Contra Force
Encyclopedia
Contra Force is a run-and-gun-style shoot-'em-up video game released by Konami
for the Nintendo Entertainment System
in in North America
only. It is a spin-off
of the Contra series and the third game in the series released for the NES (following the home versions of the original Contra and Super C
). In contrast to previous Contra titles, which featured sci-fi elements, Contra Force centers around a modern task force who must fight human terrorists instead. The game was originally scheduled to be released as an unrelated game in Japan
titled . The Japanese version was canceled and instead Konami localized the game for a North American release as a Contra spinoff.
The game consists of five stages: the odd-numbered stages (1, 3, and 5) are played from the standard side-view perspective, while the even-numbered stages (2 and 4) are played from an overhead perspective (similar to the ones in Super Contra and Operation C
). The objective is as simple as fighting as getting to the end of each stage, fighting every enemy who gets in the way, before confronting the boss
awaiting at the end.
The controls are similar to previous Contra games. At the side-view stages the player can walk left or right, as well as crouch and jump, whereas in the top-view stages the player can move in eight directions (but cannot jump nor crouch). Shooting is possible at any of the eight directions depending on the context. Instead of the instant power-ups from previous Contra games, the player has a power selection meter similar to the Gradius
series which shows what power-ups the player can obtain. The player must pick up briefcase-shaped power-ups, which are hidden within the destroyable environment of each stage, to move the cursor on the indicator by one increment. When the cursor is on the power-up the player wants to obtain, the player can confirm their selection with the select button. The items on the indicators includes a standard-issue pistol for every character, two character-specific weapons, a turbo fire power-up that increases the number of bullets on-screen, and a rolling attack that keeps the character invulnerable to enemy fire while in mid-air.
The player can pause the game and go to a sub-menu where they can change their current character. At the sub-menu, the player can assign another character to a second player or call forth a computer-controlled partner. The player can assign from one of six possible strategies to their partner ranging between defensive and offensive. The partner character will then appear for five seconds to assist the player before disappearing. When the partner is gone, the player can summon him again from the sub-menu. Each character has only three lives. If a single player loses all of their lives as one character, the game will end. The player can use the sub-menu to switch to another character that still has extra lives before that happens. In the 2-player mode, if one player loses all of their lives, they can be assigned another character, but the character that lost all of his lives will become unusable. Unlimited chances to continue are provided.
and covered in Japanese game magazines, but was never released. The game's protagonists were identified in these previews as the "Independent Public Order Task Force Untouchable".
The American release of Contra Force was first announced in 1991 and was planned to be the third console installment of the series, which is why the working title of Contra III: The Alien Wars
was "Super Contra IV".
. The player select theme from Contra Force was also reused in Contra ReBirth
.
Konami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
for the Nintendo Entertainment System
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
in in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
only. It is a spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
of the Contra series and the third game in the series released for the NES (following the home versions of the original Contra and Super C
Super Contra
is a Run and Gun-style action game produced by Konami, originally released as a coin-operated arcade game in . It is the sequel to the original Contra and the second game in the Contra series released for the arcades. Like in the original game, the game centers on soldiers Bill Rizer and Lance...
). In contrast to previous Contra titles, which featured sci-fi elements, Contra Force centers around a modern task force who must fight human terrorists instead. The game was originally scheduled to be released as an unrelated game in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
titled . The Japanese version was canceled and instead Konami localized the game for a North American release as a Contra spinoff.
Plot
Set in the fictional metropolis of Neocity in 1992, Contra Force centers around a group of special forces operatives led by a man named Burns, who are tasked to put down a crime syndicate known as D.N.M.E. Burns receives a phone call from Fox, an informant, telling him that the Head of Intelligence is being threatened. Burns arranges a meeting with his informant to learn more about the situation. However, when Burns arrives at the Harbor to meet with Fox, he find out that Fox has been murdered and is suddenly attacked by D.N.M.E. Now it is up to Burns and his squad to clear Neocity of the terrorists.Gameplay
Contra Force begins with the player being asked to choose between one of four characters. In addition to Burns, the team's leader, the player can also choose between Iron, a heavy weapons expert; Smith, a sharpshooter; and Beans, a demolitions expert. Each character differ from each other, not just in what weapons they wield, but also in their speed and jumping ability.The game consists of five stages: the odd-numbered stages (1, 3, and 5) are played from the standard side-view perspective, while the even-numbered stages (2 and 4) are played from an overhead perspective (similar to the ones in Super Contra and Operation C
Operation C
Operation C, released as in Japan and as Probotector in the PAL region, is a 1991 run and gun game by Konami released for the Game Boy...
). The objective is as simple as fighting as getting to the end of each stage, fighting every enemy who gets in the way, before confronting the boss
Boss (video games)
A boss is an enemy-based challenge which is found in video games. A fight with a boss character is commonly referred to as a boss battle or boss fight...
awaiting at the end.
The controls are similar to previous Contra games. At the side-view stages the player can walk left or right, as well as crouch and jump, whereas in the top-view stages the player can move in eight directions (but cannot jump nor crouch). Shooting is possible at any of the eight directions depending on the context. Instead of the instant power-ups from previous Contra games, the player has a power selection meter similar to the Gradius
Gradius
The Gradius games, first introduced in 1985, make up a series of scrolling shooter video games published by Konami for a variety of portable, console and arcade platforms. In many games in the series, the player controls a ship known as the Vic Viper...
series which shows what power-ups the player can obtain. The player must pick up briefcase-shaped power-ups, which are hidden within the destroyable environment of each stage, to move the cursor on the indicator by one increment. When the cursor is on the power-up the player wants to obtain, the player can confirm their selection with the select button. The items on the indicators includes a standard-issue pistol for every character, two character-specific weapons, a turbo fire power-up that increases the number of bullets on-screen, and a rolling attack that keeps the character invulnerable to enemy fire while in mid-air.
The player can pause the game and go to a sub-menu where they can change their current character. At the sub-menu, the player can assign another character to a second player or call forth a computer-controlled partner. The player can assign from one of six possible strategies to their partner ranging between defensive and offensive. The partner character will then appear for five seconds to assist the player before disappearing. When the partner is gone, the player can summon him again from the sub-menu. Each character has only three lives. If a single player loses all of their lives as one character, the game will end. The player can use the sub-menu to switch to another character that still has extra lives before that happens. In the 2-player mode, if one player loses all of their lives, they can be assigned another character, but the character that lost all of his lives will become unusable. Unlimited chances to continue are provided.
Development
Contra Force was originally announced for Japanese release under the title of , with no ties to the Contra series. Arc Hound was promoted in a brochure that was included in the Family Computer game Crisis ForceCrisis Force
Crisis Force is an overhead shoot 'em up video game published by Konami for the Family Computer in Japan. This game features two player simultaneous play, similar to Life Force. It also has the ability to switch among three different ship configurations during play...
and covered in Japanese game magazines, but was never released. The game's protagonists were identified in these previews as the "Independent Public Order Task Force Untouchable".
The American release of Contra Force was first announced in 1991 and was planned to be the third console installment of the series, which is why the working title of Contra III: The Alien Wars
Contra III: The Alien Wars
Contra III: The Alien Wars, released in Japan as and in the PAL region as Super Probotector: Alien Rebels, is a run and gun game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System produced by Konami...
was "Super Contra IV".
Connection to other games
Although Contra Force was not originally planned as a Contra game, it has been referenced in other games in the series. The name of the first stage in Contra III: The Alien Wars, originally known as the in the Japanese version (Contra Spirits), is listed as the "Streets of Neo City" in the instruction manual of the North American version. "Neo City" is also mentioned by name as the Sound Test title of the Stage 7 theme in the American-developed game Contra 4Contra 4
Contra 4 is a 2D action game for the Nintendo DS and the eleventh original installment in the Contra series. The game was released in North America on November 13, 2007...
. The player select theme from Contra Force was also reused in Contra ReBirth
Contra ReBirth
is a 2D run and gun video game developed by M2 and published by Konami for WiiWare. It is the twelfth original installment in the Contra series. It was released in Japan on May 12, 2009, PAL Regions on September 4, 2009 and North America on September 7, 2009....
.