Contra (NES) Playthrough

A playthrough of Konami's 1988 run-and-gun action game for the NES, Contra.
In this video I play through three loops of the game. The second begins at 17:57, and the third at 34:58.
In the eighties, Konami had a seemingly supernatural knack for creating groundbreaking video games that defined their respective genres. Gradius set the bar for shoot 'em ups, Castlevania became the high-water mark for action-platformers, and Contra became the defacto gold standard for the run-and-gun shooter.
Contra was one of the most popular NES games ever released in the west. Every kid with an NES wanted to play it, and every kid who had played it raved about it to anyone who would listen. For years after its release, it was virtually impossible to find an available copy to rent for a weekend, and for a long while, stores sold out of copies so quickly that it was only by a sheer stroke of luck that you could snag a copy for yourself.
It was the first game I ever played of its type on the NES as a kid, and I couldn't possibly guess at the sheer number of hours I sank into it before I ever managed to beat it without the 30 extra lives code.
It was the ultimate symbol of what home gaming could be in the late 1980s - despite the limitations imposed by the hardware, the Nintendo Contra was the Contra to play. However lacking the graphics were compared to its coin-op counterpart, it offered a far more satisfying experience overall. The controls were more responsive, the stages were expanded, the difficulty curve was smoothed out to make it more fair and accessible to the average gamer without sacrificing the challenge that the hardcore fans loved, and the music was significantly improved. It was also one of the NES's first fast-paced action games to deliver an uncompromised two-player co-op experience.
And you can't forget about the Konami code, or the super satsfying sound the spread gun makes as it demolishes everything in its path!
Contra is a fantastic game that's just as fun to play now as it ever was, and it stands out as one of the best games in the NES library. If you're a fan of classic gaming and haven't yet played this one, what could you possibly waiting for?
(Friendly tip: if you aren't playing on an NES, do yourself a favor and get a controller with a good d-pad. The mushy diagonals on PlayStation and Xbox controllers will get in the way and you'll get killed all too often because you couldn't duck something in time.)
_____________
No cheats were used during the recording of this video.
NintendoComplete (www.nintendocomplete.com/) punches you in the face with in-depth reviews, screenshot archives, and music from classic 8-bit NES games!

[@NintendoComplete]

This is 80s gaming at its best.

[@bryany6565]

Play the arcade at a roller slate rink???

[@OneRoomShed]

@NintendoComplete When I think of gaming, this is what I think of.

[@GBTwelveSixteen]

It's a shame it's never been made into a movie. Feels like it'd be too late for Arnie and Stallone to be starring but crazier things have happened.

[@LITTLE1994]

ONE of the best.

[@christopherthibeault7502]

"If you're a fan of classic gaming and haven't yet played this one, what could you possibly waiting for?" For the price to go down. I mean, with its rabid popularity and everyone's insistence on playing the thing to death, what are the odds of anyone finding a complete-in-box or unopened copy? Actually, I've played it at my uncle's house frequently. It's not the kind of game you can beat without the 30-life code when you only show up once per week, if that. That code made Contra's co-op angle sing, and it was probably a fluke that they left it in (or they kept it in after the reception that other games with it, like Gradius, had in the console market).

[@mahendrap1960]

0:06 Most badass explosion sound in the universe.

[@9b8ll]

I really love contra. ❤️ games back then were so simple. Less story, more ass kicking.

[@rjcupid]

This is one of those all time classic games where you remember exactly when and where you were the first time you played it. Masterpiece.

[@latinochico]

I remember exactly where I was the first time I finished the game. I was proud of myself.

[@ninjaguyYT]

I actually don't remember lol

[@jclkaytwo]

the game's really good, but I wouldn't go _that_ far

[@rjcupid]

@@jclkaytwo All of my friends would say so. If you are in your 40’s or older and experienced it when it came out I’m sure that there’s a good chance you would view this as a masterpiece. However, I respect your viewpoint and opinion. I would put games like Zelda, Mega Man 2, Castlevania and Metroid above it, but for me it’s really close.

[@jclkaytwo]

​@@rjcupid I just don't get that. I find contra to be a challenging and fun game, nothing more nothing less. it's good fun, but I'm not sure how "good fun" equates to "masterpiece". I had a good time, and it's a classic, but I don't remember or care exactly when and where I played it for the first time. that just seems like a really big leap to me. I'm not losing my mind over a game I had fun with and nothing more. I don't think any of those other games you named are anywhere near masterpieces either. they've all aged pretty poorly over the years and I'd take contra over all of them.

[@RetroGeek94]

Very hard game, but also one of the best games on the NES for sure and fun to play.

[@IskenderCaglarM41B441]

I used to think it's brutal back in the day but now I look at it and it's not that hard.

[@isd8894]

@@IskenderCaglarM41B441 It doesn't *look* hard here, because NintendoComplete is awesome, and hardly ever dies, which means he never loses the spread gun, the importance of which cannot be overstated. I dusted off my copy a couple of weeks ago, and at least for me, it was exactly as hard as I remembered it... 😂

[@angelarballo8696]

​@@isd8894lmao yea, as a kid I needed the Konami code. And now, as an adult, I still need it.😂

[@Tonjit41]

I remember beating this game while my dad was still alive. He died before I turned 6. I can't believe little me beat this game back then. I remember freaking out when I finally beat the alien lair.

[@HenryvKeiper]

Man, so many good memories of the game. Every musical track, every sound effect, every animation. One thing I recall the most was it was the only video game my dad and I would play together. I'd put in the code for oodles of lives, and we'd both just spend an hour playing it.

[@Dorian_Scott]

I played the sequels (Super C, Contra 3 & Hard Corps) but not this one. Still, this series is classic. The fast-paced action combined with some of the greatest video game OSTs make for a truly unforgettable experience.

[@IskenderCaglarM41B441]

You should play metal slug if you haven't.

[@Dorian_Scott]

@@IskenderCaglarM41B441 Oh, I have actually and they're loads of fun. I played them on the Neo-Geo Mini.

[@ganjagun0025]

​@@Dorian_Scottthat is not the same thing as playing it on the Neo Geo (I'm talking about on an emulator of course). The animation is off the chain good.

[@Harri927]

Contra is one of my top five favorite NES games of all time and it's still a masterpiece on the NES.

[@feiwong3634]

As a kid we played this non stop, one of my classics.

[@kspice1005]

Me, my brother, and cousins played this game and ended it hundreds of times. This is the only game they had and we would end it go outside and come back inside and play it again. We played through game at least 5 times a day and we never got tired of playing this. I believe nintendo had the most replayable games of all time

[@andresbravo2003]

It’s been 35 years since this game came out, and it’s quite brutal.

[@IskenderCaglarM41B441]

Still one of the best nes games ever made. This and super contra are lit. Spread gun is the best video game weapon ever.

[@jamesl.anderson1384]

I beat Contra before breakfast - James D. Rolfe

[@BeastCake1349]

Props to him for not using the code. I could never.

[@LITTLE1994]

One of the most, if not the most popular 3rd-party NES title. Contra defines the '80s era of action hero in video games. Hard as hell, though...

[@charlesbhepin6133]

Huh. Seeing it again now with an eye spoiled by modern indie gaming, I had severely underestimated how much of a technical and graphical achievement this game was. The sounds were super clear always, with each stage being so different with new mechanics. It gives an amazing illusion of depth with only so few colors and pixels allowed on the screen at any one time. They ruthlessly made the most out of the NES' limited hardware and the cartridge's rom capacity. Contra fit everything and many many hours of fun into mere _128 kilobytes_. It's the perfectly condensed form of every 80s action movie. (Also, thank you for the longer repeating playthrough for this video. It's kinda soothing to have playing in the background.)

[@jaydagamer1853]

Man, I could never beat this game without the extra life code and of course a second player

[@jakebello7988]

Can’t wait for Operation Galuga!

[@beaniegee5129]

Timeless classic game

[@SonicTheHedgehog17]

"Contra... those were the times..." as we say in Poland. Played this on my Pegasus so much I've tried to make runs without the usage of spread gun... and it went way slower than without it. Also, had some unfair deaths from stray bullets or those flamethrowers in Energy Zone, but it is still a fantastic classic. So glad I could replay it on PS4 with the Arcade Collection.

[@alexandruc.5647]

Used to finish this together with a friend when we were 5th grade, back in the 90s. We played it on a Famiclone, we had no idea at that point that the NES existed and the console we had was a clone of it. We also didn't know about the Konami code, so yeah, I beat the game numerous times with 3-4 lives. This game is like Tetris, it will absolutely never get old. It is so simple and adictive, and yet so complex to master.

[@jerryinohio1978]

This and double dragon are my two favorites.

[@thecunninlynguist]

Classic of classics. Better than the arcade version..I honestly didn't even know Contra / super c(ontra) were originally arcade games as a kid. Never saw them in the wild. I think every kid with an nes had contra. Still love going back to play it for a quick run.

[@Dennzyl]

back in the days i was like: "WTF?! this is the first level?!?! F this!" today i am a little more like: "yeah cool, nothing has changed!!!!"

[@defblinders9585]

Our living room- 1990. Me- "I'm getting the Spread Gun." Sister- "You ALWAYS get the Spread Gun! I want it!" Me- "Every time you get it you die right after and lose it! Take the flamethrower!" Sister- "No! It sucks!" Me- "YOU suck!" Sister- "MOM!!!" Me- "Big baby! Take the Spread Gun!"

[@paulrr5711]

Contra is in my top 3 favourite games to play. 👍🏽

[@duanemartin4958]

The thing that gets me? Is, that this had an arcade platform! And it, looked amazing!

[@Myky658_]

Never used the Konami code, beat the game? Of course, but I couldn’t do it in sub 16mins. This man’s a KING 👑

[@Alexiih.70]

This is my childhood, you guys dont know how i enjoyed this game in his moments, one of the best games of NES, recomended!

[@lunitaproductions8290]

Tried Legacy of war on the saturn and shut off the saturn and turned on the NES to play this

[@ps-lover8380]

Contra and super contra one of the best nes games

[@blues4509]

It's impossible to fail at creating one of the greatest games ever when you have both the Terminator and Rambo teaming up to save the world

[@jtsuave6125]

If I remember correctly 3 rapids and 3 spread is max , but Laser with 3 rapids was the strongest , so 2 players one spread and laser was a great combo thank you for the memories also the end boss killing the pods first and letting the heart beat will eventually destroy itself after so much time has passed you just stand there and can’t die

[@Sithno]

funny Story ..my 2 older cousin back in the tender yr of 1991 COULD NOT beat this game ..even with the 30lives code ..well after their Failed attempt on the last boss my brother and i asked to play they allowed us with the remark of "its ok they wont beat the boss" Karma was on my brother and my Side that day ..we won the game ..with out losing a life :)

[@migiiramet]

Thank you for uploading this.

[@ichithecinebreak]

Long live the operation galuga contra is back baby.

[@risboturbide9396]

Masterpiece! Thank you for this, cheers 🍻🍻

[@gamingzonepk]

Fantastic. 👍

[@donaldsmith8648]

Your a badass to take on this game ready player one style

[@jer8279]

You're so great at these games man. DAMN

[@NintendoComplete]

Thanks! :)

[@LunaTheWolf243]

Ооооо ностальгия классика обожаю её раньше играла мне понравилось музыка и боссы уровни все идеально лайк за это игру и прохождение

[@Ihsyed786]

The greatest game without a doubt and the best cheat code ever made 😂

[@shashikantwagh7571]

What cheat code

[@NintendoComplete]

​@@shashikantwagh7571The Konami code

[@rickn4301]

Was hoping you would put in the 30 lives code just because. But thanks for uploading. Good watch.

[@DerekLogan-ve3bw]

Contra super contra and Contra 3 the the aliens wars back in 1992 I was 21 years old

[@Nbrother1607]

Definitely one of the 8-bit games of all time

[@royalkumar795]

Ahh my childhood game, I used to play everyday with S power and 30 lives

[@g4340]

Can you imagine if they made a remake today? If they did, I hope theyd make it possible to play the game the way you play here, but also add the FPS (First Person Shooter) element to the game as well. Now THAT would be an AWESOME game! And make it so you can switch between the 2 at will. That would be a best seller right there.

[@TimeTraveler9091]

i was think about it around two days ago if i will play and upload it or no but here you are do it with your style 👌

[@ehsanjalalpour6]

One of the best game year 88

[@poethefallen1333]

Man I was so blown away by this game when I was a kid, and this is the lesser version compared to the Famicom version.

[@SolCresta3405]

Is it because of the new Expendables movie or the new Contra that was just announced?

[@bryany6565]

My brothers and I favorites game....

[@jimmybenyoucef4416]

Most addictive game ever❤

[@salamaraif1648]

The predator and Rambo were two big films in the 80s

[@samsplayground8646]

Manly game 😎

[@iamhere490]

Im surprised it took you this long to cover this game

[@poethefallen1333]

He did cover it like 4 years ago, but the superior Famicom version.

[@eamonn_s1180]

Jocko podcast 140 brought me here!

[@salvatorepurello]

Next time do contra using the Konami code to receive 30 lives

[@AndrewSouzaGames555]

Tenho orgulho de ter zerado isso

[@mounstursz]

Nice run

[@NintendoComplete]

Thanks!

[@sammyyo461]

The game is a timeless classic, no doubt!!! I actually prefer the Arcade original. It feels a bit more challenging & really like the extra graphical sprite work!!

[@solarflare9078]

I got to try the arcade original myself and I actually kind of prefer some aspects of it, like the faster pace (shorter stages and more action), the sound (beefy explosion sfx for example), and graphics (it's a bit greyish, but what late 80s arcade game wasn't? Besides, it looked better on an actual monitor, which is where I played it)

[@suicidebxmber1234]

The first game I finished.

[@laughingsoap2930]

It was a hard game for kids, but I can finished it with no death back then.

[@Des_Zee]

The original, and still the undisputed best 💯

[@solarflare9078]

The original is the arcade

[@nappsandnurture]

so much adrenaline in this game !

[@AndromedaGI]

Yo me lo pasaba sin frenar, en aquel momento no sabía que era speedrun, sin morir y con la S, y aún así lo seguía jugando teniendo más vida del límite.

[@superstaramyrosethehardcoreyt]

Treiffic video.

[@marcelpowell8854]

Let’s be real gane would be hot time you beat this one

[@Dnw15]

Salah satu game favorit ku❤

[@pistolpete667]

Point me to the direction of somebody doing guitar covers of this music

[@ericb.9488]

Bad ass!

[@user-bb9jh3vm3p]

Меня нравится игра это

[@fahriakalin5936]

“a few months ago I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions tell me that is true, but the facts and the evidence tell me it is not.”

[@PrekiFromPoland]

Aaand that's why the sequel is called Super C on the NES.

[@SummerNight-lh4ob]

Playing this game by yourself bold

[@nestorgonzalez6979]

Mi primer juego ha vuelto

[@Itsjustme1982]

I couldnt even beat this game with the infinite life hack haha

[@Monhamd1000]

You should play the fan translated Famicom version!

[@poethefallen1333]

He did a few years ago

[@Spider-Gekko957]

Where’s the Konami code

[@daltongigotsousa7191]

Meu primeiro jogo

[@ganjagun0025]

The Nintendo Famicom(Japanese version) was superior with the trees on the first stage blowing in the wind,they have snow blowing on the snow stage, the last stage has the walls moving and it looks like moving maggots. They also had cutscenes and a map. It was overall superior to me.

[@beaniegee5129]

Classic

[@christianboyce2070]

Really hard game that I used the Konami code.

[@senseicorey9979]

No shame in that

[@remesugamer]

This game is hard, but I finish him

[@marcelpowell8854]

Dodging everything but spread wasn’t easy

[@kascnef]

The Konami code

[@zhanefulp]

I thought you played this years ago?

[@NintendoComplete]

I did, but that recording was super blurry.

[@SSRN-2-CR-FLAMENGO]

[@jackschleich9475]

one time i beat it ten times just cause i was that bored

[@jackschleich9475]

but plenty times of 3 or 4 times in a row

[@joedawson9103]

My woman hated me playing this game.she is no longer with me

[@kennithyoung6306]

Break dance practice, KZbin

[@bryany6565]

Lmfao.... show boating so good at the game was press into the electric feild and and sream like aronld..... AarraawwaAaallaahhggghhhh.

[@paramoutarcanelegend]

Join arcane legend online from falconfists

[@MrSenokosec]

3 пеу

[@senseicorey9979]

If you had this and the first ninja turtles game as a child, your parents should have been investigated for child abuse.

[@charlesbhepin6133]

Huh. Seeing it again now with an eye spoiled by modern indie gaming, I had severely underestimated how much of a technical and graphical achievement this game was. The sounds were super clear always, with each stage being so different with new mechanics. It gives an amazing illusion of depth with only so few colors and pixels allowed on the screen at any one time. They ruthlessly made the most out of the NES' limited hardware and the cartridge's rom capacity. Contra fit everything and many many hours of fun into mere _128 kilobytes_. It's the perfectly condensed form of every 80s action movie.