Contra 4 coming to DS

[AndrewTS 0]

http://www.gaming-age.com/news/2007/6/20-35

 

KONAMI ANNOUNCES CONTRA 4 FOR NINTENDO DS

 

Explosive Action Series Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Unique Dual Screen Presentation, New Gameplay Elements and Cooperative Multiplayer Mayhem

 

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – June 20, 2007 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced Contra 4 (working title) for the Nintendo DS™. Marking the 20th anniversary of the quintessential action franchise, the game pushes 2D side-scrolling action in an all-new direction with gunplay that spans two full screens, original gameplay mechanics that grant players deadlier abilities than ever before, and frantic multiplayer functionality.

 

Contra 4 takes place two years after the events of Contra III: The Alien Wars. After saving earth from invasion by Red Falcon, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean are confronted with a new extraterrestrial menace: the terrifying Black Viper. Joined by hard-boiled mercenaries Mad Dog and Scorpion, the warriors must once again wage war against an entire army of invaders.

 

Refining the 2D side-scrolling genre the series established 20 years ago, Contra 4 delivers pure action at a fever pitch as players jump, shoot, and dodge oncoming hazards. Utilizing a new dual screen presentation, the action spans both screens of the Nintendo DS, giving players the opportunity to battle across expansive environments in which death can come from any direction. The use of both screens for the game’s core action also allows for massive boss battles as players try to seek and destroy the weak points of sky-high enemies. A first for the series, Contra 4 introduces a grappling hook accessory that lets players grab onto elements of the environment directly above them. Whether using it to avoid oncoming dangers or attack from a strategic vantage point, the grappling hook allows for new combat situations and dramatic set pieces that underscore the game’s adrenaline-soaked pedigree.

 

Continuing the multiplayer tradition of previous games in the series, Contra 4 lets two players battle together against Black Viper’s army of vile alien forces and reclaim Earth for mankind.

 

Developed by WayForward Technologies, Contra 4 is planned for release on the Nintendo DS in 2007. For more information on the game and the Contra franchise, please visit: www.konami.com .

 

While I don't feel guaranteed quality is there, what with Wayforward's other platformers being nothing like Contra, I'm eager to see what they can do with the series and glad to see more output from them.

[DrVenkman PhD 0]

This is why I hate it when a series swaps numbers for sub-titles, then revert back. Wouldn't Hardcorps be Contra IV? Or was it just a harder version of CIII? All moot anyway, it's just a tentative title.

 

Could be good.

[AndrewTS 0]

This is why I hate it when a series swaps numbers for sub-titles, then revert back. Wouldn't Hardcorps be Contra IV? Or was it just a harder version of CIII? All moot anyway, it's just a tentative title.

 

Could be good.

 

Hard Corp was a totally different game than C3, although the GBA game meshed together content from both games.

 

It would be more Contras than that, when you consider that after Contra HC, there was also Legacy of War, C: The Contra Adventure, Contra: Shattered Soldier and Neo Contra.

[The Flamboyance 0]

Nice. I just got a DS two weeks ago and I'll probably be getting this. Havent played a Contra game in years.

 

For some reason I thought it was out longer than 20 years. Weird.

[DrVenkman PhD 0]

I didn't bother pointing out the post Hardcorps games because my "isn't this 4?" point was already made (and again, I think it will be moot when they retitle the game "Contra: Deadly Skies"). On that note, the whole numbering rule was already broken with Contra III anyway (Contra -> Super C -> Contra Force -> Contra III).

[AndrewTS 0]

Oh yeah.

 

Contra Force sucked, but it was still the 3rd Contra. However, our Contra 3 was *only* Contra 3 in NA; it was titled Super Probotector in Europe and Contra Spirits in Japan.

[AndrewTS 0]

Screenshots and new gameplay info popped up on NeoGIFs.

 

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php...5119&page=5

 

The screens themselves are from Nintendo Power.

 

An IGN poster got the mag and posted these tidbits.

 

-4player co-op play!!!

-Konami and Wayforward co-developing it

-They researched and played to death the past 3 Contra games and played other top shooter games (gunstar heroes, metal slug, etc.) to see what made Contra different

-It will have the Contra feel to it

-It will be hard (3 difficulties - easy, normal, and hard)

-Focused on making graphic style similar to the first one with the lush greens and bright colors

-Hinted at a lenghty quest/different modes of play

-Are following the gameplay style of Contra 3 as far as weapons are concerned (dual wielding, upgrades, etc.)

-Some Bosses take up 2 screens

-They are focused on making it the best Contra ever

-They hint that the Konami Code will be in it

[Youth N Asia 0]

I hated the Contra game for the PS2. Stuff would fly at you so fast it became a memorization game and wasn't any fun

[AndrewTS 0]

I hated the Contra game for the PS2. Stuff would fly at you so fast it became a memorization game and wasn't any fun

 

Shattered or Neo?

 

Neo was pretty easy but Shattered was the really hard side scroller.

[Youth N Asia 0]

It was Shattered, stuff would fly out so fast that the only way to avoid it would be to remember it for next time. It wasn't any fun

[AndrewTS 0]

It was Shattered, stuff would fly out so fast that the only way to avoid it would be to remember it for next time. It wasn't any fun

 

That's been a common complaint of the series from Contra 3 onward, too, though. Less "twitch" game play and more pattern memorization. Not that Contra 3 isn't rad. Although it does appear to be to the extreme in Shattered.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

I always sucked at Contra. Hate to admit it.

[AndrewTS 0]

I always sucked at Contra. Hate to admit it.

 

Don't worry. You're in good company. I can't beat Contra 1 without the code, but Lord knows I've tried.

 

Contra 3 I can get pretty far in, it's an awesome game in any rate.

 

Super C kicks my ass so hard, and it's codeless.

 

Hard Corp is glorious, but praise be to the almighty Game Genie.

 

1up has an awesome C4 preview up now. It even includes musings on the curious numbering.

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3160665

[AndrewTS 0]

gamevideos has a clip of gameplay from the 1up show.

 

Beware--gamevideos player is a bit spotty and, well, Shane is a jackass. I suggest downloading over streaming.

 

http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/12644

[AndrewTS 0]

Contra Hard Corps speed run:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxqKeI0VkBs

 

(Somebody else's, that is. )

[AndrewTS 0]

Poster included with new Nintendo Power issue: http://www.destructoid.com/elephant//ul/98...oster-2-dsf.jpg

[EricMM 0]

I beat Super C, but I was a kid, so I must've just memorized everything, learned each bosses patterns and safespots, etc.

[Matt Young 0]

Holy shit. Bonus content:

 

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the popular Contra franchise of video games, Konami Digital Entertainment plans to incorporate a wealth of in-game bonus content into its latest entry in the run and gun action franchise, Contra 4 for the Nintendo DS. The content includes:

 

• 20th Anniversary Virtual Museum – this museum provides a virtual history of the Contra franchise since the early 80's, including box art, screen shots and information on every version of Contra from the US, Japan and Europe. The museum also features an unlockable gallery of bonus art.

• Unlockable Games – The NES versions of the classic Contra and Super C are now unlockable.

• 5 unlockable characters, including the Probotector from the European version of the Contra games

• 2 unlockable digital comic books from longtime Contra artist, Atsushi Tsujimoto

• An interview with noted Contra Producer Nobuya Nakazato

[BUTT 0]

I'll be all over this game.

 

I used to think Hard Corps was inferior to The Alien Wars until I played it all the way through (using a Game Genie code) and that shit is the most awesome of the Contra games. Seriously I'd put it in the top 5 Genesis games even though it is hard as fuck and it has an anthropomorphic dog or wolf or something like that. I do wonder why Konami made Castlevania Bloodlines and Hard Corps exclusive to Genesis when they could have sold well on both it and SNES. Ah well.

[AndrewTS 0]

Reminder bump: this game ships tomorrow!

 

Tomorrow/Wed my wallet is going to be attacked aggressively.

[Black Lushus 0]

Lance Bean and Bill Rizer....that's not REALLY their names...are they??

[SilverPhoenix 0]

I got the game yesterday, and it kicks total ass! Here are a few impressions I posted on my LJ

 

+ Amazing Graphics. Best looking Contra since, The Alien Wars.

+ Dead Spot on Control. Escpecially if you're on a DS Fat or if you're used to Contra already

+ Weapons can be upgraded

+ Retains Contra feel. This is the real sequel to Alien Wars Folks. (Hard Corps is a side story)

+ Boss Battles that will make you piss your pants in awesome gratitude.

+ Base 3D Levels kick an inordinate amount of ass

 

+ Game is Hard as hell, even on Easy. Okay, now let me say something here, and if its hurts a few of you guys, well, tough shit. Contra is not meant to be Easy. Never has been, it's going to be, never will be. Contra 4 is a throwback to the first 4 Contras in terms of difficulty. In fact, I haven't played a game this hard since the Saturn Days. And I was expecting it, too. Now I understand that this game may be too hard for some people, and that's okay. So I'm warning you all in advance. If you don't think you can handle Contra 4, then don't bother buying it. But if you're going to get this game, and then complain about the difficulty save the world your whining, and move onto something else.

 

+ Save Mode is included, but not without a price: Yes, you can save your game if you're on the go, and need to, but it comes with a few rules.

 

1) You start at the beginning of the level

2) You lose all of your weapons and their upgrades

3) It costs a continue.

 

In other words, peeps: Save with caution. It sometimes isn't worth it.

 

(And yes, this is a plus, because this is Contra, the game is not meant to be easy. Learn how to use the saves, get on with your life, and shoot some Alien Scum.)

 

-/+ Dual Screen adds new strategy, but not without some flaws: One of the features of this game is dual Screen, and one of the biggest concerns is the gap. Now in theory, being careful and looking at both screens can solve the problem. But when you're in the heat of battle and bullets are coming at you from all directions, this is sometimes a lot harder than it should be. Multiplayer games are going to have their success or failures determined from use of the screens, and placement of the characters. Now don't get me wrong, the game isn't broken because of that, but it does add to the challenge. Sometimes in a not so good way.

 

- No Single Cart Multiplayer: You and your friend will need to buy this game. And if you want to play it, you both should have it.

 

- Until you understand how this game is played, and understand how you can die, and learn how to avoid the needless deaths, you will get killed, by everything. But that's also part of the challenge. Still, it can be annoying.

 

Overall: I'm going to put ask you a few questions and you will get your answer.

 

1) Do you like Contra?

2) Do you like Old School Contra?

3) Do you like hand drawn art?

4) Do you like twitch gameplay?

5) Do you like a game that understands it's hard and proud of it?

6) Do you accept its difficultly?

 

If your final score is

 

0 - 1: Do yourself, and the rest of the world a favor. Avoid this game, and save yourself the time and stress.

2 - 3: Buy at your own risk and prepare for a ride

4 - 5: Buy it as soon as possible

6: Why the hell are you still reading this?!? You should be playing it, NOW!!

[Guest Scud]

If the game is as challenging as Shattered Soldier for the PS2 I won't be buying it. I felt like having to remember every part of the level in that game was a chore and took away from the overall enjoyment.

 

If it's like the first contra for the nes where you could put in the 25 lives code and just play through the game without having to worry about getting a game over then I will buy it.

 

I still play the first contra at least once every year now that I think about it. Sometimes when I have friends over we will just sit and play the game through even though it isn't as challenging (since we are cheating) and it is such an enjoyable experience. Cheating might make it seem like mindless fun but I guess I enjoy when a game can be more forgiving than when it is overly difficult and I pay the full price for it only to find I can't even beat the first few levels.

 

This is also the main reason I love the Castlevania games for the gba and ds since you can level your character up if you reach a part that is too challenging so that anyone can still finish the game regardless of their skill level.