SNES Games I Love #4: Contra III: The Alien Wars

On 02/04/2020 at 07:44 AM by The Last Ninja

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Developer: Konami

Publisher: Konami

Genre: Run n' Gun

Release: 1992

Currently available on: Game Boy, GBA, Wii U VC, New 3DS VC, SNES Classic Edition, Contra Anniversary Collection

About the game: This fantastic run n' gun was released exlcusively for the SNES. Unlike its predecessors, it's not an arcade port. The levels are excellent, featuring all kinds of challenges and memorable moments (jumping on missiles, anyone?). The game is actually more cinematic than the NES games--who can forget when the boss of the third level claws open the doors and pulls them apart? Most levels are side-scrolling and there are two overhead levels (which are the weakest parts of the game). This is also an excellent co-cop game.

Why I love it: I remember my brothers would rent this game all the time from a video rental store in our grocery store (along with Final Fantasy II). As a kid, I was blown away by this game. The crazy levels, the awesome alien bosses, the great power-ups, the whole package is just great. I don't know how anyone could not love this game.

Cary Woodham

02/04/2020 at 08:34 AM

LIke the others on your list so far, I only rented this one. I was never very good at Contra, but I enjoyed playing this with friends when we'd rent it.

The Last Ninja

02/04/2020 at 10:38 PM

Well, this is game is REALLY hard, so I don't blame you for "not being good at it"

daftman

02/04/2020 at 01:35 PM

Such a classic! It's funny, though, how I like the top-down-but-only-forward stages of Super C soooooo much more than the free-roaming ones in this game.

02/04/2020 at 10:39 PM

Yeah, the top-down ones in Super C are great. I guess it's because you have to spin your character in this one, which can be confusing.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

02/04/2020 at 01:38 PM

Great box art!

Can you say EPIC!!!

KnightDriver

02/04/2020 at 06:02 PM

oh yeah, this was the other SNES game i played a lot. Mark and I played it co-op. Very awesome and very memorable. I wonder if you can still play co-op with it in Anniversary Collection?

02/04/2020 at 10:40 PM

Yes, you can. It's just as awesome and fun as ever.

02/05/2020 at 04:37 PM

Nice!

Super Step Contributing Writer

02/21/2020 at 12:14 AM

I want to say I got to level 3, after the first overhead one and when you're having to jump from pole to pole. I was not good enough to beat the Terminator looking boss.

PixlBit