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CONTRA HC - KONAMI
Contra Hard Corps

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Megadrive




Contra Hard Corps
Konami's most frantic action packed shooter ever?

Other info like year, Manufacturer etc

Reviewed by Malc

The Megadrive can't do that! Honestly, I was gobsmacked when I first played this game, way back before the 32 bit machines lurched ponderously onto planet Shmup. Packed tighter than my Y-fronts full of rotation, warping, into-the-screen pseudo3D, multijointed enemies, relentless enemies and a driving soundtrack, the game oozes sweaty excitement.

Compare Contra HC to the dire 3d Contra Legacy of War, and you have proof that good gameplay is timeless. Which is not to say Contra HC's graphic are bollocks - far from it - they are stylish, hand drawn, and most importantly - 2D! Some games are meant to be like this - and I'm sure there are plenty Contra Fans out there who are still awaiting the definitive 32bit version. Contra's manic blasting gameplay hasn't changed much throughout its many variations, through Arcade Contra, Gryzor, SNES Contra Spirits, a few Gameboy and NES titles, and has a feel not dissimilar to Treasure's Gunstar Heroes - In fact I'm pretty sure the ex-Konami Treasure team worked on this one, as well as the SNES classic.

Anyway, enough drivel - here's a few pics from the game, a game that every shooty fan should own. Who cares if it's on the old Megadrive - it has some of the most astounding visual effects ever seen on the 16bit dinosaur, and still plays like a dream.



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Choose yer character and skip hurriedly past the story.

The robot character is great - the double jump it uses can get you out of plenty tight situations!
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WAHEY!!!
We're off!

Wheeching into the first level, your character's skip-like vehicle mows down various baddies before you take control...


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One of the first sub-bosses, level 1. This wobbly-animated monster robot razes the skyline before jumping into the screen and throwing small cars at your player. A very nice start to the game, make you almost pee yer knickers for more....


The end of level baddie - small yet dead hard! Beat him and you've got a choice of level 2!


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Into level 2, chasing the baddie, and we're scooting along on a hover bike, with a red spider robot lobbing loads of bombs and things.


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Aha! we've caught up with the baddie again, this time he's found another mech suit to play with.

Stunning into the screen scrolling level this!


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Alternatively, this is the other level 2 if you choose NOT to chase the baddie!

Jumping onto a friendly helicopter, you take to the skies.


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... landing right in this blokes lap.

Kill him and you'll discover the unknown hacker ...


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Level 3 - The Hacker, called Noiman (sic) lurks beneath a Junkyard... as usual he has henchmen to waste.

These bikes jump out of the screen at you - rather difficult bit this!


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Level 3 - One of the sub-bosses in the junkyard has a hairy fit - things are beginning to heat up rapidly at this point!


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Noiman's Hideout - seems like he's a bit of an amateur lawnmower man, and has some VR style bosses to throw at you


Yes, I know it looks a bit crap - but it's cool the way the VR vehicles transform


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Jungley level - and large stone heads are raining from the skies, full of purple flies.


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One of the most amazing bosses in the whole game, picks up the bridge you're on and shakes it about like a bit of string. Dangerous!


Standing atop a diplodocus' head for no apparent reason.


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Ooh, this boss takes effin' AGES to kill.

DIE YOU ANNOYING GIT!


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Aha! the professor was in league with the alien nutters all along! Here he gets his come-uppance and get swallowed by one of his mutated creations.


Here's his pals, pretending to be on the Muppet Show™


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Missed out a few bits, don't want to spoil it for you people!

Aliens start to feature quite regularly near the end!


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Climbing up the way, A large Alien starts to eat the smaller ones.

Saves you from having to shoot them I suppose. Nice alien:) Friendly alien:) AAAAAGH!! GERROF!!


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The Mummy Boss. All wavey arms, brains, and floating eyeballs.

This is weird, I don't remember coming this way last time I played it. I'm sure I must have taken a different route... I distinctly remember a level in which I raced to the end as billows of fire chased me...

Hmmm... full of secrets is this one!


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Some of those eyeballs and brains I was on about earlier - things move DAMNED fast here.


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Wait a minute! I'm sure I fought him last time! Maybe it's got something to do with the routes earlier on! Yeah, thats it! Buggerit, I'll have to play it again to make sure!


Come Baaaaaaack! Coward!!!!!



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