Just a few days ago, Wayforward and Konami released a demo for the upcoming Contra Operation Galuga: a reimagining of the run-and-gun 2D shooter I grew up on and a new game in a series I thought was long dead.
Is Contra back? I believe so, but read on, and let me tell you why I feel the way I do.
Contra and I Have a History
Konami’s Contra series has been part of my gaming history for as long as I’ve played video games. I’ve played every Contra game across multiple platforms: arcade machines, NES, Super NES, Gameboy Sega Genesis, and PlayStation 2. Yet, for the past few years, it was increasingly apparent that Konami was less about reinventing its video games and more about collections, some of which were terrible. I had given up hope of seeing another Contra game that wasn’t a badly conceived mobile game (Contra Returns).
But then, in 2023, something changed when Wayforward and Konami announced they would release a new Contra game, Contra Operation Galuga, and I felt both happy and suspicious at the same time. Konami has disappointed me so often over the years that I wasn’t sure what to expect. Yet, Wayforward was also attached, and I love them as a developer. This new game would serve as a reimagining of the Arcade and NES versions of the original game and hopefully would be the start of a new Contra series. I could only imagine.
Fast forward to February 21, 2024, the Contra Operation Galuga demo was announced for the Nintendo Switch during the Nintendo Direct. I don’t play my Switch much, but thankfully, the demo was also available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, alongside the Switch version. Happily, but still suspicious, I downloaded the game onto my PC and Switch, checked my expectations, and fired up the game.
What’s Old is New Again
As I’ve mentioned a few times, Contra Operation Galuga is a reimagining of the original Contra game that has graced many platforms. To that extent, this is very apparent. The demo only gives access to one level, but it’s very substantial and replayable.
This level combines elements from Contra’s first and third levels, making a few changes while remaining faithful to the original game. The first and second-level bosses return but are combined, making a new experience reminiscent of the nearly four-decade-old game.
After defeating the boss, the game instantly transitions to the third level of Contra, a vertical stretch to the top again with some changes, but still very faithful to the original game. Now, players can use the walls to climb upward, which wasn’t available previously.
Finally reaching the top, the third-level boss from Contra appears, sporting familiar looks but still much more impressive. The attack patterns are different and more difficult, with lots more happening on the screen. But the underlying boss from OG Contra is very much there.
Upon defeating the boss, the demo ends, but in doing so, my suspicions about the game being a cash grab dissolved. This is a damned good reimagining of the Contra game, and now I want nothing more than for the game to be released. Thanks to Wayforward and Konami, the pairing has done what I felt was impossible and has created a Contra title that fans who grew up on the series and those who will play it for the first time will enjoy. At least, that’s the impression the demo left on me.
Contra Operation Galuga Brings New Modes
While the previous Contra games only had a single mode that was pretty much the arcade mode with some story elements tossed in, Contra Operation Galuga has two: Arcade Mode and Story Mode. The full game will include more modes than what is available in the demo. Upon selecting the Story Mode, I was treated to an in-game intro and brought up to speed on what was happening and how to play the game throughout the demo. Meanwhile, the arcade mode dumped me into the thick of the action.
Interestingly, while the Story Mode had a tutorial, the Arcade Mode didn’t. Given that this was just a demo, I get it. But this better be in both modes, especially for new players.
There are some differences in how the game handles health as well, with the 1-hit death returning, but there’s also a health system now, which I prefer. And depending on which perks you select, which I talk about below, you can increase your chances of survival.
Hmm, Upgrades
The level designs aren’t the only things that have changed. Familiar faces Bill Rizer and Lance Bean have returned and are just as buff as they were in the opening of the arcade opening of Super Contra. However, they aren’t the only available characters, as there’s a new playable female character called Galuga Ariana and two robotic characters called Probotector, which happens to be the name of the Contra series in Europe and Japan.
Like another Contra title, Contra: Hard Corps, exclusive to the Sega Genesis/Sega Megadrive, the demo provided access to all five characters in Story Mode or just Lance and Bill in Arcade Mode. Each character also has something specific about them that changes the gameplay; Bill and Lance can perform a double jump and horizontal dash, Galuga forgoes the dash for a faster slide, and the Probotector can hover.
Moreover, each character can select two perks from a pool or several, ranging from adding extra health, providing an extra life, and not losing weapons when you die, among other upgrades.
Unlike the prior Contra games, four players can also play simultaneously via couch coop, yet I couldn’t test that out as no one in my household wants to play with me. Something about playing games with me is too hard. Cowards.
While the original Contra only let you have one special weapon at a time, this version let’s you carry two of them, similar to Contra III: Alienwars and Contra: Hard Corps. All your favorite special weapons have returned, and a few were featured in other Contra games: Spread, Lazer, Machine Gun, Cluster, Flamethrower, and Homing Shot. Each weapon can be powered up by picking up another version of the same weapon, which is nice to have.
The weapons can do more than shoot, as you have the option to sacrifice a weapon that will provide you with means of mass destruction, called Overload. The spread gun can deploy multiple spread shots that will the screen, the laser can slow things down, the homing shot can deploy drones that will attack anything in their way, for example. This adds a layer of strategy as you can use the new abilities, pick up a different weapon, or vice versa. There’s no limit to how many times you can do this, just as long as you have a special weapon handy.
Controls Maketh Man
Of course, you can’t have a Contra game without responsive controls, and I have zero complaints in this department. I felt the controls were great on the PC version, though I noticed some lag when I first played the Switch version. There’s also an option to use the 8-way or a 360-degree first, which I prefer. The ability to hold down an aim button for better precision is also back.
I’ve played the demo at least 10 times now, and the only times I took a hit, outside of too much stuff happening on the final demo boss, was because I did something silly. The controls are fine.
Is Contra Back? I Think So
This is a damned long preview of a demo, no less. Yet, this demo was enough to convey what we can expect in the full game. It’s been quite some time since we got a worthwhile Contra game, and while Contra Operation Galuga is a modern-era Contra title, the DNA of the prior games is apparent. It controls well, there are plenty of options for new and veteran players, the level design, at least for the first level, is well done, and I have no complaints outside of the visuals. There’s nothing wrong with them; they do a great job conveying the action. I’m just not a big fan of them.
I’m ready for the game to be released, a complete 180 from when the game was first announced. Maybe it’s the nostalgia or because I feel this will be another fun Contra game. Either way, I’m ready.
The Contra Operation Galuga demo is available to download for all platforms, if you want to check it out for yourself.
Contra Operation Galuga will be released on March 12, 2024, on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC (Steam).
