Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Contra III: The Alien Wars stays true to its side‐scrolling shooter roots while introducing new mechanics that invigorate the run‐and‐gun formula. Players control Jimbo or Sully (or both in two‐player mode), blasting through wave after wave of alien grunts and mechanical monstrosities. The ability to carry two weapons simultaneously—up from one in previous entries—lets you mix and match rapid‐fire, spread, homing, and laser weapons to suit your play style.

Vertical aiming in eight directions adds a strategic layer to firefights. Rather than simply firing left or right, you can pepper foes above and below with precision, which is indispensable on stages where enemies appear from every angle. Wall climbing and pole‐grappling segments break up the relentless forward momentum, demanding moment-to-moment adaptability when navigating tight corridors or scaling treacherous platforms.

Vehicles and environmental destruction further diversify the action. Tank sections let you pulverize enemy fortifications with a mounted cannon, while certain background elements crumble under your weapons fire, sometimes revealing hidden power‐ups or new pathways. The occasional overhead, top‐down missions shift the pace entirely—here you’re tasked with locating mission-critical items or objectives, providing a welcome change of scenery and objective‐driven gameplay.

Difficulty remains high, as is tradition for the franchise. Lives are precious, enemy bullet patterns are relentless, and boss encounters often feel like intricate bullet‐hell puzzles. However, the checkpoint system is forgiving enough that patient players can learn from their mistakes and gradually master each stage’s hazards.

Graphics

On the Super Nintendo, Contra III showcases some of the console’s best sprite work and parallax scrolling. Character and enemy sprites are well‐animated, with smooth walk and climb cycles that bring Jimbo and Sully’s movements to life. Alien creatures and mechanical bosses boast a surprising amount of detail, stretching the SNES palette to its limits.

Backgrounds range from ruined cityscapes to alien fortresses, each laden with atmospheric touches—smoke plumes, flickering neon signs, and crumbling architecture. Parallax layers move at different speeds, creating an immersive sense of depth during high-octane gun battles. Even the overhead stages maintain visual clarity, with distinct terrain tiles that guide you toward mission objectives.

Explosion and weapon effects feel weighty and impactful. The spread gun’s expansive shockwave, the laser’s straight‐line precision, and the homing missiles’ fiery bursts all pop against darker, more foreboding backdrops. Destructible scenery occasionally reveals breakable floors or hidden alcoves, rewarding inquisitive players who blast every corner of the stage.

Despite its age, the game’s color palette remains vibrant and readable. Enemies stand out clearly from the foreground, preventing frustration when bullets fly in every direction. Overall, Contra III demonstrates how smart art direction and technical savvy can elevate a 16-bit shooter to near‐timeless status.

Story

The narrative premise is straightforward but effective: the dreaded Red Falcon, thought vanquished long ago by legend-ary commandos Mad Dog and Scorpion, has returned hungrier and more malevolent than ever. His interstellar armies march across Earth’s devastated cities, intent on eradicating humanity like a colony of cosmic parasites.

Enter new heroes Jimbo and Sully, stand-in aliases for Mad Dog and Scorpion, who charge into the fray with unyielding resolve. While story beats are sparse—typical for mid-’90s action titles—they’re conveyed through brief cutscenes and stage introductions, keeping the focus firmly on the action. Still, the looming threat of total annihilation and the urgency to reclaim Earth’s surface give the proceedings a satisfying weight.

Boss encounters often double as story milestones. From towering bio‐mechs to city‐sized alien war machines, each confrontation feels like a chapter in a larger campaign to dismantle Red Falcon’s stronghold. These moments heighten the narrative stakes, turning each boss’s demise into tangible progress toward rescuing humanity.

While plot twists and character development take a back seat to blistering action, the core storyline—revenge, redemption, and survival—resonates enough to keep players invested. The minimal exposition allows you to jump straight into the chaos, capturing the series’ “just one more stage” allure.

Overall Experience

Contra III: The Alien Wars stands as a stellar example of 16-bit run-and-gun design. Its fast pacing, varied level structure, and punishing challenge create an adrenaline-fueled ride from start to finish. Whether you’re blasting through side-scrolling corridors, commandeering tanks, or hunting objectives from a bird’s-eye view, the game consistently keeps you on your toes.

The cooperative two-player mode elevates the experience further. Teaming up with a friend to coordinate weapon loadouts and cover each other’s blind spots turns near-impossible scenarios into thrilling triumphs. Shared lives and unlimited continues maintain the momentum without diluting the challenge.

Contra III’s learning curve may deter newcomers, but the reward of mastering each stage’s pattern-based encounters is immensely satisfying. Save‐point placement strikes a balance between fair progress and risk, encouraging careful play without punishing repeated mistakes too harshly.

Overall, Contra III: The Alien Wars delivers a relentless, visually impressive, and mechanically refined shooter experience. Its blend of traditional run-and-gun action with exploratory top-down sections and vehicular combat ensures that each play session feels fresh, making it a must-play for retro enthusiasts and action fans alike.

Retro Replay Score

8.2/10