Contra III: The Alien Wars speedrun [

Here's a 2-player run I did together with Mr. K: • Contra III: The Alien ...
Current world record for this category is 14:22 ( • Contra III in 14:22 ) by Mr. K.
If you are wondering why the fireballs in stage 1 don't kill me, I made a gif showing how close you can get to them without being damaged. The first two images show the closest possible position. The second two show what happens when I move one pixel to the left. The blue rectangle and the red square are graphical representations of how the game handles hit detection.
dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1...
The emulator script that enables the graphics you see in the gif is explained here: forum.speeddemosarchive.com/p...
Please read the description before posting comments.
First of all, thank you for watching this video! It took a lot of hard work to finish it.
This run was verified and accepted by Speed Demos Archive.
Watch it in high quality here:
[www.speeddemosarchive.com/Cont...].
So this is a speed run of Contra III: The Alien Wars for SNES.
I aim to complete the game as fast as possible, using all weapons available.
Done on hard difficulty, without dying.
Timing starts when I gain control of the character, which is fade in on stage 1.
Timing stops when I lose control of the character, which is when the character moves to the left on the helicopter after killing the last boss.
I had to cut the credits to fit the video within the 15 minutes available.
History of SDA speedruns for Contra III:
17:00 - Mike Uyama, 2005.
16:07 - Josh Styger, 2007.
14:59 - Mike Uyama, 2009.
14:42 - Jonas Martinsson, 2011.
Done on an NTSC SNES console, with standard PAL controller and no cheats.
Recorded using a Dazzle DVC 100.
Thanks to the following:
- All of SDA for keeping the speedrunning scene alive, and maintaining high standards.
- Mike Uyama for running SDA, and for his 14:59 run which inspired me to try my hand at Contra III.
- Kyle "Mr. K" Halversen for motivation, inspiration and tips.
- Friends and family for support.
FAQ
Q1: How many attempts did it take to finish this run?
A1: Hard to say as I only kept track of the number of attempts during the last stretch. A wild guess would be somewhere around 2000-3000. An average attempt is somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 minutes.
Q2: How long did it take?
A2: I started playing Super Probotector (before I had an NTSC console and a Contra III cartridge) in March 2010. By that time I was kind of bad at it, and was nowhere near being able to beat the game on hard difficulty. This run was recorded on February 4th 2011.
Q3: Why this choice of weapons?
A3: C does, by far, the most damage of all weapons in this game. As long as you stay within range of the enemies,
it's undisputedly the best choice.
Q4: Why do you switch between the weapons all the time?
A4: There is a maximum number of shots (from yourself, not enemies) that can be on the screen at any given time.
This number varies between weapons (it also applies to the peashooter, but only on very long range).
By switching weapons you can fire one gun while the other "reloads", effectively doubling the output for some
weapons, C being one of them.
Q5: Why did you use S and C, instead of L and C, on the tank miniboss in stage 1?
A5: S actually does more damage than L if all bullets hit. As I hit the tank point-blank, S is the better choice.
Q6: How come you don't die when standing on the stage 5 boss?
A6: Everytime you spawn or the screen fades in, there is a couple of seconds of invulnerability. I take advantage of this
fact to deal as much damage as possible on point-blank range.
Q7: What happened on the first miniboss in stage 6?
A7: That is a glitch that has happened to me maybe twice before. I have no idea what triggers it.
Q8: How come you don't get hit by the grey rocks at the last boss?
A8: When you lie down, your hitbox gets really small. I take advantage of this fact on the first wall in stage 1 too.

[@jtrevor99]

You know he's hardcore when he says "Nah, I don't need the tank. It'll just slow me down."

[@andygrayston5050]

Sometimes I like to pick up a non connected SNES controller and bash buttons whilst watching this pretending that I too have achieved ultra instinct gaming.

[@markavellimedina2857]

🤣😂

[@X3MCTZN]

You can always use ZA WARUDOOOOO!!!

[@mattcat234]

Woah, go out and get a hobby

[@chanbara8683]

And lets see...now the question wouldnbe...How old are you exactly?

[@Hurblat]

The C weapon does by far the most damage, and switching between two of them lets me effectively double the damage output.

[@ilikegameswithnopcplayersc6630]

Hmmm what about 2 H (homing missiles) I think that is a good combo too

[@andy56duky]

@@ilikegameswithnopcplayersc6630 useless against stationary targets

[@randomuser9488]

@@ilikegameswithnopcplayersc6630 not at all aswell, it does less damage than machine gun and if you spam the switch button, it will probably (or almost) shoot the same amout of missiles, in fact, spread & crush would be a good one

[@EdBoonSucks]

Even more than the Lazer gun?

[@randomuser9488]

@@EdBoonSucks yes

[@PrestonGarveyofthesettlements]

This game gave me the biggest boost in male testosterone. Nothing more manlier than running down the street with two big ass guns, and flying on missiles while fighting aliens.

[@juananz007]

Is there "female" testosterone?

[@vincelaw8079]

juananz007 absolutely. technically women have testosterone just as men have estrogen. only difference is how they are distributed in the body.

[@caseyharrington4947]

The Stalker …yeah but I still prefer getting laid

[@walkerwagon1615]

Y'all, this game is da bomb. I could never beat the game. But, the graphics and the awesome soundtrack is amazing!

[@minhdzung]

Damn true bro

[@lorichenoweth4481]

Imagine you are an entire alien race with thousands of weapons that could eradicate TUNGSTEN, and then get ended by one dude one shot gun and one rocket launcher in 14 AND A HALF MINUTES.

[@Hurblat]

That's the power of the crush missiles. Having double C and switching between the weapons while firing does the most damage in the game.

[@ilikegameswithnopcplayersc6630]

What about H homing missiles u dont have to aim I think C and H are my 2 best favourite guns in contra

[@route87restaurant25]

@@ilikegameswithnopcplayersc6630 weak damage....

[@pedroaugustomascarenhasmen5420]

@@route87restaurant25 weak damege?WEAK DAMEGE!!!FOCK YOU!! PISA SHIT?!?!

[@ZephniStrife]

Dude could you let me know what finger setup you use on the controller? I've been using index and middle finger on fire and switch weapon, and thumb for jump. And then a slightly different setup for above view stages... but in both I still don't feel like I'm getting maximum output! What do you use?

[@Hurblat]

​@@ZephniStrife I'm using index finger on Y and B, middle finger on X, ring finger on R. For overhead stages I'm using the standard controller grip.

[@Valhallen002]

the 3rd level is easily one of the best in video game history

[@KryfiniteDreamering]

Totally agree! Also, nice profile picture :)

[@Valhallen002]

thanks :D

[@miamimagicians]

this game is amazing for its time!

[@botchbud]

yeah level 3 is the shit!!

[@Momo-bh8jn]

absolutely

[@presssack]

You Sir, know how to play Contra.

[@TheWickerMan1981]

@idiotic salt git gud

[@themainearmory1862]

We now need emulators and save states.

[@kathreptis]

@@themainearmory1862 git gud

[@MrCoconuts64_Lum69]

But can he do metal slug

[@ilikegameswithnopcplayersc6630]

@Buddy Jesus I know right

[@screwboy666]

I love how your sprite fucks the exploding robot at the 3:15 mark lmao. That's the mark of a badass right there in and of itself lmao! Hypothetical high fives dude

[@amalditapilula]

This guy dedicated his life to this game. Amazing play

[@irfanimp]

The old games were masterpieces of art. They were made with enthusiasm and were more fantastic. Just like old Hollywood movies. As technology increased, mechanicalness increased, spirit and art disappeared.

[@marcuslyles4999]

Man you made this look EXTREMELY easy, GREAT GAMEPLAY🙌

[@Hurblat]

The hitbox of the character is smaller than the actual sprite when climbing on those rails, and I use this to get as close as possible without dying. You can verify this yourself by inching forward pixel by pixel until the sprites overlap. I updated the description for this video with an explanation of the fireball scenario. That should give you a better idea of what is going on. The fire on the ground can kill you, but not after that last rail. That's also easily verified.

[@ilikegameswithnopcplayersc6630]

Oh u were only 20sec from record still nice job:) PS what do u mean by hitbox im not a pro at this although I play it

[@nightowl8363]

@@ilikegameswithnopcplayersc6630 it basically means how close you can get before the game registers damage.

[@boorhaave5880]

Great run. I also love this game and it's great that people like yourself are keeping the memory of these great games alive

[@shortcake420]

I love this game so damn much! Thanks for the fast run! You the real MVP! 👍🏻👏🏼❤️

[@Dad42]

Damm!and I thought I perfected this game. I can finish on hard without using a continue;but not losing a single life;I have mad respect to this person.😮👊

[@NeoArcadiaSWGAT]

So impressive it's scary.

[@shadycipher2923]

the third level in this contra is honestly the best for me as a kid💕❣️ and that background so much nostalgia❣️

[@christophereolon4249]

All my childhood memories blowing in 15 min! Great job dude so much memories in this game. I did retro gaming on this not so long ago:)

[@Spacecoke]

Back in the day i could do this with one life but not anymore. Seriously impressive run. To this day i still think the speeder bike/missile level is one of the most genius level designs ever created.

[@kayin4o8]

Up vote for pose @1:34

[@ShahidR82]

I always used to do that gun pose there lol

[@stokesaster]

that is a requirement

[@dtimbs84]

One of my favorite games of all time. And U Sir Are The Master

[@spooky3409]

The final lvl has got to be my favorite because of how they put in most of the bosses from the Contra series and put them all in one lvl

[@bradcallahan3546]

That’s called being lazy

[@evanseifert8858]

@@bradcallahan3546 More like fanservice.

[@CarlosRamirez-rk9td]

Cada que veo este juego, la nostalgia invade mi mente.

[@jeremythevirushuang6303]

You played this better than anyone I know and I thought I was good back in the day. Wow! 👍👍

[@J0rg3proofs]

Stage 3 music is out of this world

[@Brokout]

Wow, I knew the old run needed improving but this way exceeded my expectations, well done!

[@DanielAlbino_Dan_Braveheart]

Amazing gameplay!! Congratulations, man!!

[@huangsteve8117]

Best version of Contra! Great speed run!

[@evoson5229]

I remember being so proud to tell my friends I completed this game in 26 minutes.

[@josefarrington]

Man those pixel level precision movements.

[@TheRealMark85IronMan]

You sir are a MASTER KING BAWSE in my book! I salute to you!

[@78razors]

Blasted himself through the game like an absolute Boss! Well done!!

[@bryancesar4603]

Que crack mae jamas en la vida lo hubiera pasado tan rapido y sin que me mataran; You´re a pro, i´d never have passed the game so fast or without deaths

[@mikeymcflyhd]

for real the music really captured late 80s and 90s action movie theme music

[@LakeVermilionDreams]

HOLY CRAP I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT END BOSS CLIMBING CARAPACE PART!!! In how many decades... I used to beat this game on Normal so many times but never have on Hard! Great job, your record seems to have stood for a long while! Time to see how someone possibly shaved 30 seconds off of it!

[@lyrenventazal1823]

In Japan Version we can see real ending even in normal mode.

[@thefrickinww2miner]

@@lyrenventazal1823 yeah i think he means the last boss suddenly charging for one last fight not sure tho

[@omegarugal9283]

The "C" (crush or whatever is called) is overpowered, a couple of rounds do massive damage...

[@Drewskiie]

Its cause he switches them while shooting. That disperses a lot more wounds at once

[@boorhaave5880]

It's the left right switching that does all the damage. The game is even harder without this trick

[@lowlifeEK]

i signed into my account just to tell you...awesome job. this is one of my absolute favorite games and i saw with a big ass smile the whole time watching. props to you homie!

[@danwoodward1527]

Ahh memories. My friend and I played this constantly when we were kids had had a goal to win the hardest setting without dying. One day we accomplished the feat and it was a conclusion to a great summer. Definitely took longer than 14 minutes for us though, lol.

[@Gfunk839]

Dude your skill is legendary!! Such a difficult game this!!

[@KarlSturmgewher]

That is one hell of a trick you did. I gotta try your method next playthrough on my Switch.

[@matthiasv6608]

I never made it to the final boss. But the HP of that brain are insanly high. Well played and thanks!

[@kumiliarostreamsarchives3079]

IT Was Really an impressive speed run ! Gg

[@seekerfound9150]

great run man, it's nice to see people flying circles around games that used to frustrate me lol

[@idzik28]

I love the defiling of the bosses in the top down levels.

[@ouqod]

This is amazing considering it took me 3 hours to get past the first green castle

[@frankhenzel5049]

this is so insane I can't get passed the second level on easy with 7 lives

[@colinbaker5781]

¿Frank? henzel wow you suck

[@jondoe384]

@@colinbaker5781 LOL

[@rlolalleskapot]

3:15 LMAO

[@TreyDongzz]

You destroyed my whole childhood in 15 minutes lmao

[@shadowstorm1989]

"I am heavy weapons guy, and THIS is my weapon!"

[@i_am_a_music_maker5212]

I love this art style

[@Danisu82]

Wow, great! I cleared this game on Hard (single player) for the first time last week, never tried before, only two players!

[@chrism1518]

I’ve only beaten Contra 3 on Easy with only a single life and no continues remaining. Great job.

[@TheOriginalVersatile]

You made it look easy

[@rodrigocasas2484]

Buen Vídeo, juegas muy bien. Excelente Juego !!!

[@alexsilva28]

My reaction through this video went basically like this: Excuse me sir. Uh excuse me? EXCUSE ME?! EXCUUUUUUSE MEEEEE?!

[@Zoroasterisk]

1:33 This guy knows what's up OK So I knew the C-Missiles were good, but I really had now clue. I have got to step up my game

[@starman69]

Okay this performance was excellent!

[@jayfizzzle6868]

Rapidly Alternating between the Crush gun and the Flame thrower kills the skeleton boss even quicker..he don't even get a chance to shoot at you

[@Alex-pm6je]

I remember playing this game fun times. Loved it.

[@inconceivablejay3890]

N I thought my uncle was nice at this game.... You are invincible my friend 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Michael-cz6ob]

6:33 what an epic boss entrance

[@Wolpher]

Are U A god?

[@route87restaurant25]

Great gameplay

[@Tailina5874]

Damn you´re a badass O_O!

[@Hurblat]

If you double tap L or R in the overhead stages, you will spin faster. If you do this while in the spinning sand you will stand still (or spin very fast if done in the other direction).

[@SpeedrunInternational]

Riktig bra! Fullständigt lysande!

[@samimermer1982]

that pose when the bomber comes in at stage one was exactly me and my brothers pose.

[@GustavoHuamanrB]

Vaya que es bueno hacer un SPEEDRUN para este vídeojuego Contra III y estoy sorprendido de sin morir algunos niveles. Yo también hago SPEEDRUN se mis juegos que tengo aparte de este juego 🎉🎉

[@fabiopalma4429]

Imagine being in a war, simply running forward with a machine gun killing everybody, without stopping or anything... boss

[@hojoworks3d]

I don't care who has the record! Hurblat is one of the greatest button mashers of all time!

[@diegodias1998]

If there's an alien invasion on our world, I hope that you can come to our rescue.

[@TotalBru7us]

Awesome. That C gun is soo powerful i juss now notice :)

[@omegarugal9283]

is not just the C, he keeps swapping between both arms to fire rockets continously, takes advantage of the fact that you can fire rigth away after swapping arms... i use a similar trick in Cuphead (yes it works there too)

[@romulorodrigues2433]

@@omegarugal9283 worked, before it was patched

[@jasonnallrichard]

Lazer is way stronger. The crunchers are good and have distance. But I used to beat this game much faster with laser. He killed most bosses in a few seconds. But even on hard with laser it takes more skill but kills them much faster.

[@tron_the7the9]

jason nall you are very wrong

[@ilikegameswithnopcplayersc6630]

@@jasonnallrichard me bro tried doing it with a laser it didint work so u are wrong

[@Mario12267]

the best speedrun !!

[@waynewynnx7976]

10:35 I see what you did there ;) Funny moves though whenever he's waiting.

[@Shadowstar1311]

This game is the best. And this run was legendary.

[@metroidmaster88]

Deaqthless category is always cooler than category with deaths. This is one most awesome speedrun ever maded. How ever here is faster runs, but im not like watch those deaths.

[@yosoyignacio1]

Nice going!

[@vinaykanyal8651]

Great paly on hard level, 2&5 stage took no time at all... really graet play

[@MerpLand]

you are the best player of Contra Alien Wars!!!!! Eres Lo Mejor Amigo!!! Quisiera Ser Como Tu!!! :D

[@TheSuperSNES]

Third time watching. Still just as amazing.

[@zaladzandwich9854]

Amazing, simply amazing. I literally laughed out loud half the time. You have made my day!

[@hermestrismegistus3417]

1:34 haha I would always do that here when I was a kid, felt like such a badass lmao

[@khlothostonney5760]

everytime i see or remember this game i comeback and think of the NES pirate version. absolute masterpiece! i didnt even know NES was capable of doing the things it did, but most importantly its the first ever game to get me into survival horror game genre. for the people who never experienced this jewel; It was more minimalist, very good graphics, music and design. but the minimalist and 8bit graphics made it horrifying at times, as a kid, hard to explain it now.

[@Hurblat]

Hey thanks! Really appreciate it :)

[@adviltasteslikecandy6579]

The game really didn't stand a chance. Wow. Bravo.

[@TKDiniz1]

Directed by Michael Bay

[@Tushikakito]

Awesome, gj!

[@cloudchaser8297]

I smell a invincible code. That pose was the best tho

[@enriquegomez8114]

More like an ultra damage code.

[@6ixfoa320]

It is. It's a couple times he was suppose to b hit. I appreciate the gameplay tho

[@isaacman4157]

@@6ixfoa320The description says they didn’t use any cheats, and even says how the precise the hitboxes can be before getting damaged.

[@6ixfoa320]

@isaacman4157 o yea u right... people never lie

[@isaacman4157]

@@6ixfoa320 Well, people do. People fake speedruns a lot of the time. They provided a link for an emulator screenshots of the scripts that represent the hitbox, and they don't match the entirety of the sprite.

[@Carthunder1983]

I tought this game was not even perfect score but this guy prove. Us wrong

[@Pix3l_Pr1ncess]

I just watch this video in aw 0_0 Amazing

[@Pix3l_Pr1ncess]

Very Very impressive 0_0

[@PeruvianPotato]

While Zallard1 is the king of Punch Out, this guy is the king of Contra

[@spoffproduction]

I guess he never played it. I did, and your video blew my mind. I'm able to finish the game on Hard. But, you made me say "what the hell!?" a lot of time while I was watching it. You really attacked aggressively!

[@indiacha]

The last Boss is kinda scary with that visuals & sound.

[@damianclaymore7861]

Es un TAS! Nadie puede jugar tan bien.

[@elrockeroxdblak3854]

MASTER!!!!!

[@blank9870]

Phenomenal gamer! Ya must of know this game inside out!

[@delaronpal]

Watching so I’ll know how the game ends since I’ll never make it

[@justingarssacoche]

On easy and normal it isn't all that hard

[@rockid7970]

Welll... It's not THAT hard... It's all about learning the enemy patterns and tricks to pass some of the harder parts...

[@hernandezluis531]

tuve buena infancia :')

[@SpeedyEric1]

12:21- That tenticle thing reminds me a lot of Lord Zedd from Power Rangers.