Contra

A run-and-gun about two commandos fighting an alien army on foot and from behind.

Konami · 1–2 hrs

Difficulty

A run-and-gun that still teaches screen control. Spread gun is the run; laser is the boss answer. Two players is the intended difficulty. The Konami code is a joke you should use until the patterns stick.

Tips

Start here
Konami code, then Spread
Title screen: Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start (plus Select for two players). Grab Spread (S) and protect it. Don't trade a death for a Falcon when you already have Spread.
Advanced
Lay down on the turrets
The base stages want you prone. Shoot the core, not the scenery. In the waterfall, the safe platform is the one the enemy just left — not the one you want.

Walkthrough

Walkthroughs that already exist

Written guides and videos are listed separately. The first time a game is opened, the web is searched once. Later visits reuse that result. Six of each show here.

The first visit searches the web. Rate a result from 1 to 5 so the next person can skip the wait.