Contra spearheads Konami DS WiFi compilation
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Oct 24th 2006 at 1:25PM }
Konami is doing a good thing. Sure, we could write off this "new" DS-bound collection, Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits, as a cheap way to make an easy buck -- these nostalgia-driven releases scream impulse buy. But, this one's packing Contra, and Konami's promising Nintendo WiFi Connection support. Say, word?Twelve titles in all will be along for the ride, including Circus Charlie, Gradius, Roc'N Rope, Rush'N Attack, Time Pilot, Track and Field, and Yie-Ar Kung Fu. Aside from a traditional port, each game will be playable in a dual screen-tailored "remix" mode. In addition to wireless multiplayer, Arcade Hits will support online high scores and a replay feature allowing players to send highlight clips to friends.
Arcade Hits is scheduled for release in March 2007.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LunarDuality @ Oct 24th 2006 1:30PM
Not too surprising since they already had to write net code for the Xbox Live Arcade version that will be coming out soon.
Not surprising, but good for us.
kimo @ Oct 24th 2006 1:33PM
I am, like, sooo there!
crab battle @ Oct 24th 2006 1:35PM
Contra with wifi? That might be worth the price of admission alone
Scooby Doo @ Oct 24th 2006 1:47PM
Ah nostalgia... I think me and buddy Chad played through Contra's Co-Op mode something like 100 times. It would be so awesome to relive my glory days with a friend over the net.
FlamingMoe @ Oct 24th 2006 1:51PM
Sounds great. Honestly, I can't understand why nobody's made a classic top-down space shooter with co-op for the DS. The format is just so perfect.
Lectoid @ Oct 24th 2006 1:50PM
IGN had an article (http://ds.ign.com/articles/740/740892p1.html) a few days ago about this compilation stating this:
"Konami Classic Series: Arcade Hits will not only feature the original arcade games, but also unique DS remixed modes. The games will also support multiplayer using the Nintendo DS system's wireless capabilities, but no word on Download Play multiplayer.
Since Konami's currently big on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, what with both Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin and Winning Eleven supporting the network, we asked about possible online play. So far, it's a no."
Plus the above article states that they haven't made it clear, which usually means no. I mean if they can do it, they'd know by now. And why wouldn't they want to brag about it.
I hate to say it, but I don't think we'll see any type of 8-bit online multiplayer soon.
I don't get it, Xbox Live has Gauntlet and Smash TV for online multiplayer, why can't they do it to any other games?
DG @ Oct 24th 2006 2:03PM
This is great, and a way better deal than the Nintendo GBA "Classic Series" ripoffs.
Lectoid @ Oct 24th 2006 1:54PM
Also, what's Nintendo holding out for with the Virtual Console launch lineup? They could probably wait till the last minute to decide just by checking and unchecking boxes. I wonder if this recent burst of retro games has made them rethink their lineup. And this goes along with my above statement, I just don't think we'll see any retro games upgraded to online playability. I severely hope I am wrong though.
devi8i @ Oct 24th 2006 2:01PM
"Sure, we could write off this "new" DS-bound collection, Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits, as a cheap way to make an easy buck --"
Where are similar comments from Joystiq when talking about XBLArcade games?
White Rose Duelist @ Oct 24th 2006 2:11PM
FlamingMoe - Twinbee FTW!
Probot @ Oct 24th 2006 2:08PM
"But, this one's packing Contra, and Konami's promising Nintendo WiFi Connection support."
Where exactly are you reading this? It's not mentioned in the article you linked, and the IGN page Lectoid linked to was pretty clear that Konami hasn't announced anything about online play.
FSK405K @ Oct 24th 2006 2:17PM
Super C? Is that included? As much as I liked Contra, it was Super C that a friend of mine and I played for 2-3 hours EVERYDAY after school for about TWO YEARS.
32_Footsteps @ Oct 24th 2006 2:18PM
You know what would be priceless? If entering the Konami Code on the title screen unlocked a WiFi-enabled version of Street Fighter II. That would probably rank as the greatest easter egg of all time.
And a little love for TwinBee, Salamander/Life Force, and the like would be pretty sweet.
unimental @ Oct 24th 2006 2:23PM
Screw Contra... I can't wait to do some flying saucer abuse when I get my skeet shoot and javelin on in Track 'N Field! Oh wait... I'm already emulating this on the PSP. But two screens, wOOt!
Johan @ Oct 24th 2006 2:31PM
For all of you envisioning the NES version of Contra on this compilation, keep in mind that Konami is talking about the arcade Contra, which is somewhat different. The NES port was actually a significant step up and (in my opinion) more entertaining.
Probot @ Oct 24th 2006 3:31PM
32_Footsteps,
"You know what would be priceless? If entering the Konami Code on the title screen unlocked a WiFi-enabled version of Street Fighter II. That would probably rank as the greatest easter egg of all time."
That would be cool. Though I think Capcom would be more surprised than anyone else.
number40one @ Oct 24th 2006 3:51PM
muy awesome-o!
This'll be the first "retro-pack" title I've ever purchased.
...and they better keep the UUDDLRLRBABA or else I won't make it too far... Contra just ain't Contra to me without oodles of expendable lives...
Zixaphir @ Oct 24th 2006 3:53PM
Wireless does not mean... Wi-Fi...
It means two people in a room, each with a DS [lite] and each with their own copy of the game, or some form of download play.
32_Footsteps @ Oct 24th 2006 3:57PM
Probot - you know, if I hadn't been having such a long and lousy day, I would have caught that myself. I can't believe I made such a simple error.
Hmm... what would be a good choice for a game Konami could include in there... maybe the arcade TMNT games. I'd love to play wifi enabled versions of those.
Dave Silva @ Oct 24th 2006 4:42PM
Konami actually released an arcade game compilation on the GBA already - it had Frogger, Yie Ar Kung Fu, Rusn'N Attack, Time Pilot and Scramble. Entering the Konami code gave different results depending on the game. The port was not half bad, and I still love to play Time Pilot on that thing. And they're pretty faithful ports of the arcade versions, too. Not perfect but good enough.
Here's hoping they take the same approach on this compilation - make great ports of the games, not halfassed ones like other companies. :)
Zach L @ Oct 24th 2006 4:47PM
Wow, I must say that's fantastic. Contra for the arcade as well as the NES is one of my favorite games ever, and it owuld be sweet to hook up with people around the world to play co-op.
josh @ Oct 24th 2006 6:03PM
isn't the saying "Oh, word?"
Hart704 @ Oct 24th 2006 9:58PM
Portable Contra! Hell yes!
geves @ Oct 24th 2006 10:35PM
oh great! so now you can connect to someone on wifi. who DOESN'T wait for you on the waterfall level or the ever annoying energy level.
but also will steal your men! and you can't yell at them over wifi....grrrrr.
sounds nice on paper. but this is a type of game that you can ONLY play on wifi, with a real life freind. otherwise we'll all be testing the DS's durability.