Contra How I Remember It - Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN)

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This is episode 202 of the Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) and The Nerd is talking Contra! After years of playing nothing but crappy games, The Nerd's dreams are fulfilled through a wish on a monkey's paw, allowing him to finally play something good. Contra for NES is one of those games that everyone has nostalgia for and the AVGN is no different, so he's taking us back to the past to relive a series near and dear to his heart. While focusing on the original Nintendo Entertainment System classic and it's sequel Super C, The Nerd also checks out Contra Arcade, Operation C, Contra III: The Alien Wars, Contra: Hard Corps, Contra: Legacy of War, C The Contra Adventure, and Contra 4. -- Contra is a run-and-gun shooter game originally developed and published by Konami for arcades in 1987, before coming to homes on the NES in 1988. Also known as Gryzor and Probotector in some regions.
Written and Directed by James Rolfe:
/ cinemassacre
Help from Kieran F. and Mike Matei
Check out their streams on Twitch and links:
/ kieeeeern
/ mikemateilive
For everything else Cinemassacre:
cinemassacre.com/
#AngryVideoGameNerd #Contra #NES #AVGN202 #Cinemassacre

[@JamesNintendoNerd]

Go to expressvpn.com/cinemassacre and find out how you can get 3 months of ExpressVPN free!

[@ohbiIly]

No you

[@100comedy]

a private network is very cool but all i really need is an internet connection that works properly lol

[@ohbiIly]

@Evil 🅥 2:45

[@Nordsee33]

@Evil 🅥 no you don’t

[@Mr_Fancypants]

But i like China to have my personal info

[@LeontheSmithy]

Dude, we need more of these episodes. Where you're not forcing yourself to be angry, but rather sharing your childhood on games and why you loved them. This was fantastic.

[@NinSonyFan]

Absolutely!! 👍

[@Cycyc_See-Sick]

agreed!!

[@osurpless]

That’s what Monster Madness and most of his retrospectives have always been.

[@joshua2814]

Agreed. He's skirted this territory before by covering a series he loves, but then critiques the bad parts, but why limit himself? It's all about nostalgia.

[@planetphatness]

The reminiscent video game nerd.

[@what4321ify]

"Sometimes you have to forget about something to fall in love with it again" literally how I feel rewatching avgn

[@RunaroundStar]

Literally made me breakdown thinking about my ex girlfriend. . .

[@dragomilosevic4823]

*temporarily

[@angelphoenix7784]

This is how I feel now, since I've walked away from Fallout 4 and Skyrim.

[@julioagiri3354]

​@@angelphoenix7784me with Skyrim, oblivion and nv

[@edm192]

@@RunaroundStar get over her, stalker

[@duyphan4617]

The ending is touching. Adding the ending theme of contra makes it even more tear-jerking.

[@DyoKasparov]

that ending speech was awesome

[@angelphoenix7784]

/salute.

[@williswareinc]

I'm all for more positive retrospectives of games James liked when he was young but told through the Nerd. The 4-part Castlevania-thon was great.

[@theWoodrow321]

Maybe my favorite nerd episode or episodes. Lol

[@NEXUSsS11]

I agree. I enjoyed those retrospectives so much, it was just so nice hearing his memories regarding those games, especially SNES Castlevania 4.

[@bryanwhitaker1429]

Agreed. His review of Castlevania 4 got me to play it.

[@jamescheddar4896]

ARIIIIIIIIIIIIIIBA

[@babygiraffe7074]

I wish he would continue it though. There are many more games. But I don't think the ps2 games are old enough.

[@ScenicFights]

Ending made me emotional. I miss the 90s and I miss my neighborhood friends :( That's why I collect physical games. Each one holds a dear memory to me.

[@guybrushgetchell2945]

Moments are temporary, but memories last forever

[@zengram]

Physical games forever,bro

[@drpseudo]

Yes, altough I tend to collect too many new ones that I did not even play, so these make no sense

[@BennyPlayer-du2je]

Old games: Our childhoods! New games: This is cool stuff!

[@AndrewTheTransformer]

@@guybrushgetchell2945 aha was that what Richard Branson said?

[@acadiasands1971]

This video was so touching. It was like James came through and introduced himself to us personally. Breaking through as we all are aging and growing up. Mourning lost childhoods while trying to move into the future. Thank you, James... Thanks.

[@markjohn7570]

Hello

[@kingcrimson234]

Contra, Mega Man, Super Mario Bros, Castlevania. By far the greatest game series on NES. In no particular order.

[@swampdonkey4919]

Would've been nice to get a decent third NES contra sequel instead of the crummy one that wasn't even really part of the franchise.

[@Adrian.R850]

These positive AVGN reviews are such a rare occurrence that are as valuable as a bar of gold or raw diamond.

[@MiniMackeroni]

They're informative too in a fun way. Some of that Rolfe-passion rubs off onto the Nerd character.

[@PRESIDENT_LEMON]

I’d personally say it’s like uncut high grade Jade

[@martingaray14]

One of my favourite videos of his is the Earthbound review, also in a similar tone to this one.

[@Rgoid]

Positive? I hate to see what YOU’D call negative.

[@tiangao9117]

This episode is a perfect example of 'Hes gonna take you back to the past'.

[@willkriss1497]

he perfectly defined nostalgia without even tryin

[@robd1329]

Yea and this one sure wasnt plagerized

[@tiangao9117]

@@robd1329 what u mean

[@TheRoboJesus]

The end of this video hit really hard. Thanks for bringing back a part of my childhood, and the memories I made with friends and family.

[@lucasflores8095]

It's rare when James becomes profound and nostalgic, but when he does, it's beautiful. Been following you since 2016 nerd, you're the best!

[@poleythepolarbear9706]

It feels odd when James goes from being his AVGN character to James Rolfe. Talking to us in a modest, and sincere way.

[@nyuszicsib]

To be honest....these are my favourite parts.

[@Tirgo69]

AVGN always did this even from the beginning, moments where it's pretty obvious it's James talking instead of the Nerd

[@johnsmith-fz5pz]

455. ;)

[@Xx_Venom_Fox_xX]

The difference between James and the Nerd really is just his presentation isn't it? It's moments like those that really show he's not just an actor playing a character - he's actually just sharing a fun, over-the-top part of his own personality with us.

[@floshjix02]

Man that ending when you were talking about how sometime somewhere maybe those same friends are thinking about those memories of sitting with you too, that just made me tear up man

[@sonofsol2869]

Makes me want to reach out

[@ibonetti84]

Same

[@RetroGamingTings]

Nothing beats the feelings of nostalgia I get when I hear that song from the jungle stage

[@russelthebastard]

Even if I didn't grow up in the 80s, I can still empathize with the nostalgia that everyone from that era experienced. And this still made me cry.

[@ItsSleepyxo]

Didn’t think I’d ever cry due to an AVGN video but here we are. Love you grandma. Thanks for taking me to rent Contra. Thank you.

[@mdragarg]

Based grandmother

[@SnailMaster]

Oh yes. This episode hit me too.

[@revolverjesus98]

Your grandma got you addicted too? 😂

[@JJOOKER]

@@revolverjesus98 My grandmother brought me tomb raider 3 i miss her so much.

[@dr3dnaut38]

Just lost my mom last week and contra was one of my favorite Christmas gifts from her

[@SparkyMK3]

That ending choked me up. This was already a great episode, but that wrapup has instantly made this one of my favorite AVGN episodes!

[@ALitleBitSpecial]

That's got to be sarcasm right?

[@710blodgett74]

something I just said.

[@SkywalkerSam64]

Wow! This game seems to really be one of those who got into you deep. Otherwise u wouldn't have made this episode such a BEAUTIFUL ending! Finally, you became spiritual, Nerd! You accomplished the thing that is the true fate of every real "geek": to become a Chosen One in the end

[@bobfromjob]

I got choked up by it, too. But instead of a grandparent, it was a parent.

[@1DAR26]

I'm feeling the same way. That ending have you sitting back and just reflecting on your childhood. Times back then was truly simpler than it is today.

[@brokenscart7989]

There’s so much more passion evident when James is talking about stuff from his childhood.

[@contra8183]

An outro deserving of a Grammy! Well done AVGN. I sure wish I had old video footage of myself playing games and such. Must be cool.

[@SoCloseToToast]

That was a little lovely outro you wrote that definitely tore at a lot of people's heart strings & brought back a lot of childhood memories.

[@stephenrogers8914]

Yea, my world stopped for those 2 min. Well done. I don't know what to say, just came out of nowhere.

[@Ahairball]

Ngl it made me a bit emotional.

[@Mysticfateee]

That outro is exactly what nostalgia is and why it's such a powerful force...

[@therealbagface9388]

Dude got a stiff mf over here crying over Contra 👏 bravo

[@KriztofferSwank]

It hit me in the feels because I have no more grandparents left, but their love and wisdom are with me forever.

[@therealfocusin]

Oh man that ending got me, I cried like a little kid. I miss my childhood and my dad... He used to play videogames with me... Happy times. Thank you, James.

[@Katiriaa84]

I also miss my dad, with whom I played games with.. I'm glad, that there are people like me, who understand..

[@breakfastsurreal5650]

@nieooj gotoy I swear. This one ratcheted up the nostalgia x 1000. I will always remember up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, A,B,SELECT, START forever.

[@JohnBondy52]

I also miss playing video games with my dad and the whole family

[@torrvic1156]

I am missing my dad too 😢

[@PrinceMagnum]

I had an uncle 4 years older than me and this episode got me. We played games like this together and when I was 32, he passed on. So this hit home. 44 years old and I confess, I cried too. Thanks for this one, James...

[@VentoliN13]

Also a BIG THANK YOU to anyone who has been involved with any of your projects! THANK YOU Mike Matei and THANK YOU to all the people involved with screenwave!

[@Castlemaster.]

We didn't realise we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun. 〜Winnie the Pooh

[@randomM1ND89]

I'm not crying.. YOU'RE CRYING!

[@BTLAGS]

❤😢😊

[@naxmorvigatore4168]

It's always nice when James gets chill and sentimental every once in a while

[@hermitcard4494]

Out of character 🤣👍

[@sebastianriz4703]

@@hermitcard4494 not really. The Nerd is perfectly capable being sentimental and chill. Its just a rare trait we see from the charecter.

[@jaydub8085]

You just don't know how much you just yanked on my heart with the epic ending. My Dad passed away in 2019, and he loved watching me play this game as a kid. R.I.P., Dad, I hope you're watching down over me! Thank you, James! ❤

I’ve never played Contra in my childhood. Unfortunately, I didn’t grew up with videogames or at least not at so many years. But this positive review made me cry, remembering my years as a little girl and how even without the videogaming experience, the shared feelings about childhood games and memories felt almost the same. More wholesome AVGN videos, please. ❤

[@KahlessTheUnforgettable]

I wouldn’t be upset if the next 20 years of AVGN was just this. Thank you James 👾

[@asktoseducemiss434]

moment forever , sometimes we might need to remember , no matter how hard and complicated world gets , the a little plastic box made us so happy

[@pappalippa4687]

So .. as we are getting "old" 😆 Let "Happy Videogame Nerd" will be now ok?

[@Parmie]

so not being angry

[@blackdruidhymns5333]

I honestly teared up with that ending part. Completely nailed how those memories feel like.

[@meinerHeld]

he is the master

[@ju1c31ng0t]

right there with ya

[@iLLWiLLx21]

I played this game as a kid so it hit me really hard in the feels

[@duyphan4617]

I remember playing contra with my lil bro when our grandfather was still there watching us playing. Not really long ago. I'm 24 now. I was like 10 back then. My bro is 2 year younger. Our grandfather passed away in when i was 13. 😢

[@rorywilkins4161]

*HUGS*

[@An_Assholian_From_Planet_Ass]

Tôi tưởng tôi là người việt duy nhất xem AVGN cơ

[@duyphan4617]

@@An_Assholian_From_Planet_Ass tui biết đến AVGN cũng hồi nữa sau 2022 thui. Trc toàn xem AJ là chính

[@duyphan4617]

@@rorywilkins4161 thanks

[@An_Assholian_From_Planet_Ass]

@@duyphan4617 tôi biết từ 2019 rồi video đầu tiên của tôi hình như là hong kong 97 ý

[@nbHawkeye]

That was another age. An age that will never happen again. Even though the golden era is long gone it's still great to remember it, all the memores you made. What a touching ending.

[@litigioussociety4249]

This episode reminded me that James has become like family to those of us who have been watching for over fifteen years. The love for the NES unites fans.

[@zeyadibrahim2683]

Video games as whole

[@zachhaywood1564]

Ah so close, I'm 14 years. I've brought shame unto my house.

[@BrawlKat141]

You can cleary feel James' passion in this video. That ending was simply touching.

[@q8madness87]

That was a really amazing ending. You had me crying here😭😭😭

[@theeota]

These retrospectives hit hard. Nostalgia makes me sad sometimes, I lost a lot of people in my life and its bittersweet to call back to these more innocent times. I appreciate the look back.

[@mostverticalproductions4808]

My favorite kind of Nerd episodes are the ones where he does retrospectives. I like seeing James gush about stuff he loves.

[@conman_yt7999]

Like the four-part Castlevaniathon

[@LorenHelgeson]

Or SwordQuest. I wish James would do more.

[@botluckproductions]

I remember playing a bootleg cart of this in Lithuania. Even the Iron Curtain could not contain Contra.

[@themanonthewallgammairradi8763]

How could it, with John Matrix and John Rambo in the cartridge?

[@botluckproductions]

@@themanonthewallgammairradi8763 indeed

[@IvyrKazegami]

Hence why I still keep my old PS2, sometimes I don't remember stuff, but playing those childhoods games always brings me back to those much simpler times

[@shariffudyn7653]

I'm a 45 year old dude growing up playing arcade games in the 80's and 90's. Even my Contra memories were from what I've experienced in the arcades with my old friends. But no 'arcade channels' evoked all the fond memories I had playing all those games like what James of AVGN did here. All those arcades geeks ever talk about was only technical stuffs like ROMs, chips, motherboards, jamma, PCB, Sanwa buttons, HEPP joysticks, bla, bla, bla... Thank you James!!

[@yerk55]

James still has it. That ending reflection was beautifully done.

[@finRatman]

I love it when James mixes his own personal history into an AVGN episode.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

indeed, i hope we get to see another one of these later in the year, maybe give us his best Zelda memories, as there are a lot of them and we dunno how many James played.

[@andreastimothypanggabean8975]

I really miss my childhood after watching this episode. Thank you James ❤️

[@francopriotto1114]

You made me cry... didn't expect that. Thanks friends for all the memories

[@rifatbobos]

The fact that James still have footages of him as a kid is amazing, and love episodes like these because mostly the games that are nostalgic to The Nerd are also nostalgic to me

[@recorderdude]

I'll watch any AVGN ep, but both of the 2022 AVGN videos so far feel better than the nerd has in YEARS. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but it just feels like they're straight from the soul. I'd gladly wait as long as it takes between eps if it's gonna be like this from here on.

[@ShadowEl]

James was clearly not into AVGN/the "Nerd character" for a few years. It showed in his work. I think his recent stuff is legitimately the best content he's put out in at least a decade. You're exactly right about soul - the passion is there, just like it was in the old days.

[@mikemar42]

This x 900000000

[@786TGWGH]

Cause Justin left.

[@BoxFang]

Seeing contra hard corps getting recognition warms my heart

[@ghostofsilence2697]

@@786TGWGH wait who is justin?

[@ryan8401]

I so appreciate James' take on nostalgia. I'm about the same age, so it's very heartwarming to see his photos of growing up in that era. It really takes you back. Thanks for sharing, Nerd!

[@stormcloud-9369]

The ending made me weep like a child. Miss you dad. Thanks for buying me Contra and watching me play it

[@LordAereas]

I used to play mega man 2 with my dad. He passed when I was 11 and to this day I still get teary-eyed when I beat it.

[@IMP3TIGO]

Who else initially thought something else when he talked about "beating it' and then realized he meant the game? RIP Lee McWater's dad.

[@rionthemagnificent2971]

I know that feel. My dad's getting up in years, but whenever we find a Galaga arcade cabinet.. we pop a few quarters in for old times sake.

[@luismagana9784]

Rip

[@nkfics4311]

I’m sorry for your loss. My condolences. :(

[@radikalskippy]

A couple years ago, my father passed away. The day after his funeral I went and played StarTropics for NES, one of our old favorites. When you talked just now about beloved ones watching us play again after they left, I really connected with that. It's that exact feeling, that maybe these games are something to hold on when you need it. Great video, James. Thank you for the memories.

[@somefries3101]

Im sorry for your loss...

[@HairyPixels]

Ditto. May 2020. RIP our fathers.

[@NohjAnec]

Remember, your father isn't really gone. He will always be with you! :)

[@CoryT9783]

The end of this is making me miss my dad. When I was younger, he would surprise me with a new game now and then. Man I miss and love him.

[@MushroomHedgehog]

That ending was so touching. Same can be said about your videos, James and crew. They’re just as timeless and brought so many people together.

[@nerdcraftercoley7305]

I got a bit teary-eyed there at the end. Felt like a classic AVGN episode.

[@A4orce84]

With less rage

[@305SEGA305]

Likewise

[@starscream6478]

There are chopped onions all over the floor where I’m at… I’M NOT CRYING YOU’RE CRYING!!!!

[@knalleballkalle8365]

Ummm what AVGN episode does it remind you of? I don't recall any classic AVGN like this, still great and I really liked it though

[@donkeyparadise9276]

say no to the great reset

[@markthehammer]

Well I did not expect the last sequence. We do have a connection, but it's deeper than you think: I've been following you since 2006 or something, while attending university, and there you go, I'm watching the lastest episode of the AVGN. Never have I lost a single episode of the AVGN. In my case you also were such an inspiration for creating my own videos, so the connection is even deeper. So I do agree there's a link between all of us thanks to videogames, but as I'm getting older I'm also aware that YOU were and always be such an important part of my happiness.

[@GiacomoCarali]

salve marco il martello

[@Vel_Plays_2.0]

You took the words outta my mouth.

[@eduardoregatieri]

Same thoughts here bro

[@J1njo7]

Been watching since I was 12 and now I’m 26 so I feel the same way. Great video

[@derekleguern7946]

Attended the university……..

[@Pix342]

I watched my little son play Contra, I remember well. I would ask him, "how do you do that?" He is now a grown man.Years later he taught me to play the newer games, but knew I could never play the retro games. Thanks for reminding me of the simpler times. ♥

[@JamienautMark2]

When I was like 5-7 in the early 2000s one of the things I had was a GBC with like 5 games and one was Contra on Game Boy. Will always have a special place in my heart.

[@JDXC666]

I was not expecting to have such a moment of nostalgia and self-reflection. This video was a true treat.

[@tubbythug92]

The positive retrospectives of games that James passionately loves is probably some of my favorite content by him.

[@michaelavarice]

From the absolute bottom of my nostalgia addicted, curmudgeon heart…thank you. Thank you for everything….these videos and you, the Nerd…have gotten as close as anyone ever will to my actual childhood and it’s memories. I will always associate you and these videos with my own thoughts of staying weekends at my grandparents and renting games…the store let you switch once during the weekend and it was fantastic…and staying up all night with my long gone childhood best friend mapping by hand on grid paper the final dungeon in Zelda 1 ….thank you ❤🖤

[@Rikigoya]

i agree with you 1000% on this video, im always thinking of old times in my gaming career or sharing the music of my favorite NES games. you really hit a bullseye in my heart on this one. its so great to know there are others out there remembering or feeling the Nostalgia of happy times through playing video games growing up. well done Jame's well done.

[@Jesusbaby2938]

Got something for you !!!...TM!!...🎮...

[@keybladewar22]

The ending was so powerful. Serious but true. We forget what fun memories we had with a certain game but as soon as we hook that game back up, it's on baby.

[@ps-lover8380]

So true

[@nemesisofeden]

It's crazy to see that James was always expressive, even as a kid. His faces are priceless

[@missamieholly2313]

I didn't grow up with the original NES (I'm from a younger generation and am about 16 years younger than James) but I still like to watch people so happily talk about their childhoods memories of a game and relive it through their gameplay. It gives me a fuzzy, endearing feeling I can't explain. Even if I didn't grow up with Contra, I can recognize someone experiencing nostalgia when I see it.

[@edwardpunales]

Easily one of the best AVGN episodes, and probably one of the best video games reviews on this platform. Just what I'd expect from the legendary James Rolfe. Bravo!

[@niksimmons4448]

I remember in an older episode where James talked about waking up and beating Contra right before going to school. Now he explains it more

[@johngutierrez2687]

I was not expecting such a heart felt moment. You’re a skilled story teller.

[@daredevil6145]

^ was that a sarcasm?

[@daredevil6145]

if you say so@@sarcasticdude2320

[@zacharycollins9485]

Wow! The second half of this episode is an exploration of the psychology of nostalgia and I absolutely love it. Way to go, Mr. Nerd! 👍

[@vincentd5651]

Most wholesome AVGN episode so far. Still love all of the heart and soul you put into creating these videos James, thanks man.

[@rebelspark86]

My mom used to watch me game as a sprout, she's been gone a few years now, and I've seen this episode a fair share of times. But I still well up at the end. If she's watching I hope she's proud

[@DamonDemolition]

That ending hit too hard. Thanks once more James, for all the years of nostalgia you bring us

[@gamebunkeradventures4575]

That ending was so beautiful, talk about tugging at my heartstrings. So many amazing memories are associated with video games. I'm so glad that I've grown up with the evolution of gaming.

[@BennyPlayer-du2je]

People on new games: this game is so cool! People on old games: our nostalgia!

[@CosmicDuskWolf]

I never got far in Contra, but I did beat Gunstar Hero's on Sega with my cousin. I would have loved playing Contra Hard Corps as a kid. I miss Funcoland. Watching the end of this episode makes me remember my childhood in the 90s. Back when my imagination fueled my fun with my toys, along side my family and the friends of my childhood.

[@MadnessMotive-1428AZ]

Awesome ending. You did the game justice. My dad always got me the latest and greatest games for multiple systems when I was growing up. I am so thankful to him for allowing me to get lost in those worlds and live those adventures. When I play today, or watch videos like this, I remember him and the things he did for me. Thanks for the wonderful video and look back.

[@nazaryn]

Didn't expect to cry at the end. I never even owned an NES, but the "grandparent watching you play your favorite videogame" hit home.

[@VideoDotGoogleDotCom]

Same here. My mom died less than a month ago. This was a bit too much for me right now.

[@Agropio]

That line broke me too. I was already moved by that whole ending section up to that point, but right there I lost it.

[@avengingxeonshw]

@@VideoDotGoogleDotCom same here man, my mom died on 4th April this year. The outro hits me hard as well.

[@digi-it6oc]

Same here the tears were flowing

[@villesokero1252]

James don't ever again forget that YOU are the show. So great to see that when you are doing thing on your way, its real AVGN.

[@nedonair]

Hearing the SuperC theme at 15:00 and remembering the 32X episode makes me realize how much I have enjoyed James' content for so many years ❤

[@colinhunter8985]

Jesus Christ, I didn't expect to be watching one of these, crying in an airport. Fucksake man.

[@kaspauf06]

that ending brought this grown man to tears, I miss my childhood and gaming with those I have lost contact with or have passed, really awesome video!

[@BrobjeV]

You're lucky, coz i don't miss my childhood.

[@saltyseahawksfan8462]

@@BrobjeV nobody asked

[@AURORAFIELDS]

Its fitting how the best AVGN episode in years ends with James talking about the past. Reminded me of how I found out about AVGN and had to watch all the old episodes and to see some of the new ones too. Pretty weird feeling

[@TheAaronRodgersTao]

Agreed. We all got to share that feeling together.

[@PepsiMan666]

It helps that it was just James himself writing and directing. With some help from Mike Matei like the old days.

[@Bubba524dtm]

I've got 2 of my best buds that were childhood friends and we most certainly played all the contra games and played just like that with nerf and water guns. Of course we are grown now but we still keep in touch. Thank you nerd

[@damiennichols4628]

1 year later. Still the feels.

[@GDBlackRed]

The ending caught me off guard. Never expected that from AVGN.

[@Trainspotter911]

Well written Sir, WOW

[@JapanStep]

He did something similar with his 4 part Castlevania videos, the ending was touching.

[@porkchopexpress84]

That ending almost had me shedding tears. Sublime stuff.❤

[@brycethom5242]

Ya, like he said, almost....

[@carnivorehitman]

This

[@warwizard87]

Dont know what you're talking about...not at all...

[@TransformersBoss]

I was getting feels, but then I heard kid James saying “you wanna play ghosts’s’s’s n’ goblins?!” In my head

[@SkywalkerSam64]

Wow! This game seems to really be one of those who got into you deep. Otherwise u wouldn't have made this episode such a BEAUTIFUL ending! Finally, you became spiritual, Nerd! You accomplished the thing that is the true fate of every real "geek": to become a Chosen One in the end

[@SkorpTS]

I can't believe I missed an episode, and a really heartfelt one at that. To this day, I still haven't played a single Contra game, but those feelings described at the end are fairly generally applicable. Thanks, James.

[@isaacgomez-everythingrevie6955]

Hey James you just made this 40 year old cry. I beat contra for the nes with my 8 year old son about a month ago. It was epic. Thanks for your best video to date my friend.

[@GLASSGHOSTHUNTERS]

The hero we need in our darkest hour. A symbol of hope. It's the AVGN!

[@digitalwolf3801]

I just lost my dad, so hearing you say the loved ones we've lost are still watching us play was enough to get the waterworks going. Great episode, thank you.

[@DuecePiece]

I used to go over and play Super C with my uncle before my cousin was born. We would lay on his livingroom floor and go crazy! Thank you for all the memories Uncle Butch / Contra, I will cherish them long after I'm gone! ❤️

[@chris-_-3073]

This review just had me pull out my Contra, Super Contra, and Contra Force and blast through them all Sunday on my vintage NES. Thanks !👍🎮😁

[@brianstovall750]

This is, by far, one of the best videos you have made. Because, my Grandmother used to watch me play this for hours. and when i finally beat it without the code we celebrated with dessert. :) Thanks for the memories!

[@seand5942]

Same but link to the past!

[@bradhedgehog12]

Same for me. Thought it’s the switch collection one. But still awesome!

[@JoseHernandez-sq8yh]

Best review and had me down memory lane. Today May 5th 2010 I lost my mother. But I still remember her buying a used Contra at the local swap meet and how excited I was to play it with my friends growing up. Miss you mom. Thank you Nerd. 😢😊

[@SreyRc]

Must have been lovely times! Am very sorry for your loss.

[@sibylsaint]

I also lost my mother in 2010.

[@JoseHernandez-sq8yh]

@@sibylsaint my condolences still as fresh as ever in mind and heart.

[@sibylsaint]

@@JoseHernandez-sq8yh Yep.

[@Jeabold]

Love these "how I remembered them" vids. Awesome celebration to why we all love these games. Wouldn't hate seeing more of them in the future.

[@seanoof2244]

Man, to think I watched this guy forever. This episode reminds me of Southpark - you're getting older. 2 shows I figured, laughs and I'd never tear up. Here we are. Mom and dad, lost ya both younger than I wanted too (before 30). To my old friends, I remember. This ending caught me off guard. One of the best endings I ever seen man. Thank you for 200+ episodes. 🍻

[@ScratonMusicOfficial]

That ending truly resonates well.

[@DiabolikSilhouette]

Uhhh... nope.

[@lopezrome1982]

I'm sobbing like a baby,totally unexpected from his normal content

[@SketchTurnerZero]

@@lopezrome1982 +1

[@victorcook4530]

There’s a whole new saga of AVGN videos waiting for us in a “How I Remember” series. I’m all for it. These have been great!

[@kushviper]

This ☝️

[@Inaluogh]

@@inoshikachokonoyarobakayar2493 Where where?

[@NaranRet]

yes please!!

[@erj9081]

This is Happy Video Game Nerd

[@Metal_Horror]

The way I see it is his shows are already like that. Except for the warm & fuzzy outro, of course. I can often tell he grew up with a game because he'll mention some perspective on it that I remember having as a kid. The perspective of a suburban 90s kid whose primary hobby was video games, and if he was lucky, had a VCR in his room. This show is a nostalgia overload for me. It's like he's in my brain sometimes.

[@Tooch24]

The karate kicking robot legit scared me as a kid when I played 🤣🤣

[@sheldoman]

I never got into Contra until I was older, but that outro made me think of Chronotrigger and Final Fantasy 6 and Pokemon Blue and Earthbound. I get so nostalgic for those games and remember all the friends I played them with.

[@jimbeam275]

“Do we hold our childhood so dear cause it was better, or just familiar?” That question hits hard

[@UltimateGamerCC]

gotta love the episodes when James gets nostalgic, it's when he is most authentically a video game nerd.

[@willkriss1497]

he perfectly defined nostalgia without even tryin

[@danendres5025]

That ending was beautiful. I used to play Contra with my Dad as a kid. He would have appreciated this video❤