), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.