Over the years, Contra has seen a bit more reinvention than it really needed. Sure, the first games, including the SNES and Sega Genesis sequels, stayed on the status quo. But then we were given games like Contra: Legacy of War, C: The Contra Adventureand Contra Force, which strayed from a working formula.
However, Konami has been reworking to capture that classic feeling again. Rogue Corpsdidn’t entirely get the job done, but it wasn’t bad. And Contra Anniversary Collection is obviously a must, if only because it offers the NES version of Contra, which we’ve been sorely missing for years. (The Probotector games, too!)
Now we have Contra: Operation Galuga, which marks the return of WayForward to the franchise since the glorious Contra 4. They stick to the general roots of the series while adding some sweet new wrinkles, including additional characters and unlockable goodies. It’s a bit on the short side, and definitely more difficult than we remember (especially the challenge stages). But if it’s run-and-gun action you’re after, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Rumble In the Jungle
Once again, Bill and Lance have made their return to the series, packing some serious heat as they look to eradicate the evil forces of Red Falcon. But it’s not just them, as several new characters join the fray as well, such as Ariana and Lucia. You can unlock others as well.
They each have their own particular gameplay styles, but the general idea is the same – shooting enemies good, getting hit bad. You can pick up an array of power-ups, including familiar favorites like the Spread gun and the Hunter homing missile rifle. You can store two at a time, and even level them up with a special boost as needed. Of course, you lose them if you die, so tread carefully.
Gameplay-wise, WayForward is to be commended for going back to basics here. Though it doesn’t innovate, Operation Galuga certainly entertains, especially when you buddy up with a friend in local two-player co-op. There’s no online, but oh well. It’s exciting action with nods to earlier entries in the series, along with some sweet new twists on boss designs. And it’s hella fun. (We can say that, it’s a word.)
As a bonus, you can unlock new goods as well. Along with a Story mode (which isn’t bad), there’s the general Arcade mode, as well as the Challenge mode, which will put you through your paces as you try to overcome each one and earn medals to spend in the shop.
Speaking of said shop, it’s worth the visit. Here, you can unlock perks (like 30 lives), new characters, and all sorts of goodies. There are even retro soundtracks in here, in case you feel like going back to the old-school for a bit. These alone give the game a lot of replay value, even if the action stays mostly the same.
Honestly, this is a full package for Contra fans, and a nice return to form after so many oddball entries. Sometimes it’s best to keep it simple, soldier.
A Good Looking Galuga
With Contra: Operation Galuga’s design, WayForward opted to stay true to the spirit of the original games. And it shows.
Visually, the game has a nice 3D presentation, with several familiar, fast-moving stages to keep the action going. The animations are good, and the weapon effects are cool to watch. There are times things can be a bit too frantic, and the visual detail suffers slightly as a result. But the game still runs smoothly and that’s what counts.
The audio is commendable. The voice acting here isn’t bad at all, though you’ll only hear it during certain missions in Story Mode. The sound effects are classic Contra, and the new soundtrack is nothing short of awesome. Of course, the older tunes live up to the hype as well, if you’re so inclined.
The game does run a little slower on Nintendo Switch (even with the patch), so keep that in mind. Otherwise, it’s Contra, and we couldn’t be happier.
Victory Is In Sight
Contra: Operation Galuga could’ve used a few more arcade-style stages, as well as some difficulty leveling in some areas (some bosses are just plain brutal). But overall, WayForward deserves a few pats on the back for staying true to formula, while also succeeding with some solid new ideas.
The end result is a game that classic fans and newcomers will enjoy alike. Here’s hoping the series sees even more epic entries from here. After all, Red Falcon never quits…and neither do Bill and Lance.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Konami for the review code!
