CONTRA FORCE
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RELEASE INFORMATION
Native Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System
Media/Formats: Cartridge
Developer: Konami
Publisher: NTSC-J: Cancelled*
NTSC-U: Konami
PAL: Unreleased
Release:NTSC-J: Cancelled*
NTSC-U: September 30, 1992
PAL: Unreleased
OVERVIEW
Contra Force is a departure from previous titles in the Contra series, in both plot and gameplay. In fact, it is not a genuine Contra game (see Trivia). Rather than aliens, the antagonists of this game comprise a terrorist organisation named D.N.M.E. Fighting this group are not Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, but 4 new characters with no prior relationship to the aforementioned heroes or the Contra series. They are Burns, Smith, Iron and Beans.
The exact details of the plot are unclear due to the confusing dialog in-game and inconsistencies in the manual (the latter of which is a common trait among games published by Konami of America during this era).
There are similarities in gameplay to Contra, including gun upgrades, death system (1 hit and loss of upgrades), roll-up jump, 8-way aiming, 2 player simultaneous play, side-scrolling (and overhead) perspective and bosses at the end of the stages. Divergences can be found in these similarities, however. For example, downward diagonal aiming fire is performed only while in the air (jumping or dropping down). Further, the player’s jump height can be adjusted based on how long the jump button is held.
Conversely, the game also features several distinctions from the Contra series. Gun powerups are acquired by accumulating briefcase pickups, which appear out of destructible stage elements (pipes, crates, etc.). Rather than fighting large-scale machine and alien bosses, the player fights mostly human bosses that take numerous shots to defeat.
The most notable difference is the ability to select between 4 new characters (which can be considered a first for the series); the player can also switch between the characters during gameplay through the pause menu. The pause menu also allows switching between 1 and 2 player modes. Each character has a different set of guns and their own set of lives, as well as performance attributes (ex: maximum jump height).
In 1 player mode, Game Over occurs if just one of them loses all of their lives; in 2 player mode, however, another team member can be assigned to the player once their original character loses all of their lives. Another interesting feature is the ability to summon one of the other 3 members as a CPU-controlled assistant for a limited amount of time. Unlike the earlier Contra titles, the player can also backtrack in the stage; enemies and destructible elements respawn, however.
Many aspects of Contra Force hinder its quality and playability. It has been criticized for not being an actual Contra title, only using the name, and suffering from poor design. The biggest issue with the gameplay is the massive amounts of slowdown present during play. Although this is due to the busy environment (ex: destructible elements throughout the stages), many other NES titles do not exhibit such a level of lag. The presence of even a single enemy can cause the frame rate to drop. There are other issues, such as questionable level design and the new powerup system.
One particular area of criticism is the third stage of the game, which many players consider too lengthy and features the most cumbersome jumping puzzles of the game. These jumping sequences are exacerbated by the unresponsive controls. As a balance, players are provided unlimited continues. Although the sound effects are generally weak, especially compared to previous games, the soundtrack is a redeeming quality.
If not for these flaws, Contra Force may have been a great side-scrolling run-n-gun game, especially if it retained its original title, Arc Hound (see the Trivia section for more information). It features several innovative and creative ideas with the stages’ set pieces, destructible stage elements, differentiated playable characters, etc.
Covers:
GAMEPLAY SPECIFICS
Stages:
Note: These stage names are unofficial.
Stage 1: Warehouse
Stage 2: Harbor
Stage 3: Mati Building
Stage 4: Aircraft Rumble
Stage 5: Headquarters
FULL PLOT
NTSC-U:
Set in 1992, the fictional Neo City has been taken over by a terrorist organization, D.N.M.E. Their most recent activity has been the kidnapping of the chief commissioner of Neo City. Called to the rescue of the chief commissioner and neutralization of D.N.M.E. is a team of 4 National Special Forces members known collectively as the C-Force. The team consists of Burns (the leader), Smith, Iron and Beans.
In the C-Force’s most recent lead, Burns’ is instructed by his informant, Fox, to meet him at the warehouse of the city’s docks. Upon arrival, the team discover Fox murdered and they’re in the center of an ambush. Surviving the shoot-out at the docks, the C-Force is taunted by the terrorists throughout their chase. After several fights, the team manages to track down and kill most of the terrorist members, culminating in the prevention of an attempted bombing.
Days later, the C-Force are attacked at their own headquarters by the leader and the remainder of D.N.M.E. The terrorist organization is ultimately defeated, but the celebration is short-lived. The chief commissioner has not been rescued and his location is still unknown. Additionally, Burns is haunted by the feeling that the worst is yet to come. Regardless, he will always be ready to fight in the face of a new threat.
Characters
Burns – protagonist; playable
Smith – protagonist; playable
Iron – protagonist; playable
Beans – protagonist; playable
Fox – protagonist; non-playable character; was the informant for the Blue Group task force
D.N.M.E. – antagonist organization; consists of various appointed leaders; most recently kidnapped the city’s chief commissioner
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SOUNDTRACK
•Intro
•Player Select
•Pause
•The Dewerdye Warehouse
•U.S.S. Unkmy Battleship
•SheeShee Towers Construction Site
•Thunderwolf Headquarters
•C-Force Headquarters
•C-Force Headquarters (Reprise)
•Battle With D.N.M.E.
•D.N.M.E. Leader
•Mission Cleared
•Intermission
•This Situation Has Ended
•Game Over
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OTHER VERSIONS
Prototypes:
•Famicom Sample
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