Contra 4
{{Short description|2007 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Contra 4
| image = Contra 4 Coverart.png
| caption = North American boxart
| developer = WayForward Technologies
| publisher = Konami
| director = Matt Bozon
| producer = William Oertel
Christopher Watson
| designer = Michael Herbster
Michael Pace
| programmer = Robert Koshak
| artist = Henk Nieborg
Benjamin Badgett
| writer = Cole Phillips
| composer = Jake Kaufman
| series = Contra
| released = Nintendo DS
{{vgrelease|NA|November 13, 2007|JP|March 13, 2008}}Mobile phone
November 19, 2007
Windows Mobile
August 4, 2009
Android
January 8, 2011
| genre = Run and gun
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = Nintendo DS, mobile phone, Windows Mobile, Android
}}
Contra 4{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|Contra Dual Spirits|魂斗羅 Dual Spirits||lead=yes}}}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hzk/kommander/index.html |title=Game Kommander |language=ja |website=Game Kommander |access-date=December 12, 2007 |archive-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701010609/http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hzk/kommander/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.konami.jp/products/contra_ds/ |title=魂斗羅 Dual Spirits |language=ja |website=Konami |access-date=April 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608153559/http://www.konami.jp/products/contra_ds/ |archive-date=June 8, 2008 |url-status=dead}} is a run and gun video game developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Konami for the Nintendo DS. It is the eleventh overall installment of the Contra series, and was released in North America on November 13, 2007.{{cite web |author=Michael McWhertor |date=October 4, 2007 |url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/hell-yes/contra-4-dated-and-box-arted-307267.php |title=Hell Yes: Contra 4 Dated And Box Arted |website=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |access-date=October 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229171131/http://kotaku.com/gaming/hell-yes/contra-4-dated-and-box-arted-307267.php |archive-date=December 29, 2007 |url-status=dead}} A mobile port was released six days later on November 19, 2007.{{cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |date=November 19, 2007 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/20/contra-4-mobile-review |title=Contra 4 Mobile Review |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=September 28, 2015 |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710040608/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/20/contra-4-mobile-review |url-status=live }} A rerelease, called Contra 4: Redux, was released for Android in 2011.
Contra 4 serves as a direct sequel to 1992's Contra III: The Alien Wars for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the franchise.{{cite web |date=June 20, 2007 |url=https://static.fixya.com/Manuals/K/Konami/Cntr_4_fr_DS_87A3CED14A732429B6F23C44A4D77512.pdf |title=KONAMI ANNOUNCES CONTRA 4 FOR NINTENDO DS™ |website=Konami |access-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410215212/https://static.fixya.com/Manuals/K/Konami/Cntr_4_fr_DS_87A3CED14A732429B6F23C44A4D77512.pdf |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |url-status=dead}} It was also the first original game in the series to be released on a portable console since 1991's Operation C for the Game Boy.
Contra 4 received positive critical reception upon release, with critics hailing it as a return to form for the franchise.
Plot
The plot is set two years after the events of Contra III: The Alien Wars and three years before the events of Contra: Hard Corps. Following the defeat of Red Falcon, a new entity called "Black Viper" begins launching attacks against the human race. Bill Rizer and Lance Bean are joined by Mad Dog and Scorpion as they travel to the fictional Galuga archipelago near New Zealand (the setting of the original arcade version of Contra{{cite book |author=Tatsuya Saijyou |author2=Yasufumi Sakuma |editor=Noboru Honda |editor2=Takeshi Matsumoto |editor3=Daisuke Yoshihara |editor4=Daisuke Kihara |title=The History of Contra |type=E-book |publisher=Konami |date=June 11, 2019 |page=37}}) on a "final" strike mission.{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_DS_Longplay-004-Contra_4 |title=Nintendo_DS_Longplay-004-Contra_4 |website=Internet Archive}}{{cite book |url=https://subhumanzoids.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/c4storycharacters1.jpg |title=Contra 4 - Instruction Booklet (Contra Story; How to Play) |publisher=Konami |year=2007 |pages=6–7 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418200607/https://subhumanzoids.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/c4storycharacters1.jpg |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |url-status=live}}
The game's producers took a number of liberties with the established canon. In the North American versions, Black Viper was originally the name of the main antagonist in Operation C, while "Mad Dog" and "Scorpion" were the codenames of Bill and Lance.{{cite web |url=https://www.thegameisafootarcade.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Operation-C-Game-Manual.pdf |title=Operation C |publisher=Konami |year=1991 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410224349/https://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Nintendo_Game_Boy//Manual/formated/Operation_C_-_1991_-_Ultra_Software.pdf |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |url-status=live}}
Gameplay
Contra 4 is based on the same 2D gameplay featured in the series through Contra III: The Alien Wars, ignoring many of the game mechanics introduced in later games, and returning to the old method of picking up power-up icons to obtain new weapons. The play controls are similar to Contra III, including the ability to hold two weapons in the player's inventory. The action spans both screens of the Nintendo DS system and a grappling hook can be used by the player's character to latch onto railings, allowing the player's character to move from one screen to the other. Similarly to the arcade version of Super Contra, the player can pick up the same power-up twice, giving them an improved version of the same weapon. The player can also discard a power-up, allowing them to try out a new weapon without losing a previous one.
In addition to the standard side view stages, there are also tunnel stages similar to the two "3D view" stages from the original Contra, in which the perspective shifts behind the character's back. The action in these stages is displayed solely on the upper screen, while the bottom screen is used to display the stage's map and the locations of power-ups. Other than using both screens, Contra 4 makes no usage of the DS' special features such as the touchscreen (besides navigating the main menu), microphone, or multiplayer modes.
=Arcade Mode=
Arcade Mode is the main portion of the game, which is composed of six standard stages and three tunnel stages, for a total of nine stages. The stages pay frequent homage to Contra, Super Contra (Super C on the NES), Operation C and Contra III: The Alien Wars. Three difficulty settings are available: Easy, Normal, and Hard. Easy is intended to be accessible to novices by providing the player with plenty of lives and credits, as well as making all power-ups upgraded by default, but does not give the player access to the final two stages nor the ending. Normal is a moderate setting described to be "as difficult as the original Contra", whereas Hard features faster-moving enemies and enemy fire, with fewer lives. Hard mode also features a different ending from Normal.
=Challenge Mode=
After completing the main game (Arcade Mode) once on any difficulty setting, a Challenge Mode will be made available in the main menu. This game mode is composed of forty different challenges in which the player must complete various tasks within the side-scrolling stages of Arcade Mode.
=Music=
The music and sound effects were handled by famed video game music remixer Jake Kaufman, who also composed for Shantae and founded the game music remix site VGMix. The soundtrack consists of a few arrangements of music from previous Contra games as well as new material. When Arcade Mode is played on the Hard setting, an arranged version of the Jungle theme from the original Contra is played instead of the standard stage music. The standard Jungle theme is actually an enhanced version of a "Contra style" chiptune song previously posted on Kaufman's website, called "Vile Red Falcon."{{cite magazine |title=Contra 4 (Preview) |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo of America |volume=218 |date=August 2007}}{{cite AV media |author=ReclusiveLemming |date=September 17, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e7piDXqqHE |title=Virt - Vile red falcon (contra) |website=YouTube |publisher=Google |access-date=September 16, 2018 }}
A soundtrack CD was announced by Konami to be bundled in the first print of the Japanese release of Contra: Dual Spirits, as a gift for preorders through the KonamiStyle shop. This deal was only available for Japanese residents. In addition to the music found in the game, a 4-minute live performance of the "Harbor" song is included as a bonus track. The song is performed by The Smash Bros, Jake Kaufman's video game tribute band.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 83/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/contra-4/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |title=Contra 4 for DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |access-date=January 31, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250304192754/https://www.metacritic.com/game/contra-4/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |url-status=live }}
| Destruct = 8/10{{cite web |author=Dyson |date=November 19, 2007 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-contra-4/ |title=Destructoid review: Contra 4 |website=Destructoid |publisher=Gamurs |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424000407/https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-contra-4/ |url-status=live }}
| EGM = 7.83/10{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=Contra 4 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=223 |date=Christmas 2007 |page=86}}
| EuroG = 6/10{{cite web |author=Mathew Kumar |date=January 10, 2008 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/contra-4-review |title=Contra 4 [US Import] |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424020447/https://www.eurogamer.net/contra-4-review |url-status=live }}
| Fam = 28/40{{cite magazine |author=James Higgenbotham |year=2008 |url=https://purenintendo.com/famitsu-review-scores-6/ |title=Famitsu Review Scores |magazine=Pure Nintendo Magazine |publisher=Pure Media, LLC |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424000407/https://purenintendo.com/famitsu-review-scores-6/ |url-status=live }}
| GI = 9.25/10{{cite magazine |author=Bryan Vore |url=http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/AB78F8FE-1643-4843-8CF1-C069E6A46F8C.htm |title=Contra 4 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=177 |date=January 2008 |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103214502/http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/AB78F8FE-1643-4843-8CF1-C069E6A46F8C.htm |archive-date=January 3, 2008 |url-status=dead}}
| GD = 8/10{{cite web |author=Robert Workman |date=November 15, 2007 |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/games/contra-4/ds/game-reviews/review/6460/1866/ |title=Contra 4 Review |website=GameDaily |publisher=AOL |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118103942/http://www.gamedaily.com/games/contra-4/ds/game-reviews/review/6460/1866/ |archive-date=November 18, 2007 |url-status=dead}}
| GamePro = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite magazine |author=Dave Rudden |date=November 27, 2007 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/150108.shtml |title=Review: Contra 4 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204183346/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/150108.shtml |archive-date=February 4, 2008 |url-status=dead}}
| GameRev = B+{{cite web |author=Brian Rowe |date=February 12, 2008 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/40014-contra-4-review |title=Contra 4 Review |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012031020/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/contra-4 |archive-date=October 12, 2015 |url-status=live}}
| GSpot = 8/10{{cite web |author=Alex Navarro |date=December 4, 2007 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/contra-4-review/1900-6183645/ |title=Contra 4 Review |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |access-date=June 26, 2016}}
| GSpy = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |author=Phil Theobald |date=November 21, 2007 |url=http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/contra-4/837036p1.html |title=GameSpy: Contra 4 |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424155530/http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/contra-4/837036p1.html |url-status=live }}
| GT = 8.8/10{{cite web |date=December 2, 2007 |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=5037 |title=Contra 4 Review |website=GameTrailers |publisher=Viacom |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516152403/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=5037 |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |url-status=dead}}
| IGN = 8/10{{cite web |author=Craig Harris |date=November 13, 2007 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/13/contra-4-review |title=Contra 4 Review |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=June 26, 2016 |archive-date=May 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519233028/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/13/contra-4-review |url-status=live }}
| NP = 8.5/10{{cite magazine |title=Contra 4 |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Future US |volume=222 |date=December 2007 |page=81}}
| rev1 = 411Mania
}}
The DS version received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of all four sevens for a total of 28 out of 40.
The game was hailed as a "rebirth" of the franchise, and was praised for returning to its roots. GameZone gave the game 8.9 out of 10, saying, "Contra 4 presents some of the best, most hardcore run-and-gun shooting action on the DS, and is a breath of fresh, alien-blood-scented air for the system, and gaming in general."{{cite web |author=Dylan Platt |date=December 7, 2007 |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/contra_4_nds_review/ |title=Contra 4 - NDS - Review |website=GameZone |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004154535/http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r32855.htm |archive-date=October 4, 2008 |url-status=live}} However, Edge gave it six out of ten, saying, "Is there any need, on vertically scrolling levels, for your character to die when they touch the bottom of the screen, despite the fact you know there are platforms there? Do bosses have to seem impossible, and then prove tedious when their patterns have been learned?"{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=Contra 4 |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future plc |issue=184 |date=January 2008 |page=89}}
The game had garnered multiple awards including IGN{{'}}s "Best Action Game" and "Best Revival" of 2007,{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2007/ds/1.html |title=IGN Best of 2007 (DS: Best Action Game) |website=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225185836/http://bestof.ign.com/2007/ds/1.html |archive-date=December 25, 2007 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2007/ds/21.html |title=IGN Best of 2007 (DS: Best Revival) |website=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225185941/http://bestof.ign.com/2007/ds/21.html |archive-date=December 25, 2007 |url-status=dead}} and GameSpy{{'}}s 7th best DS game of 2007.{{cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2007/ds/5.html |title=Game of the Year 2007: DS Top 10 (Page 5) |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228135054/http://goty.gamespy.com/2007/ds/5.html |archive-date=December 28, 2012 |url-status=dead}} In 2012, GamesRadar+ named it the 22nd best DS game of all time out of a list of 25.{{cite web |author=GamesRadar staff |date=September 15, 2012 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-ds-games/ |title=Best DS Games |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121202729/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-ds-games/ |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |url-status=dead}}
{{clear}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071105020211/http://www.konami-data.com/officialsites/contra4/ Official website] via Internet Archive
- {{moby game|id=/31210/contra-4/}}
{{Contra series}}
Category:Android (operating system) games
Category:Cooperative video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Video game interquels
Category:Video games developed in the United States
Category:Video games scored by Jake Kaufman