Contra NES - Run & Gun Strategy Guide

Console: NES Genre: Run & Gun / Action Rating: 9.7/10 Release: 1988

Few games define the arcade-action genre on home consoles as perfectly as Konami's Contra. Released on the NES in 1988, it became a cultural phenomenon, renowned for its tight gameplay controls, blistering action, legendary co-op multiplayer, and notorious difficulty. In this strategic guide, we break down the game's mechanics, weapon pick-ups, level-by-level tactics, and boss fights to help you defeat the alien threat of Red Falcon.

1. The History of Red Falcon's Defeat

Contra is set in the future (the year 2631 AD), where an alien organization known as the Red Falcon Group has established a base on the Galuga Archipelago near New Zealand with the intent of destroying humanity. The Earth Federation sends two elite commandos: Bill Rizer (Mad Dog) and Lance Bean (Scorpion), of the special forces unit Contra, to infiltrate the island and dismantle the alien stronghold.

While originally an arcade game, the NES port is often considered superior due to its expanded stage designs, tighter responsive inputs, and incredible chiptune soundtrack composed by Hidenori Maezawa. It was one of the first console games to support true two-player simultaneous action, encouraging teamwork and shared screen tactics.

2. Firepower & Weapon Power-Ups

As you progress through the game, flying sensory pods or base capsules will appear. Shooting them releases a letter-coded weapon upgrade. Learning when to hold and use these weapons is key to survival:

M (Machine Gun): Fires rapidly in automatic mode. You can hold down the attack button instead of tapping it. It's a reliable weapon but lacks area coverage.
F (Flame Thrower): Fires large circles of flame that travel in a slow, rotating forward pattern. While visually interesting, it has limited range and speed.
L (Laser): Shoots a high-damage beam of energy. However, on the NES, firing a new beam cancels the previous one, meaning you must space out shots to hit targets at range. It deals massive damage to stationary bosses.
S (Spread Gun): The absolute best weapon in the game. It shoots a fan of five high-velocity bullets in a wide arc, letting you hit enemies on different platforms and clear screens easily. Protect this weapon at all costs!
B (Barrier): Grants temporary invincibility. During this time, you can run through enemies and hazards without taking damage.
R (Rapid Fire): Increases the firing velocity and density of your current weapon. It is highly effective when paired with the Spread Gun or Machine Gun.

3. Stage-by-Stage Walkthrough

Contra features 8 stages, alternating between side-scrolling platforming and pseudo-3D "behind-the-back" base corridors:

Stage 1: Jungle - A side-scrolling introduction. Watch out for snipers hiding in trees and falling bridges. The boss is a Wall Fortress with twin gun turrets and a core. Target the turrets first.
Stage 2: Base 1 - A pseudo-3D corridor. You must destroy the glowing sensors on the wall barrier to disable electrical blockades. Jump and duck to avoid incoming bullets. The boss is a core protected by moving defenses.
Stage 3: Waterfall - A vertical climbing stage. Watch out for falling rocks and fire-spitting status blocks. Move quickly but carefully, as falling off the bottom of the screen is instant death. The boss is an alien dragon, Golem.
Stage 4: Base 2 - Similar to Stage 2, but featuring faster enemy spawns and rolling grenades. The boss is a split-image mirror projection core.
Stage 5: Snow Field - Side-scrolling winter area. Watch out for charging trucks and hidden grenade throwers in the snow banks. The boss is a flying craft that drops tracking alien pods.
Stage 6: Energy Zone - Sprawling with giant flame jets that erupt on timers. Memorize the fire patterns before moving across platforms. The boss is a giant armored soldier who tosses discs.
Stage 7: Hangar - Features moving spiked minecarts, crushing pistons, and dropping floors. Take your time and clear out the turrets. The boss is a defensive security wall.
Stage 8: Alien Lair - The final stage. The environment is organic, made of biological structures, alien mouths that shoot pods, and facehugger-like creatures. Destroy the alien heart to defeat the Red Falcon.

4. The Legendary Konami Code

Because Contra is incredibly difficult, offering only three lives by default, Konami included a secret cheat code. Entering this code on the title screen before starting the game grants the player 30 lives instead of the standard 3. This code became a cornerstone of gaming culture:

UP, UP, DOWN, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, B, A, START

For two-player co-op mode, enter the code and press **SELECT** before pressing **START**.

5. Advanced Combat Tips

The Ducking Technique: When equipped with the Spread Gun, you can duck on the ground to hit small targets or avoid mid-height bullets while covering the screen in a defensive shield of bullets.
Diagonal Aiming: You can aim in eight directions. Learn to run while shooting diagonally upwards to clear out snipers before they can fire down at you.
Stealing Lives: In two-player mode, if one player runs out of lives, they can "steal" a life from the other player's remaining stock by pressing A + B.