Contra 4 announced for Nintendo DS, available 2007
by Christopher Grant 
{ Jun 20th 2007 at 10:58AM }
Contra 4 (just a working title, folks) is being developed by California's WayForward Technologies (they brought you classics such as Ping Pals and SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab) and will be available in 2007.
KONAMI ANNOUNCES CONTRA 4 FOR NINTENDO DS™
Explosive Action Series Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Unique Dual Screen Presentation, New Gameplay Elements and Cooperative Multiplayer Mayhem
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – June 20, 2007 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced Contra 4 (working title) for the Nintendo DS™. Marking the 20th anniversary of the quintessential action franchise, the game pushes 2D side-scrolling action in an all-new direction with gunplay that spans two full screens, original gameplay mechanics that grant players deadlier abilities than ever before, and frantic multiplayer functionality.
Contra 4 takes place two years after the events of Contra III: The Alien Wars. After saving earth from invasion by Red Falcon, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean are confronted with a new extraterrestrial menace: the terrifying Black Viper. Joined by hard-boiled mercenaries Mad Dog and Scorpion, the warriors must once again wage war against an entire army of invaders.
Refining the 2D side-scrolling genre the series established 20 years ago, Contra 4 delivers pure action at a fever pitch as players jump, shoot, and dodge oncoming hazards. Utilizing a new dual screen presentation, the action spans both screens of the Nintendo DS, giving players the opportunity to battle across expansive environments in which death can come from any direction. The use of both screens for the game's core action also allows for massive boss battles as players try to seek and destroy the weak points of sky-high enemies. A first for the series, Contra 4 introduces a grappling hook accessory that lets players grab onto elements of the environment directly above them. Whether using it to avoid oncoming dangers or attack from a strategic vantage point, the grappling hook allows for new combat situations and dramatic set pieces that underscore the game's adrenaline-soaked pedigree.
Continuing the multiplayer tradition of previous games in the series, Contra 4 lets two players battle together against Black Viper's army of vile alien forces and reclaim Earth for mankind.
Developed by WayForward Technologies, Contra 4 is planned for release on the Nintendo DS in 2007. For more information on the game and the Contra franchise, please visit: www.konami.com .
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
whosmav @ Jun 20th 2007 11:04AM
Suhweet
Jerk Face @ Jun 20th 2007 11:08AM
Yeah, really. That is f*cking awesome.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 20th 2007 11:12AM
The name Contra 4 is just fine...
Tim UF @ Jun 20th 2007 11:12AM
Yea! I'll pick this up on release day!
Theta @ Jun 20th 2007 11:12AM
I think my DS just purred...
Ding @ Jun 20th 2007 11:16AM
I think my pants just purred...
Fuzz @ Jun 20th 2007 11:16AM
Oh well ya! Prepare to eat some spread fire, alien scumbags!
Fuzz @ Jun 20th 2007 11:17AM
Uhmm . . . that was supposed to be "hell ya!"
Alex @ Jun 20th 2007 11:23AM
Nobody else is concerned that Konami isn't developing this inhouse?
Andy_J @ Jun 20th 2007 11:30AM
Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, B, A, select, start
Sorry, someone had to do it..
x876543 @ Jun 20th 2007 11:33AM
Bought!
Maratu @ Jun 20th 2007 11:39AM
YESH!
Gary @ Jun 20th 2007 11:37AM
Things don't look good:
http://www.wayforward.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=4&Itemid=96
:- (
NintendoFanbot @ Jun 20th 2007 11:37AM
I can't wait for Contrads.
jd @ Jun 20th 2007 11:39AM
Wow! The sequel to an effin awesome SNES game is finally being made... By a company with a track record that screams craptacular. Great... How can any of you think this is good news for the Contra series? Konami should have ponied up and paid Treasure to do a good 2D Contra... Damn, I got all excited and depressed in the same article.
Jonathan Tran @ Jun 20th 2007 11:37AM
Hell, it's about time.
Crazylink @ Jun 20th 2007 11:40AM
Don't forget, Wayforward also made Sigma Star Saga. It has one of the best stories I've seen in a GBA game.
I wonder if we'll be able to use the stylus to shoot and d-pad to move(Advanced Wars DS Combat mode-ish)
J-son @ Jun 20th 2007 11:53AM
WayForward also brought us the excellent Justice League Heroes: The Flash for GBA. That game was a kickass side-scroller, so I only have high hopes for this new Contra. Bring on the Spreader action.
Nate P @ Jun 20th 2007 11:46AM
>>Gary
Don't worry, you can only do so much with shit, and most of those titles were shit to begin with. Throw a good game at anyone and it's bound to be at least decent.
Sarge @ Jun 20th 2007 11:52AM
And what, precisely, was wrong with Neo Contra? I enjoyed it, despite the fact that it was more like Mercs than it was a traditional Contra. And it was far more enjoyable than Shattered Soldier, which, while fun, was absurdly difficult (much, much more so than the original Contra games).
trent @ Jun 20th 2007 12:00PM
hurry! take my money!
GJM @ Jun 20th 2007 12:02PM
Yeah Andy, but now you have to TAP up up down down etc.... Anyways - Can't wait!
babycarlitos @ Jun 20th 2007 12:11PM
sad sad... this game will make them or break them... if the game succeeded then they'll gain respect
so is going to be interesting ...
Rubang B @ Jun 20th 2007 12:11PM
So it's basically Contra III (best game ever) + Bionic Commando + DS Wi-Fi + my wet dreams all rolled into one! This totally made my day after more "You might not get Katamari news."
And I won't be playing this on a Noble Pink DS Lite, but I'll play it on my Japanese import Candy Pink DS Phat, thanks.
Shadow Hog @ Jun 20th 2007 12:12PM
Yay, Contra 4! That totally hasn't already happened in the form of Contra: Hard Corps for the Sega Genesis, no sirree!
Though, snarky comments aside, this is still good news. :)
megaStryke @ Jun 20th 2007 12:14PM
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a new entry into the "classic" Contra timeline. For all the licensed crap WayForward has done, these guys made the greatest Game Boy Color game ever, Shantae.
BPM @ Jun 20th 2007 12:16PM
OMFG YES
While it's true that WayForward has had to make a lot of licensed shovelware, but they've made a couple of original gems (Sigma Star Saga for GBA and Shantae for GBC, two of the greatest games noone played).
FermitTheKrog @ Jun 20th 2007 12:22PM
Contra and The Magic of Pegasus
Rated E
Mohan @ Jun 20th 2007 3:43PM
Sweet, this one will be a definite buy.
Matt B @ Jun 20th 2007 1:28PM
Contra: Saving Hannah Montana
Rocketdarkness @ Jun 20th 2007 2:50PM
@MattB
Hey! Get back to work, Bozon!
hydralisk456 @ Jun 20th 2007 2:51PM
OMFG!!!! DS = KIDDY!!!! THIS GAME IS SUXXORZ!!(/sarcasm)
Seriously, this is great news, another Contra game that will totally kick my ass!
Abscissa @ Jun 20th 2007 4:01PM
Damnit, now this pisses me off. Us old-school gamers that like to play **ON AN ACTUAL TV** are just getting shit on over and over. First there were about 5 Castlevanias, then New Mario, and now Contra. I've gotten really fucking tired of having to squint just so I can play the latest GOOD game in the classic franchises.
And now a chant:
I'M AND OLD-SCHOOL GAMER, AND I HATE PLAYING ON PORTABLE SCREENS!!!
...As if anyone would actually bother to listen...
Also: Neo Contra is a good game. People would realize that if it weren't for their ignorant knee-jerk reactions to an overhead camera and lack of jump. Ever hear of Ikari Warriors? Ever hear of Heavy Barrel? Ever hear of Mercs? Shit. Some people...
Anticrawl @ Jun 20th 2007 4:16PM
Handheld gaming is nearly as old as "successful" gaming on the television, you're a retard dude, and OLD-SCHOOL RETARD as you would say.
Abscissa @ Jun 20th 2007 5:23PM
"34. Handheld gaming is nearly as old as "successful" gaming on the television, you're a retard dude, and OLD-SCHOOL RETARD as you would say." - Anticrawl
If you think I was implying that ALL old-school gamers dislike portables, then you've completely misread my post.
Obviously some old school gamers like portables and other old school gamers like non-portables. Clearly, it's the old-school gamers that like non-portables that are getting shit on. I'm obviously one of the old school gamers who likes non-portables. "You're a retard dude", as you would say.
Rare Hare @ Jun 20th 2007 5:37PM
@ Abscissa (#33):
I'm personally thankful that these old franchises are able to live on through portable platforms. Do you honestly believe that you would ever see a 2D Contra sequel on the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3?
The reason I own a DS instead of a PSP is that I use my portable systems to play games I would not otherwise even purchase for a current home console. So I play Mario Kart, Brain Age, and soon Contra 4 on my DS.
And as for having to "squint" to play games on a hand held system, that's either a complete exaggeration or you need to get your eyes checked. I have 20/25 vision in one eye and 20/40 in the other and I've never had any problem at all playing hand held games.
Instead of getting pissed off about it, how about you just accept the fact that the industry has moved on, and be grateful that you can still enjoy the types of game you love on a Game Boy or DS. "Shit. Some People..."
serotoninzero @ Jun 20th 2007 5:49PM
Awesome.
Michael C. @ Jun 20th 2007 8:19PM
Black Viper isn't new. He was featured in the lovely Operation C for the old school Gameboy.
Jeff S. @ Jun 20th 2007 9:29PM
First off, Neo Contra is not a bad Contra game. Just because its strictly birds-eye view has nothing to do with the gameplay. Its awesome, and I would say its more "Contra" than Shattered Soldier was "Contra".
Also, Hard Corps was pretty much a direct Sequal to Contra 3. This "4" is just a ploy to pull in casual gamers who did not relise that there have been like 5 or 6 Contra games since 3.
Zantac @ Jun 20th 2007 10:36PM
I have complete faith in WayForward. Honestly, my only problem is that I HATE Contra III. Give me Super C any day of the week. But, hey, it's Contra, so it's all good.
Abscissa @ Jun 21st 2007 7:13PM
@# 36. Rare Hare:
"Do you honestly believe that you would ever see a 2D Contra sequel on the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3?"
No, and that's what annoys me: knowing that they're not willing to even though the systems are perfectly capable of handling it. (I'll overlook the fact you left out PS2/Wii/GC ;) I realize 360 and PS3 were just used as examples.)
"The reason I own a DS instead of a PSP is that I use my portable systems to play games I would not otherwise even purchase for a current home console. So I play Mario Kart, Brain Age, and soon Contra 4 on my DS."
Same here. In fact, that's the only reason I ever get portable systems: because some games only come out on the portables. But, that doesn't mean I don't resent having to buy that extra system to play games that could work perfectly fine on my TV system on a tiny little screen instead.
"And as for having to "squint" to play games on a hand held system, that's either a complete exaggeration..."
Sure it's an exaggeration. But the point is, which is nicer: a 3" (forgive me, I don't know the exact specs) screen or a 30" screen? I never game on the go, so I'd like to at least have the option to play on the nicer screen.
"I'm personally thankful that these old franchises are able to live on through portable platforms...how about you just accept the fact that the industry has moved on, and be grateful that you can still enjoy the types of game you love on a Game Boy or DS."
Socially-enforced blind complacency is another thing that annoys me. Go read 1984 or Brave New World and maybe you'll see why "Be happy with what those with power allow you to have" is a dumb philosophy.
Let me put it this way: Would you be happy with half of the music you own being playable *only* on your portable music player, with no way to get it to play through your home stereo's speakers? (Obviously, though, I can understand certain TV-console games not being available on portables - in that case there are actual technical limitations in the way.)