REVIEW: Contra III - The Alien Wars (Super Probotector) 1992 SNES
	By: Konami Type: Action Players: 1 - 2 Difficulty: Normal

Contra 3 is a fast paced, non stop shooting action game. Forget the stealth and action of today's games, like Goldeneye and Metal Gear Solid, just hold down shoot and plow through those alien hordes. The sequel to the popular Contra on the NES, this is easier, and also more fun. Normal platforming/shooting sidescrolling levels are interspersed with mode 7 powered top-down pseudo 3d shooting bits, adding much more excitement to this already fun game. Different play ideas continue with a motorbike/helicopter/hanging off a missile level requiring quick jumping and precise shooting. When meeting an end of level boss, or even a mini-boss, I was awed by their size in contrast the normal enemy horde. Some bosses take quite a while of continuous shooting to beat, but when they fall, a satisfying large and continuous cavalcade of explosions follows.
    If you're nostalgic, playing this game may bring back memories of the NES version of Contra, with some of the bosses being complete rip-offs, but still fun. Six levels are their for anybody addicted to shooting things to work their way through, with the Hard difficulty level making things, well, hard. A co-operative mode, (something that is sorely lacking in many of today's games) makes things a bit easier, with a mate there to cover your back, or to slap around the face if he makes you die by distracting you. The last level of this game is mainly mini bosses leading up to the last boss, and each time you beat one boss, you think the game's going to end, but no, Konami throw another one at you.

rolling down the highway... (and beeing attacked by a gigantic flying boss)

    The graphics are a large improvement over the NES (obviously) with medium-sized, colourful and well animated sprites amid atmospheric backdrops. The music is quite satisfying and is some of the best I have ever heard on a Snes cart, shame about the sound effects, while although they are satisfying, they lack the oomph of some games (like Blackthorne / Blackhawk's meaty shotgun.) It is quite hard compared to some games and lacks any sort of password/battery backup system, so if you want to beat it, be prepared for a fairly long sitting (or standing, or lying down, whatever) session. Bring a mate around for some fast and furious 2 player co-operative action and you've got yourself a reason to come back again and again, and although you may have finished it yourself, and think you're bored, the multiplayer action draws you back in. Looking for some hardcore action, with an extremely fun multiplayer mode? Play this and you won't regret it. - Ashley Musk 91%
 
 

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