Every Contra Game, Ranked

There is no gamer today that hasn't at least heard of the Contra series. For many, the early Contra games were among the first few video games they've ever played, and the first ones they fell in love with. This "run and gun" shooter series is a staple and an innovator in the genre, with most of the games in the series garnering positive reception.

As with many video game series, however, some of the games in the Contra franchise don't hold up to its reputation. While most of the games have achieved legendary status, some fans feel aren't up to par with what the series is known for. With that in mind, here is every video game in the Contra series, ranked from worst to best.

Updated April 13th, 2024, by Evan Regan: While the series has faded from the spotlight since its heyday in the 1990s, Contra remains one of the most legendary names in video games. This series, once praised for its tough-as-nails combat and jaw-dropping boss fights would be right at home with the sensibilities of modern gamers. It's no surprise, then, that developer Wayforward has released a brand-new Contra title - Contra: Operation Galuga - to try and get the franchise back into the public conversation. With a new Contra game on the market, that meant this list was incomplete, and so it has been updated to feature the latest game in the Contra franchise and rank it amongst its peers.

15 C: The Contra Adventure

The Easiest Game In The Series

C: The Contra Adventure is the eighth title in the series and was released on the PlayStation console. It is by far the most negatively received Contra title. A lot of people dismissed the game for its boring gameplay and for not capturing the essence of the earlier titles.

Some also argue that this Contra game is way easier than its predecessors, and that's mainly due to the main character having an actual health bar rather than the standard life icons the series is known for.

14 Contra: Legacy Of War

The First Entry Developed Outside Of Konami

• Platforms: PlayStation, Sega Saturn
• Release Date: November 29, 1996
• Developer: Appaloosa Interactive
• Genre: Thirs-person shooter

Contra: Legacy of War is the seventh Contra game and the first one to come out on the PlayStation 1. It is also the first Contra title to not have been developed by Konami. This fact is ultimately what a lot of players bring up when discussing how the title is one of the worst Contra games ever published.

While it utilized the PS1's 3D capabilities, many still found its visual aspects unattractive. Many have also pointed out how broken the gameplay mechanics were, which destroys what so many players loved about the earlier games.

13 Contra: Rogue Corps

The Beginning Of Modern Contra

Contra: Rogue Corps is the fourteenth game in the series and its most recent title as of 2021. Despite being the most recent title, and having access to modern engines and innovations, this Contra title failed to receive the praise its predecessors did.

This is due to the game's restrictive gameplay, which a lot of players feel contradicts the essence of the earlier titles, and its bland graphics, despite being released in 2019. The game felt like a half-baked attempt at a Contra revival, and it rubbed fans the wrong way.

12 Contra Force

The First Stumble In Contra's Legacy

• Platforms: NES
• Release Date: October 1992
• Developer: Konami
• Genre: Run and gun

Contra Force is the fifth title in the series. As one of the earliest Contra titles, which had thus far been stellar, Contra Force had a lot to live up to. Ultimately, the fifth Contra title ended up being its worst so far at the time it was released.

A lot of players noted how unresponsive and heavy the gameplay feels. It was also plagued with issues where the game would slow down whenever there were enemies on the screen, which for a game in this genre - and with this degree of difficulty - was a massive issue.

11 Neo Contra

The First Contra Game To Go Isometric

• Platforms: PlayStation 2
• Release Date: October 19, 2004
• Developer: Team Neo Kijirushi
• Genre: Run and gun

Neo Contra, the tenth game in the series, departed from the traditional side-scroller perspective of the franchise. Instead, the game mainly uses an isometric top-down point of view with multidirectional shooting. It also occasionally uses a third-person shooter perspective, something already familiar to the series.

Despite steering away from something traditional to the series, many players felt the game kept what made Contra popular. It had fast-paced combat, responsive controls, and over-the-top action, all of which were utilized to great effect.

10 Contra: ReBirth

A Memorable Contra Entry On The Wii

• Platforms: Nintendo Wii
• Release Date: September 7, 2009
• Developer: M2
• Genre: Run and gun

Contra: ReBirth is the twelfth game in the series and was released on the WiiWare. When it was released in 2009, a lot of players felt like the game was an homage to the early Contra titles. The game felt very similar to the early games in the series, most especially Contra III.

A lot of players enjoyed the game for its solid and responsive combat, and for utilizing everything the series is beloved for. It had incredible bosses and was reasonably challenging, everything one expects from a Contra title.

9 Operation C

The Series' First Handheld Title

• Platforms: Game Boy, Game Boy Color
• Release Date: February 1991
• Developer: Konami
• Genre: Run and gun

Operation C is the third Contra game and was released for the Nintendo Game Boy, making it the series' first handheld title. Despite the hardware limitations of the Game Boy, Konami managed to fit a Contra title into their portable device and make it exciting and action-packed.

Operation C played almost exactly like the previous two Contra titles, for better and for worse. It used layouts, models, and even music from the earlier games, which is one of this title's most common criticisms. Regardless, it was still mostly well-received by those who managed to play it, fans of the series and newcomers alike.

8 Contra 4

Contra's Foray Onto The Nintendo DS

• Platforms: Nintendo DS, Windows Phone, Android
• Release Date: November 13, 2007
• Developer: WayForward Technologies
• Genre: Run and gun

Contra 4 is the eleventh game in the series. It was released on the Nintendo DS in 2007, making it the first handheld Contra title since 1991. It continued the narrative Contra, Super Contra, and Contra III followed, and its gameplay system is incredibly similar to those titles as well.

Many considered Contra 4 to be the series returning to its roots. Its gameplay, themes, and everything in between are extremely reminiscent of the early Contra games. For these reasons, and for doing them right, the game was positively received.

7 Contra: Shattered Soldier

Konami's Return To The Series

• Platforms: PlayStation 2
• Release Date: October 22, 2002
• Developer: Team Kijirushi
• Genre: Run and gun

After the failure of Contra: Legacy of War and C: The Contra Adventure, which were both developed by Appaloosa Interactive, Konami decided to take back the reins and publish the next title themselves, while giving fledgling developer Kijirushi Games development duties. The result of this effort is Contra: Shattered Soldier, the ninth game in the series.

As if to correct the wrongs of the previous two titles, Contra: Shattered Soldier returned to its roots. It once again used the traditional 2D side-scroller formula with fast-paced action and considerable difficulty. In the end, the game was praised for returning to what made the series successful, and doing it properly. This title is also notorious for being one of the hardest games in the series.

6 Contra: Operation Galuga

The Most Modern Contra Game To Date

Considering it's only been four years since Rogue Corps, the Contra series is practically on a comeback relative to its 9-year-long absence in the previous decade. Contra: Operation Galuga brings the series to modern consoles, and acts a something of a "soft" reboot of the franchise, even as it drives the Contra brand forward into the future.

The term "soft" is key there. This is still a new Contra game by every measure. However, several levels and boss fights take heavy inspiration from classic examples in the series. However, which these may be familiar on the surface, the developers at Wayforward took care to ensure that they put their own updated spin on each of them. Couple that with some of the series' most varied (if not overly challenging) combat, and outside of its uninspired story and disappointing graphics, this is the brand new Contra game that fans of the series have been waiting for.