Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

C: The Contra Adventure builds on the series’ action-packed DNA by combining multiple perspectives into a single title. Players navigate nine distinct levels—ranging from traditional side-scrolling stages like City Rescue and Alien Lair to overhead segments such as Canyon, and even fully three-dimensional missions in Village and Pyramid. This variety keeps the core shooting mechanics feeling fresh as you transition between viewpoints, forcing you to adjust your targeting and movement strategies on the fly.

The introduction of hit-points and memory-card saving adds a welcome layer of accessibility compared to earlier franchise entries. Rather than dying in a single hit, you can absorb a few hits before being sent back to a checkpoint. While purists might gripe about the loss of one-hit deaths, this system encourages exploration of branching paths and hidden power-ups without the frustration of constant restarts.

Weapon management remains a highlight: you can carry multiple weapons at once (laser, machine gun, and spread gun) and swap between them mid-combat. Each weapon type shines in different segments—spread gun excels in cramped side-scrolling tunnels, while the laser’s precision is invaluable during overhead and 3D firefights. The weightless level also offers a neat twist on aiming mechanics, as you float through corridors while returning fire at alien foes.

Graphics

Visually, C: The Contra Adventure is a mixed bag. The side-scrolling levels retain the crisp sprites of earlier 2D Contra titles, with smoothly animated enemies and bright, contrasting color palettes. These sections look and feel like a polished late-’90s console shooter, maintaining the series’ arcade heritage.

The overhead stages present a decent top-down viewpoint, though the pixel art can sometimes feel dated when compared to contemporaries that fully embraced polygonal environments. Enemies and terrain are clearly defined, but the lack of dynamic lighting and texture detail holds these segments back from feeling truly modern.

The 3D levels demonstrate the game’s ambition but also reveal its limitations. Character models are blocky, and texture seams occasionally break immersion. However, environmental variety—such as lush jungle foliage in Village or cavernous ruins in Pyramid—adds atmosphere. Frame rate dips can occur when many enemies or particle effects are on-screen, but these slowdowns rarely disrupt the flow of combat.

Story

C: The Contra Adventure picks up the narrative thread from Contra: Legacy of War, following Ray as the sole survivor of the Contra task force. This continuity rewards long-time fans, especially those who remember Ray’s origins in Contra: Hard Corps. The game’s plot is straightforward: an alien invasion threatens South American jungles, and it’s up to Ray to eradicate the extraterrestrial scourge.

While the story is serviceable, it remains minimalistic—cutscenes are brief, and character development is limited. The focus is squarely on action rather than deep narrative beats. That said, small nods to previous titles (hidden lore screens, familiar enemy designs) provide fans with a sense of continuity and reward careful exploration.

The dialogue is functional but not particularly memorable. NPC interactions and mission briefings convey just enough context to justify the next firefight, but the true draw is in watching Ray barrel through waves of alien grunts and bosses. If you’re seeking a rich, character-driven storyline, this isn’t Contra: The Adventure’s strongest suit; rather, it thrives as an adrenaline-fuelled romp.

Overall Experience

C: The Contra Adventure successfully injects fresh ideas into the long-running series while retaining the high-octane shooting action that fans love. Its level variety—shifting perspectives, weightlessness segments, and a mixture of environments—keeps each stage feeling unique. Though not all graphical elements hold up equally well, the core gameplay remains engaging throughout.

The game’s accessibility features, such as hit-points and memory-card saving, broaden its appeal, making it less punishing than its forebears. Weapon variety and strategic switching add depth without overcomplicating controls, striking a solid balance between challenge and approachability. The minimal story may leave narrative enthusiasts wanting more, but for players craving non-stop combat, that’s hardly a detriment.

In the end, Contra purists and newcomers alike will find something to appreciate—whether it’s reliving classic side-scrolling shootouts or diving into experimental 3D corridors. C: The Contra Adventure stands as a worthy sequel that honors the franchise’s legacy while offering enough new twists to feel contemporary. If you’ve ever wanted to lead Ray through a gauntlet of alien hordes across multiple gameplay styles, this title delivers on that promise.

Retro Replay Score

5.4/10