Contra vs. All The Rest

[@TIDbitRETRO]

That Taxan published G.I. Joe game is AWESOME.

[@danbauer3669]

Yes it is! My copy overheats. You only get one go, then it stops working. That ain't the games fault, I blame the previous owner!

[@michaelpost3562]

That game never worked in my NES back in the day. It worked on my friend's though. I didn't have a problem playing any other game on my system. I even tried different cartridges of the game. Something about my NES made it a glitchy mess with crashes

[@danbauer3669]

@@michaelpost3562 I have developed a new (or old) trick. Wiggle the game in your NES and hit reset when you get a good image. I only have one game that I can't get to work and it's one of those weird third party games, Ultimate Stuntman.

[@toddburgess5056]

​@@danbauer3669wow thats crazy, I've never heard of that happening 😲😲😲

[@danbauer3669]

@@toddburgess5056 only game I've ever noticed such a thing. It is warm when you pull it out of the machine.

[@justins4814]

Bucky O’hare soundtrack is chef’s kiss!

[@redfalcon9]

Super Cyborg is criminally overlooked. I think graphically it outdoes anything Konami has put out in the original franchise so far.

[@michaelpost3562]

Aside from contra G.I.Joe is my favorite game on this list. I beat it like 3 or 4 times in a row to get the true ending.

[@MCastleberry1980]

Contra is one of the rare occasions where the NES port is better than the arcade despite being on weaker hardware. I'm totally unable to undo decades of nostalgia for Contra and playing it with my friends as a kid, even if Super C may be superior, I just didn't play it back then.

[@stuffthings1417]

exactly. idk why super c wasn't prevalent back then. it's fantastic, and better. but contra has a space in my kid soul.

[@MCastleberry1980]

@stuffthings1417 i think it was timing. Contra was right smack in the NES peak in 1988. By 1990, we were all waiting for SMB3, and were a year away from the SNES launching out here.

[@stuffthings1417]

@MCastleberry1980 soounds right. it was at the cusp.

[@jean-philippetessier6354]

Castlevania and Bionic Commando. Maybe Rygar ?

[@guidocatrx7]

​@jean-philippetessier6354 bionic commando arcade was so disappointing when I was 13 after playing the nes version

[@shareofmoney]

Its so funny that you mentioned Super Cyborg at the end if the video, because its the game that came to mind for me. Its much more difficult than the original Contra in my opinion. If you can keep the spread gun in the original Contra, you should be good to go.

[@RandyBandana]

80s kid here, Contra is the end all be all 💯🔥 if you grew up with it the nostalgia factor alone is off the charts 🤘 The end period

[@leefischer5814]

I would have thought Guerrilla War would've made it being all the different weapon types and such. At least i find it more Contra like than Jackel

[@biffdandy]

Iron Meat and Super Cyborg are fantastic. I'll also mention Blazing Chrome on Switch.

[@jsquaredsax4675]

Contra and Guerilla War were my picks

[@johngavalas712]

Guerilla War was so good so was Iron Tank even though it's not a run and gun

[@scottcaruso635]

Make as many topics or lists as you want. I could keep watching these all the time. Love the nostalgia you bring back when you review all these retro games. Particular nes snes

[@johngavalas712]

Actually my favorite NES run and gun is Super C Jourmey To Silius being a close second and John i love your channel especially the rankings

[@bdanka50]

I can't beat it without the 30 man code.. I like the LASER. There's your problem sir!

[@DoorsInTheLabyrinth]

Journey to Silius is one of my favorite NES games, possibly in no small part due to the soundtrack. Top tier stuff!

[@Walkeranz]

Super C enemy spawns are fixed. In original Contra the enemy spawns are based on your controller inputs, so every game can be different

[@EuSouRCS]

5:13 Contra Force was originally called ARC HOUND.

[@RobotMonkeytron]

I agree with most of your takes here, Super C is the better game, and Jackal is super underrated. Weird that you didn't give a shout-out to Metal Slug, though, since you were talking Switch games at the end. Yeah, it's later, but that's the true torch-bearer to the Contra legacy, imo

[@watson3047z]

Displaced Gamers has a good video about Contra Force and why the game slows down so much.

[@JonLeung1]

2:30 - "Why'd they call it 'Super C'?" - I've heard it said it was to avoid referencing the Iran-Contra affair/scandal. The Contras were the right-wing militias in Nicaragua. However, the Iran-Contra affair ended in March 1987, almost a year before the NES and Famicom releases of the first Contra game, so why it was okay then, but not okay another two years later for Super C, makes this theory questionable.

[@JohnRiggs]

Y'know, that's the best answer I've ever heard and will roll with it to the end of my days. Thank you.

[@STONESGAM]

I played Contra so much back in the day I could easily beat it without the cheat code. Not sure why Super C was included on the NES Classic instead of the original though it's also a good game. I prefer the original though.

[@stuffthings1417]

they put 3 kirby games on it but no contra, dd, or castlevania 3. insane.

[@DefConprime28]

Genesis had a game called MERC which was reminiscent of Contra Force

[@leefischer5814]

Mercs always seemed like a heavy barrel equivalent to me.

[@scottcaruso635]

I had super C growing up so I lean towards super c. Never even heard of contra force !!!!

[@snoredizzle]

Guerrilla War is my favorite run and 🔫

[@FamicomFanatic]

Check out Guevara for Famicom. It’s the same game as Guerilla War, but you play as Che Guevara and a 2nd player plays as Fidel Castro 🤣 They censored the game when it came to the US probably because of the Communist protagonists.

[@gamecheaterz]

I really enjoyed this video keep them coming

[@maxdokdok8712]

I always like pointing out how there was a game in Game Boy which I loved, Probotector 2, which was like a re-skin of Super Contra if memory serves.

[@GNoMe610]

Probotector is the PAL (European) version of Contra/Super C. Same basic game, different skins because Europe loves censorship, and worse hardware.

[@924project]

I appreciate your content, keep up the good work!

[@magpie4043]

Fans of Contra should check out a newer game called Huntdown. Its great

[@dionelr]

Love me some Jackal.

[@toddburgess5056]

Rushin' Attack lol I remember that game. Run n' shank 😆😆😆

[@stuffthings1417]

it's good. multiple playthroughs. one of those.

[@danielespeziari5545]

Journey to Silius should be compared to Mega Man, not Contra. Great idea for a video however, I enjoyed it

[@AntonioMaseratiGarcia]

I been Binge watching John Riggs videos all day.

[@triplestar100]

up next, the Genesis/MegaDrive version= Contra Hard Corps vs All The Rest! let's make it happen, Mr. Riggs!

[@retropowerit]

The only game that stands near Contra.... is Probotector!!! LOL!! Jokes apart Contra is amazing. I've covered it in my channel.. still the best nes run and gun ever made!

[@GamingtheOtter]

Are any of these playable on the switch online service? 😮

[@carrito1981]

Feeling great about this series!

[@nuksucow]

If you want to beat contra you should pick up the R weapon to increase the rate of fire of your current weapon while also earning you points towards getting another life. You avoided the R weapon twice while holding spreadshot, idk if you thought you would lose S by picking up R but that is not the case...you just get rapid spreadshot... CAUTION - you have to pick up the weapons in the above order, S and then R...the reverse (R and then S) will just give you normal spreadshot.

[@PhillipJackson-rl5ty]

Just Can't Beat Contra on the NES ...And yes I have Super Cyborg too 😅

[@danbauer3669]

When I was a kid I'd use the Konami code or Game Genie all the time. I know that game inside out. Now, no Konami code necessary, I'll get 3 million points. That's 4 or 5 playthroughs on one continue. If you WANT to be better at Contra, it's just like anything else. Practice, practice, practice.

[@FamicomFanatic]

@@danbauer3669That’s right Dan!! Funny seeing you here bro 😂 I’ll see you on Thursday with BOW! I’ve got a vid where I beat it without dying and also a “robbery” where I died on the last level right before the final boss. 😅

[@danbauer3669]

@@FamicomFanatic hey man! I got my 3 million point run on a different channel. A More Better Channel. Contra 3 million. See you later!

[@claymccoy]

For me, I give the edge to Contra III: The Alien Wars.

[@danbauer3669]

Contra 1, all day, everyday for me. Obviously, Contra III is also great but different console.

[@stuffthings1417]

contra III does too much. it's obviously great. just has no chill.

[@danabney4433]

0:59 whoa, nice!

[@blwn2bts]

Super Cyborg is so good. I got hooked on it and had to platinum it.

[@BlackMoore82]

Said this before that Bucky O’Hare remains my favorite action platformer or run n’ gun game. While Taxan’s G.I. Joe and Super C aren’t too far behind.

[@JeffWelcherMedia]

How ya feelin!? Keep up the great work John.

[@TravisTalbot-c7j]

My good friend enjoys Super C more too, I prefer Contra only because I grew up owning it and I never even heard if Super C till a few years ago when I fist starting collecting. Little kid me mind was blown 🤯

[@jamesz28]

Journey to Silius is excellent, and Rush n Attack is one of my favorites, but neither one beats out Contra for me. I've messed around with Super C, but I need to finally give it a real try.

[@JoHnAnDjAnEdOe81]

Contra, Super C, Contra Force, Bucky O Hare, Journey to Silius, G.I. Joe (Not the Capcom), Amagon, Batman Return of The Joker, Jackal, Heavy Barrel, Puss N Boots, XEXYZ and Rush N Attack. Great List and have defenitly not played all of them. Seemingly you could include anything that has a throwable weapon Like Doubke Dragon or The Adventures of Bayou Billy.

[@qp773]

Silent Assault is probably gonna be the one to topple the giant Contra! :)

[@Jameslikesbaseball]

Bucky o hare is a great game. I would argue it's more collectible today than Contra is. Have you seen the prices on a complete in box Bucky o hare 😮😮😮😮

[@mattb8075]

Super Cyborg is the best modern run and gun game that isnt Contra, and for me it's no contest. Before Steam Remote Play and Parsec were widely used, I played online coop with dozens of friends on Super Cyborg using the native online coop. Awesome graphics, music, gameplay, and bosses. Only downside is some of the minibosses are a bit lame. It has a lot of competition for indie run and guns, but for what you get and the PRICE ($5 not on sale on Steam) it's a steal. Everyone should own it.

[@jamesreece9502]

You said "He throws his shuriken, no not his shuriken, thats an uppercut." A shuriken is like a chinese star. You are thinking of shuruken, Ryu's uppercut. You're welcome.

[@stuffthings1417]

contra was my childhood. still stands as great. super c was later for me. it is better, no doubt. contra's music, levels, bosses, lower difficulty... make me like it more.

[@kadelemonade]

I’m really bad at contra but great at super C lol

[@stuffthings1417]

practice. and it's easier.

[@kadelemonade]

@ that’s nice, kid lol

[@stuffthings1417]

@@kadelemonade kid... if only. 46

[@krisbeckwith7105]

Nostalgic ✨ awesome game 👍🏼

[@ruminator3570]

How about considering Commando and the iconic sequel? RnG or not?

[@kevintappminville195]

Never got to finish Contra. Super C and Operation C though. Fire!

[@Kumimono]

Ah, a video, giving contra-st. Run-n-punch, is that a genre? Batman and Rocking Kats comes to mind, on the NES. :D

[@CobbicusPrime]

Snake Eyes' ninja magic doesn't use ammo.

[@noosense]

Fire n Ice shirt!!!!! Hell yes my brother! I live close to it! Karuma the best Mario smash player smashes there!

[@pluspixel]

I hated the laser! Hahah

[@fazares]

a few of these are more on the platform run n gun side a la mega man, though

[@phillipfaile3122]

Contra Force was Arc Hound

[@JoHnAnDjAnEdOe81]

So Super C has the same code but you only get 10 extra lives and its not the exact same. Its one less of each of the buttons if I remmeber correctly. Up down left right b a start. I could defenitly be wrong though and I have not googled it because its from my 10 year old memory from 33 years ago. Old school gamer as well as new school gamer. Also for the overhead level with the tank boss at the ens you can just go to the back and shoot the guy on the top and beat it sooooo much faster.

[@miamimagicians]

Megaman 2 is the best NES run gun

[@OrangeGeemer]

I used to play a lot of Total Carnage on the SNES. I hated that game, but I had it and it was that or boredom lol.

[@stuffthings1417]

no smash tv? top tier. carnage was ok, at best.

[@leefischer5814]

​@@stuffthings1417 I bought that for $1😂

[@trapmouth]

John, we’re of a similar age and everyone I knew always called it the ‘Spread’ gun, myself included. However, just recently it’s dawned on me that it’s probably ‘S’ for ‘Shotgun’ ??? Idk Either way Contra is easily one of the greatest NES games of all time.

[@danbauer3669]

It says Spread Gun in the manual. But, you can call it whatever you want!

[@JohnRiggs]

shotgun would make sense as well. But, yes, it called is Spread Gun Falcon in the manual.

[@rolandoperalta9745]

They calle it super c, because the name contra had soe issues, (related to polítically incorrecto names fue to the contra guerrilla wars in Nicaragua and the involment of the U. S on it?)

[@redfire2987]

I prefer Super C over Contra & it's more challenging.

[@danbauer3669]

Super C is definitely harder. I can beat Contra 4 or 5 times on one continue. I have to use all 3 continues to beat Super C once.

[@Football__Junkie]

I feel like the GI Joe franchise really missed the mark on video games. They should’ve put out a bunch of games like the TMNT franchise and others.

[@Football__Junkie]

Can you imagine. An FPS like goldeneye, a shoot ‘em up, a twisted metal type game, a flight simulator game, etc, etc

[@EuSouRCS]

Fire'n Ice store tour upcoming?

[@JohnRiggs]

outgoing. I posted one last month :)

[@ryno6284]

Jackal does not have unlimited continues!

[@AlbertoHeras-bx8cc]

Añadiré que la versión europea de Contra, llamada Probotector, es incluso mejor que el original; enemigos con un diseño más aterrador, robots en lugar de soldados en camiseta... ¡Probotector rules! Ah, y Journey to Silius es incluso más difícil que Contra.

[@richfutrell753]

Bucky O'Hare is more of a Mega Man clone than Contra.

[@miamimagicians]

Contra 1-4 all amazing .

[@dagggon112233]

I suggest Guerrilla war, but id still pick Contra tho

[@BiblestudysKjv]

You forgot the one game that beats contra ( Ikari warriors) . Impossible to beat but more fun

[@JohnRiggs]

Good call.

[@leefischer5814]

​@JohnRiggs well then Commando, Gun.Smoke, and Guerilla War need some mentions as well. And since Jackel is on here I would dare say Iron Tank (for your tread and gun?😂) and maybe then Vindicators?

[@ddg-dojodestroyergaming3682]

Man, you could’ve given Puss ‘n Boots a little more love, at least 10 more seconds of airtime. That game is a sleeper!

[@davidcasarez5034]

Gun Smoke?

[@danbauer3669]

Contra is best! Also, not as hard as everyone says. No Konami code required, I'll get 3 million points. Super C is much harder.

[@tonyschannel7438]

Personally Bucky O"Hare reminds me more of Mega Man than Contra.

[@pluspixel]

Also yes I think Super C is better

[@christian752]

Wheres megaman ?he runs and shoots too

[@jhighturntup5558]

Dibbs on Contra •°•.•°•.•°•.•°•💥🔫

[@TheRealJPhillips]

I would argue that SUPER C is just as good, if not, BETTER than the original CONTRA

[@jook13]

Nothing tops contra

[@brandonryder5873]

I also like Super C more than Contra

[@joeboo8626]

You prefer the laser, John?!? No wonder you didn't give Contra an S rating... you were playing it wrong!

[@Mike__P]

Gunsmoke!

[@codoloco5514]

ONe of the best was GI Joe

[@thejunkbucket3513]

Super C

[@mjdf122]

Contra vs the rest with John Riggs

[@joshjohnson6891]

How do you not mention any of the Mega Man games? They are run and gun games. They have weapon upgrades, enemies have weak spots you gotta hit and patterns you gotta master. Maybe Mega Man just in a league of his own cuz his games are running and gun but with stage select, probably wouldn't be fair to judge against Contra.

[@JohnRiggs]

They're getting their own video later.

[@eviljigglypuff2254]

Super C is better