Alright, here is a quick one. Contra generally means a lot to old and feable gamers like me out there. Contra practically defined a genre. We used to drop tons of quarters into the arcade machine and played the hell out of it when it hit the NES. We first learned of the "Konami Code" from the old game and learned what it was like to actually have fun while a game demolished us. This game has some history.

Like many other games and genres, the 32-bit generation was not too kind to a game like Contra. Konami actually made two attempts at the series on the PSX which were generally not well liked to say the least by gamers. Like the Castlevania series, Konami has proven that you can still make an awesome game in 2-D, while still expanding the boundaries of the genre, or at least making a damn good game.

Contra is a pure action game. Sure, there is a little bit of story thrown in, and it is actually pretty good compared to what we used to get, but that isn't the point. You are one man, (or a man and woman in co-op mode) against an alien and mecha horde of evil. If it moves, shoot it. If it doesn't move, try shooting it anyway. That is what Contra is about. Simple... pure and most of all, fun! This game is made for the fans of the series. If you hated Contra on the SNES, there's a good chance that you will hate this game even more.

The play mechanics in Contra: Shattered Soldier are 2-D all the way. You can shoot in eight directions, jump, hold your gun at a certain angle while moving or freely move your gun around while standing still. You also have a choice of 3 weapons at all times, with each of them having a power-up shot. This is one of the main differences between this game and the classic games, however it does not take away from the feel of the game at all in my opinion. Also added in the mix is a Hit Rate meter which helps you unlock hidden treats upon completing levels. Certain enemies and boss fights add to the Hit Rate up to 100%. Figuring out what makes up the Hit Rate and living to hit everything will take you a little while to say the least.

Why will it take a while? I'm sure you have heard it everywhere and I'll say it here just to hammer it home. The game is DAMN hard. I'm still reeling from the beating I took in Ikaruga on the Dreamcast when this game shows up. I now know what Beecher felt like on the first season of Oz. Holy hell this game will make you it's prison bitch. It is kind of refreshing to play a game like this though. The game is hard, however, with practice, you can do it. It isn't like a lot of games were back in the day which were not only difficult, but featured piss poor control as well. Contra controls like a dream and even the more difficult control additions are easily accessible after a single game.

The graphics are an awesome surprise in this game. I really didn't expect them to be as good as they turned out to be. I did not think they would suck, or anything, but I really didn't expect it to turn out the way it did. What we are treated to are very detailed 3-D polygons of aliens, mechs and vehicles which are either jaw dropping slick looking or just flat out disgusting. Environments are lavishly detailed and even a little interactive for good measure. The sound is also decent, with plenty of explosions and excellent music which really fits the mood of the game.

The best thing about Contra, though, is the gameplay. Sure, it's hard, and sure, it's dated, but I still feel that there is a need for a game like this every once in a while. There's nothing better than blasting away at an unyielding swarm of aliens while you're hanging from a missile with one hand. How can you beat that? The boss battles are generally the focus of this game and are all about pattern memorization. The bosses are always impressive and sometimes will even disgust you. Unless you are one of those people who get off on vomit. More power to you I guess in that case.

Overall, Contra: Shattered Soldier is for fans of days gone by. I'm not sure if I could recommend this game to someone who started cutting their teeth on Metal Gear Solid. Newer gamers might find the gameplay too simplistic and might not get the appeal. I'd recommend at least a rental for this title though, just to check it out if nothing else. I love the game, and have been a long time fan of the run and gun genre. This has it all if you've been missing that old school feeling in your games.