Contra 4 DS

After a rocky sequel on the Genesis and some few ho-hum appearances on the GBA and PS2, Contra is back and in it's purest form on the DS.

I, like most other Contra-enthusiasts, was a bit concerned that this game is developed by Wayforward Technologies (the guys who brought you that lovely Ping Pals game). 1up did a hands-on preview of the game, which relieved all my worries about the game.

Basically, it does everything you want and expect from Contra. Powerups, great controls, countless baddies, shirt-less men running around. It also adds its own elements with the help of the dual screen of the Nintendo DS.

"All of this would be empty bravado if not for one important fact: Contra IV really does feel like its classic inspirations. It's an interesting mix of elements, paying homage to the stages, music and events of the original trilogy without feeling like a copy-and-paste retread.... Even so, Contra 4 has its own distinct flavor. This is due in large part to the dual-screen design of Nintendo DS; both screens feature active play space, and players can easily swap between the two by dropping down from above or using a grappling hook to instantly move upward."

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