Contra ReBirth Review

The newest entry in the classic run-n-gun series, exclusively for WiiWare, is an explosive (and short) experience worth 1000 Nintendo points.

It’s been 22 years since the first Contra revolutionized video gaming with its intense run-n-gun shooting action and Konami is back with Contra ReBirth exclusively for WiiWare. The game, developed by M2, takes its cue from the 16-bit Super NES days, from 2D side-scrolling action right down to SNES-quality graphics. While ReBirth retains all the intense fun and explosive mayhem of its predecessors, it’s a bit of a step down from the expectations established by the stellar Contra 4 on the Nintendo DS.

After attempting to reinvigorate the storyline of Contras (super commandos) saving Earth from malicious aliens with the serious-minded Contra: Shattered Soldier back in 2002, Konami began to indulge in the mindless action aspect of the series. Contra ReBirth continues the tradition of the last two entries, Neo Contra and Contra 4, with the most tongue-in-cheek storyline yet: The planet is yet again threatened by an alien menace, this time the Neo-Salamander Force led by the reptilian Chief Salamander. Hero Bill Rizer is awakened from suspended animation and despite having no memory of who he is, immediately accepts orders from the Galactic President to annihilate the enemy. The short snippets of story spliced between levels are equally goofy, stating that the Contras “run for their freedom and their emancipation,” and that classic character Lance Bean is behind enemy lines disguised as a woman (complete with top hat and feather boa). The game is mindless fun and it knows it, making no real attempt to solidify itself in the official story canon.

Contra ReBirth is simple and direct, with hordes of bad guys to blast through, huge bosses to battle, walls to climb, and weapon upgrades to collect like candy. There are only three upgrades to choose from: the powerful Laser, the classic Spread Gun, and the invaluable Homing Missile. All weapons are rapid fire, and ensure that the screen will be covered at all times by bullets and explosions. Each player can have two weapons at the same time and switch back and forth as needed, but dying will cause you to lose whichever one is selected.

Single-player is enjoyable, but with only half the firepower, bosses can be much harder. The simultaneous two-player action is where it’s at. Playing the game on Easy means you won’t lose your weapon at death and unlocks the small robot Brownie as a playable character, but also means you won’t face the true final boss or see the secret extended ending. Beating the game on Normal and Hard will unlock the reptilian Contra Plissken and the Nightmare difficulty, which is as ridiculously challenging as it sounds.

The music is mostly comprised of cool remixes of classic Contra tunes, great for that nostalgic feel, but not adding any new mythos to the series. However, voices of bad buys groaning and screaming as they are blown away add some great fun to the action.