Contra

Contra is a run-and-gun style platformer developed by Konami and published by Erbe Software in 1987. It was released in arcades and on ZX Spectrum and Amstrad PC to start with. The NES version was released in 1988, and several changes were made to make it more compatible with NES hardware.

A few notable changes are that the year it took place was changed to 1987, and the setting was changed to the Amazon. The main characters also got badass code names, Mad Dog and Scorpion. In the initial version of the game, the setting is the Galuga Archipelago in the year 2633, and the two Contra soldiers’ names are Bill Rizer and Lance Bean. Contra has over a dozen games in its franchise and is one of Konami’s most successful series.

A terrorist group plans to take over the world with the help of some aliens, and the two Contra soldiers are sent to stop them. Playing alone or in tandem with someone else, you take on an endless onslaught of enemies. You start with your standard weapon, but finding power-ups can change your weapon to Rapid Fire, Laser, Spread Gun, and more. The characters can also fire their weapons in 8 different directions, meaning no enemy is safe. Contra plays fast with a non-stop action feel, but timing is vital, as one hit can kill you. Contra is not a particularly long game, but it’s a challenge. This is personally one of my favorites, and the length never stopped me from wanting to run through it again and again. Call me biased, but you need to play this one.

If you like Contra, don't forget to try Contra: Hard Corps.