Joystiq impressions: Contra 4 (DS)
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Jul 14th 2007 at 5:49PM }
Those worried that the Nintendo DS would not provide the hardware capable of offering a decent looking Contra can rest their fears: the sprites are fairly impressive, with a good amount of detail and animation. The game's action takes place over both the top and bottom screens on the DS, but it seems like interaction with the top screen is fairly minimal at this point. That's a good thing: if too many things were firing from the top, the player would certainly be at a serious disadvantage. The game promises a lot of vertical platforming, which certainly sounds exciting to us. The new grappling hook helps players get to higher areas faster ... but didn't seem too consequential to gameplay. Maybe they can take a few pages from Bionic Commando?
The legions of Contra fans have a lot to be excited about, but for everyone else, there isn't much new to appreciate about this DS-exclusive sequel. We're sure that it'll be a good game, but without any noteworthy gameplay additions, we can't say that we're too heavily excited for it.
Gallery: Contra 4
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kye @ Jul 14th 2007 5:54PM
Spread gun FTW!
Dante @ Jul 14th 2007 6:01PM
It's Contra in its purest form. What the hell else do you want?!
unosturgis @ Jul 14th 2007 6:11PM
"without any noteworthy gameplay additions" ..like blowing on the mic and having it clear the screen or touch screen minigames like whack-a-contra? Maybe they can make a waggle add-on for the ds!
Crushed @ Jul 14th 2007 6:26PM
Joystiq, maybe you should drop the monocle and smugness. Seriously, it's a new CONTRA GAME, yet you're talking like some kind of condescending professor towards its gameplay.
Amos @ Jul 14th 2007 6:24PM
Why the hell would I be worried the DS couldn't provide decent hardware for graphics for a series from the NES and SNES? That's just ignorant. The DS is just sub-64 level. A well done 2d game ought to look amazing.
Megaqwerty @ Jul 14th 2007 6:46PM
I was thinking the same thing: the last real Contra was for SNES, and that's not exactly a powerhouse compared to the DS.
lastdual @ Jul 14th 2007 6:28PM
It's Contra. It's not supposed to be Bionic Commando. I for one am glad they didn't try to add any big "innovations", as we've had enough failed attempts at reimagining Contra already. Classic gameplay with slickly updated sprites and Virt doing the soundtrack = win.
It's not like they've been pumping out Contras out as they've done every year with Castlevania (not that I wouldn't like more of those as well :).
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 14th 2007 6:29PM
Contra in a pure form is in 2D... I dont know why I need to be worried of the DS hardware capabilities.
Maybe the Joystiq poster havent played Contra for the Super Nintendo or Nes, and believe that a good game of Contra should be like Neo Contra. Noob.
jay @ Jul 14th 2007 6:45PM
Read his bio, he's a self proclaimed Sony fanboy. He even claimed that Castlevania's DS offerings were "somewhat visually underwhelming".
My L and O keys would have worn out by the time I was done expressing my real life laugh at that kind of comment.
We need the ability to rate authors here too. Sometimes they say the darnest things.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 14th 2007 6:50PM
Yes, he is a noob... is new in the gaming world.
Fatass of Kickassness @ Jul 14th 2007 9:11PM
Wait, he said WHAT!?!
Hahahahaha, I'm only 16 and yet I can say for sure that the DS Castlevania games look better than _each and every_ Castlevania game released before them.
I lol'd.
Captain Awesome @ Jul 14th 2007 7:19PM
I'm glad that they didn't try to integrate the grappling hook into the gameplay too much, all it needs to be is a way to go from screen to screen.
hippiecrite @ Jul 14th 2007 8:52PM
This game looks great. There is nothing wrong with the classic Contra style. I can't wait for it to release.
Rare Hare @ Jul 14th 2007 11:42PM
I'm really excited for this game. All I ever play on my DS is Mario Kart.
If I could only find a good RPG for my DS I'd be set.
Puglife @ Jul 15th 2007 1:09AM
It really comes off as bogus when you're complaining about the lack of gameplay innovation in a new Contra title, especially when everyone else is rejoicing about how it's so much like the older games.
If you don't know what this kind of game is all about by now, then I don't know why you're writing for a videogame blog.
TWiNKiE @ Jul 15th 2007 12:10PM
I HAVE to get this game. Nothing but pure awesomeness came out of Contra III: Alien Wars. Hopefully, I would be able to say the same thing about Contra 4.
jm @ Jul 15th 2007 2:48PM
they better throw in the ol' code in there, otherwise its just not contra.
Matters @ Jul 16th 2007 1:25AM
"for better or worse, a new Contra game."
Uhhh for better, obviously.
"Those worried that the Nintendo DS would not provide the hardware capable of offering a decent looking Contra"
What the fuck? Who was worried about that??!! Sony fanboys? People who haven't played either of the Castlevania games on the DS?
spamulike05 @ Jul 16th 2007 7:59AM
"we can't say that we're too heavily excited for it."
Oi! Stop trying to spread the blame! If you are going to write things like this article about Contra then at least say: "I can't say that I'M too heavily excited for it."
People with actual good taste in games can't wait!