I want to preface this by saying that as much as I enjoyed the collection, it has no business being $20, at much is $15 but ideally you get it for less. You realistically get 7 games here: Contra Arcade, Contra (NES/Famicom), Super Contra, Super C, Contra 3, Operation C and Contra Hard Corps. If you're only buying this for one game like Contra, Contra 3 or Hard Corps, then there are "other" methods that won't cost you $20.
[h1][b]Menu and Controls[/b][/h1]
I played exclusively with an Xbox One controller. Controller worked flawlessly for me.
You can rebind buttons in every game, so I don't understand the complaints, apparently keyboard only allows you to rebind a few keys on your keyboard which sounds horrendous if that's the case but controller has no issues with that. The one legitimate issue is Contra Hard Corps using its in-game Options menu instead of the Collection Menu. It shows Shoot, Jump and Select, but you can only cycle their positions, without telling you which button is which. I assumed the first was X and second A based on the other games, and I was right, but expecting players to know that is dumb. They should have allowed remapping through the Collection Menu.
The Collection Menu has the usual stuff: aspect ratio, borders, save/load states, reset, etc. I used the original display settings and added frames to the sides. Other resolutions stretch the image horribly in my opinion. There are also no display settings for the collection window itself, which is embarrassing. If you want borderless, you'll need something like Borderless Gaming.
[h1][b]Gameplay[/b][/h1]
[b]Contra Arcade[/b]
This game surprised me. Yes, it's hella janky, but it's not unplayable and has its charm. It's mostly the same Contra as the NES/Famicom version, but there are differences: no loading between levels, different layouts and changed bosses. It's about as difficult as the NES/Famicom version, if not easier because the platforming is more forgiving.
[b]Contra (NES/Famicom)[/b]
I'm assuming most people played the NES version, aka the American version. After playing the Famicom version, I cannot emphasize enough how garbage the American version is.
Remember those insane frame drops in the American version? They're still here, so they didn't even attempt to fix them. The Famicom version is silky smooth and also has LORE. It has history and a visual map between stages, plus two cutscenes.
Don't even attempt to play the NES version. Go straight for the Famicom version. It's a far superior experience, and in a Run 'n Gun, gameplay experience is what matters.
[b]Super Contra[/b]
The arcade version of Super C. It's similar to the other arcade Contra graphically, though I'd say the first looks slightly better even tho is older. The levels are mostly the same as Super C, but the bosses differ. Many aren't in Super C, honestly for good reason, because they make Super C a better game. The exclusive bosses are asinine, and this technically ends around Area 6 if you compare them.
[b]Super C[/b]
Perfect sequel. It takes what the original did and makes it better. Great gameplay, stage variety and bosses. It's highly overlooked, but 100% worth playing if you liked the original Contra.
[b]Operation C[/b]
Pretty decent, especially for a Game Boy game. It's basically a mix of Contra and Super C, with a few original bosses and a very annoying final boss, but the level design is mostly from Super C. The music is basically a different mix of the first Contra's music.
The one thing that caught me by surprise is the gravity. It's FAST. You go up and fall down extremely quickly. You move like the first Contra, but your jump has the speed of Contra 3. Very weird. I don't know if that's a collection issue or intentional, but it's there.
[b]Contra 3: The Alien Wars[/b]
I don't blame anyone for buying the collection for this because it's amazing, but it's not worth $20 by itself.
The turbo button is gone because you don't need it anymore; every weapon is basically on turbo by default. It lets you hold two weapons and switch between them, plus bombs that kill all enemies while also killing all your frames during the animation.
It has great gameplay variety: regular Run 'n Gun stages, vertical climbing, top-down stages you'll either love or hate, and the dreaded motorcycle auto-scroller. It also adds spin-shot, but realistically, who is using it? Its accuracy is unbelievably bad. Don't use it. Fast-switching weapons is better in basically every scenario.
Despite loving this game, I don't think it's the prized game of the collection. That title goes to the next one.
[b]Contra Hard Corps[/b]
Holy ♥♥♥♥, this game slaps.
I had never played it before, so this was my first experience. This is by far the best Contra I've played. The only one I haven't played is Contra: Operation Galuga, which I highly doubt would be better.
This game has EVERYTHING. You could sell me this game TODAY for $15 and I'd buy it. That doesn't justify the collection's price, but the quality is insane.
There are four characters and ALL OF THEM PLAY DIFFERENTLY. They have vastly different weapons, while Browny has double jumping, hovering and the smallest hitbox, letting you cheese bosses.
It also has MULTIPLE ROUTES. There are 11 unique stages overall, all with different bosses and no recycled content. Your choices in the first and fourth stages determine your route, so you'll need to play at least 5 times to see everything.
It also has a slide mechanic, making it more skill-based. This is easily the hardest Contra here, only topped by Contra 3 on Hard. No difficulty selection, so you're stuck in masochist mode.
Despite that, this game is absolutely worth playing.
If you want to make it piss easy, pick Browny and use the Electromagnetic Yo-Yo (Weapon C). The consensus is that Fang is strongest character because of Power Punch, but I call ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. Unless you're using the Psycho Blaster charging glitch, the Electromagnetic Yo-Yo is the strongest weapon by far. Keep its tip on an enemy and you can basically one-cycle every boss. You'll barely see one attack from each boss, I know because I've done it.
I initially thought the Yo-Yo was hot garbage because of how weird it behaved until I tried it on a boss. The rest of Browny's arsenal is indeed hot garbage, though.
The only other thing I dislike is that steady shot is a toggle here. It switches Shoot type from 1 to 2, with 2 preventing movement while shooting. In the other games it was a button you could hold to stay steady and aim diagonally. Not a deal breaker, but less convenient.
[b]Probotector[/b]
These are basically reskins of Contra 3 and Contra Hard Corps. They strip away a lot of the personality, so I wouldn't bother unless you're a completionist. Probotector, the Hard Corps version, even completely changes the story and dialogue into a worse version. Super Probotector only reskins Contra 3.
[h1][b]Extras[/b][/h1]
The collection has the History of Contra in English and Japanese instead of the usual artbook bonus. It's genuinely interesting, covering development, lore, concept art and sketches. Yes, these games actually have lore.
Each game also has its own manual, but it's basically just the button layout. The full manuals are in the History of Contra section.
Not having a Sound Gallery is an insane miss. Most collections have one, so that's a point against this collection.
[b]TL;DR: Pretty solid collection for people who like Contra. It's overpriced, but I had fun with it, and if you like Run 'n Guns, you probably will too. $15 on sale should be good, and lower is better. If you haven't played Contra 3 or, especially, Contra Hard Corps, get it. They're so good, especially the latter, that they almost make up for the collection's price.
I played everything on an Xbox controller. Other reviews report issues with keyboard and other controllers.[/b]
