Contra
Contra is a 1987 run and gun game developed by Konami in which one or two players battle through alien-infested jungles, waterfalls, and fortresses as commandos Bill and Lance. Blasting through waves of enemies, players collect weapon power-ups such as the spread gun, laser, machine gun, and flamethrower, dropped by flying capsules or hidden pods, to survive the relentless assault.
The game combined side-scrolling action stages with pseudo-3D into-the-screen tunnel sections and imposing alien boss fights, all demanding quick reflexes and memorisation, since a single hit meant instant death. Its cooperative two-player mode and high difficulty made it a mainstay of arcades and living rooms alike, and the NES port was immortalised by the famous Konami Code that granted thirty lives.
Contra launched an enduring series including Super C and Contra III: The Alien Wars and remains a benchmark for the genre. The original and its sequels are available through Konami retro collections and emulation for fans of intense co-op action.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Contra, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
| Alternative | Price | Steam Deck | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntdown Indie | € 19,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Blazing Chrome Indie | € 16,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Contra: Operation Galuga | € 39,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Contra Anniversary Collection | € 19,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
Huntdown Indie
€ 19,99A cover-based run and gun soaked in 80s action-movie style, co-op included.
Huntdown runs on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
Blazing Chrome Indie
€ 16,99An indie run-and-gun built as a direct homage to Contra and Metal Slug.
Blazing Chrome runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Contra: Operation Galuga
€ 39,99An official modern remake that reimagines the original run-and-gun action with fresh visuals.
Contra: Operation Galuga runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Contra Anniversary Collection
€ 19,99Ten classic Contra games including the arcade original and Super C, with save states.
Contra Anniversary Collection runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
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