Contra 4 for DS: Reminiscent of Simpler Gaming

Twenty years ago, Konami put out the smash hit, Contra. It was a two-dimensional, side-scrolling arcade game in which one or two players played through a series of levels, killing bad guys along the way. During each level, they could find new weapon upgrades and would have to face a boss at each level. Over the last two decades, several sequels have been released. Some were pretty good, and some were not. Contra 4 is the newest incarnation of this popular game. Has it stood the test of time?

Contra 4 uses the same plot and layout as its predecessors, for the most part. Players run through a series of nine levels, killing off members of an alien/terrorist coalition. Like the original Contra, this is a one-hit, one-kill game. If a bad guy touches or shoots you, its lights out. There are a plethora of weapons available in this game, including old favorites like the spread gun as well as some interesting new ones. Players can switch weapons on the fly, opting for different types of fire.

There are a few nice features about this game that really help it stand out. Players won't use the touch-screen, instead it'll just be the D-pad and three buttons for jumping, shooting and using the grappling hook. The game uses both screens, which is where that grappling hook comes in handy. There are also four different characters to choose from, two from the original Contra and two more from Super Contra. There is also a really nice Challenge Mode. This is a series of 40 different challenges which will unlock thing like new characters, older versions of games, and more.

The graphics are fairly old-school, but that's on purpose. Using 16-bit graphics gives this game a fun, nostalgic feel that older gamers will love. While the visuals aren't cutting edge by any means, they're eye-catching and fun. One great benefit of these low-key graphics is speed. You can load the screen up with everything you've got and still not notice and slowing down effects. The same holds true for the gunfire noise and music soundtrack. They're not awe-inspiring but the game was going for a retro feel, and that's exactly what they achieved.

This game does have a few features that detract from it. First of all, this game is incredibly tough. Even when you know the pattern to all the levels, this game is still a challenge on the easiest setting. I recommend starting on the easiest setting and working your way up. Bear in mind that the game will only let you play the first seven levels at this difficulty level. A worse problem lies in between the screens. Although you can't see anything in this area, there always seems to be something in there, shooting at you at the oddest angles. This is a big problem, especially with limited continues and the whole one-hit, one-kill thing.

You can however, play with a friend using the wireless play feature. There's no support for this aspect but it still works just fine. If you're looking for a cutting-edge shooter, you'll be better off with a different title. On the other hand, if you're looking to head back to a simpler time in gaming, Contra 4 is just what you need. This game has decent graphics and good sound, coupled with a lot of play time and challenges. I consider this a good gaming investment.