COMPILATIONS
Contra Encyclopedia home page
Throughout the years, Konami and other video game companies released several collections/compilation packs that include one or more Contra titles. These compilations may be playable on the native platform, thus featuring re-releases. Alternatively, they may be designed for other systems, particularly of the current generation at the time of development/release; in this case, the compilations may feature ports of the games, through a form of emulation.
Select a compilation:
•The Hit Squad Arcade Collection 24
•Micro Club No. 6
•La Sélection
•The In-Crowd
•Special Action
•6 Super Hits
•Dynamite
•PC Hits No. 2
•Konami GB Collection Vol. 1
•Konami Collector’s Series: Castlevania & Contra
•Konami Live! Online Game Controller
•Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits
•Contra 4
•Konami Classics Vol. 1
•Konami Classics Vol. 2
•Nintendo NES Classic Edition
•Super NES Classic Edition
•Contra Anniversary Collection
•Sega Genesis Mini
•My Arcade Contra Pocket Player
THE HIT SQUAD ARCADE COLLECTION 24
Platforms: Amstrad CPC
Technically not a compilation in the true sense, as the games were individually released. Publishing company The Hit Squad issued secondary re-releases of their games under an Arcade Collection line. Distinct packaging designs were created for this edition, which is available only in tape format.
The version of Gryzor in this edition is identical, content-wise, to the original release.
Release:
Region: UK
Format: Tape
Featured Games:
•Gryzor
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MICRO CLUB NO. 6
Platforms: Amstrad CPC
Games from Ocean Software’s library were often re-issued in collection packs. Such numerous bundle releases ensured maximal distribution in order to reach a wider audience. The Micro Club series were released predominantly in tape format, although this edition is a disk release.
The version of Gryzor in this edition is identical, content-wise, to the original release. It is available on side B.
Release:
Region: France
Format: Disk
Featured Games:
•Gryzor
•Green Beret
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LA SÉLECTION
Platforms: Amstrad CPC
A compilation exclusive to French-speaking regions in Europe, La Sélection features 7 games developed by Ocean Software. It is available in tape and disk formats.
Tape:
Disk:
The version of Gryzor in La Sélection is identical, content-wise, to the original release. It is the second game on side A of tape 3 in the tape release, and side B of the disk release.
Release:
Region: France
Format: Disk, Tape
Featured Games:
•Gryzor
•Basket Master
•Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior
•Crazy Cars
•Salamander
•Target Renegade
•The Vindicator!
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THE IN-CROWD
Platforms: Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
The In-Crowd is another collection featuring titles from Ocean Software. It is notorious for the extensive number of variants that were released and distributed: In addition to covering the 3 principal home computer systems for which Ocean developed, multiple tape and disk format editions were also made for most of these.
Amstrad CPC
6 and 4 tape editions are available. Both have identical boxes, with the only difference being the 6-tape release includes the sticker indicating it as such.
6-tape format:
Gryzor is on tape 6, using sides A and B.
4-tape format:
ZX Spectrum
6 and 4 tape editions are available. Both have identical boxes, with the only difference being the 6-tape release includes the sticker indicating it as such.
6-tape format:
4-tape format:
Gryzor is the second game on tape 5, side A.
Commodore 64
6 and 4 tape editions are available. Both have identical boxes, with the only difference being the 6-tape release includes the sticker indicating it as such.
6-tape format:
4-tape and disk format:
The versions of Gryzor in The In-Crowd are identical, content-wise, to the original releases for all 3 home computers. In the disk release, it is available on disk 3, side A; in the 6-tape release, it is available on tape 5, side A.
Release:
Region: UK
Format: Disk (Commodore 64 only), Tape
Featured Games:
Amstrad CPC/ZX Spectrum
•Gryzor (Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum)
•Barbarian
•Combat School
•Crazy Cars
•Karnov
•Platoon
•Predator
•Target Renegade
Commodore 64
•Gryzor
•Barbarian
•Combat School
•Karnov
•Ninja
•Platoon
•Predator
•Target Renegade
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SPECIAL ACTION
Platforms: Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
Special Action is available in 2 variants. The UK-exclusive variant is under the Ocean label, while the French-exclusive one is under the Imagine label. The latter features Gryzor as one of its titles. Only the Amstrad CPC release is known to include a disk-based edition in addition to the tape edition; the other 2 home computer releases are known to be in tape format only.
Amstrad CPC
Tape:
Available on tape 1, side A.
Disk:
Available on side A.
ZX Spectrum (special thanks to Ordipedia for providing these images)
Gryzor is on tape 2, side A. It features both the 48K and 128K variants, in that order.
Commodore 64
Available on tape 2, side A.
The versions of Gryzor in these editions are identical, content-wise, to the original releases for all 3 home computers.
Release:
Region: France
Format: Disk (Amstrad CPC only), Tape
Featured Games:
Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
•Gryzor (Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64)
•Basket Master
•International Karate Plus
•Salamander
•Shao-Lin’s Road
•Target Renegade
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6 SUPER HITS
Platforms: Amstrad CPC
6 Super Hits is yet another French-exclusive, compilation of Ocean Software games. It is available in both tape and disk releases.
Disk:
Tape:
The version of Gryzor in this edition is identical, content-wise, to the original release. In the tape release, it is available on tape 1, side B; in the disk release, it is available on side B.
Release:
Region: France
Formats: Disk, Tape
Featured Games:
•Gryzor
•Basket Master
•Madballs
•Phantom Club
•Renegade
•Slap Fight
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DYNAMITE
Platforms: Amstrad CPC
Dynamite is intended to be the French-exclusive counterpart to the popular The-In Crowd compilation, with identical packaging for both tape and disk releases.
The version of Gryzor in this edition is identical, content-wise, to the original release. In the tape release, it is available on tape 5, side A; on the disk release, it is available on disk 1, side B.
Release:
Region: France
Format: Tape
Featured Games:
•Gryzor
•Combat School
•Crazy Cars
•Driller
•Karnov
•Platoon
•Predator
•Salamander
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PC HITS NO. 2
Platforms: PC DOS
PC Hits No. 2 is an extremely obscure disk-based, French-exclusive compilation pack for which a physical copy is virtually impossible to find. Only 1 is known to exist, presented in this section. It isn’t even certain if the packaging depicted is the original.
The version of Gryzor in this edition is identical, content-wise, to the original release.
Release:
Region: France
Format: Disk
Featured Games:
•Gryzor
•Arkanoid
•Green Beret
•Wizball
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KONAMI GB COLLECTION VOL. 1
Platforms: Game Boy, Game Boy Color
Game Boy (Japan):
Game Boy Color (Europe):
This collection features Operation C and boasts region-dependent platform exclusivity. In Japan, the collection was released only on the original Game Boy; in Europe, interestingly, it was made available for the Game Boy Color instead, renamed to Probotector.
The Japanese version, Contra, is essentially identical to the source material, only additionally featuring a screen border, courtesy of newly implemented Super Game Boy support.
Probotector, however, is unique in that it is the Japanese version with a modified title screen and a limited color palette. It is, therefore, the only uncensored Probotector game.
Featured Games:
•Contra (GB) / Probotector (GBC)
•Dracula Densetsu / Castlevania: The Adventure
•Gradius
•Konami Racing
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KONAMI COLLECTOR’S SERIES: CASTLEVANIA & CONTRA
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
The Hawaii division of Konami designed a compilation package of Konami’s NES titles for Windows, with the games’ data running through an emulator developed in-house. The set was released on disc in 2002.
2 of the included games are Contra and Super Contra. These versions are essentially identical in content to the original NES games, and emulate pretty accurately. Additional features to this release include limited adjustable settings for audio and controls, as well as instant save/load capabilities.
This 5-game collection would later be re-released digitally as part of GameTap’s classic games catalog. Yet another re-release would occur in 2020 by Konami themselves, through the GOG service (also digital).
Click here for more information about this collection.
Featured Games:
•Contra (1, 2)
•Super Contra/Super C (1, 2)
•Castlevania
•Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest
•Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse
•Jackal (game is present in the compilation’s data, but inaccessible by ordinary means)
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KONAMI LIVE! ONLINE GAME CONTROLLER
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
In 2006, Konami released USB game pads that, when connected, would grant access to an online portal to play ports of a selection of their arcade titles, including the original Contra. These versions, running on a form of emulation, would later be digitally released for XBox 360, as part of the XBox Live Arcade service. Therefore, the special graphical enhancements of the XBox 360 ports originated from this Windows version.
In a very unfortunate decision, absolutely no game data is actually present on the controller. It instead contains a small program and a unique digital key in order to access a private server from where the games’ data was downloaded, in an encrypted form. Even in the presence of the key, however, connection to the server is required for authentication.
Due to this design model, the inevitable shut down of the Konami Live! service resulted in players no longer being able to (re)install any of the games. The peripheral, as-is, serves no purpose anymore to new users and thus, purchasing a copy is not advised in the present day. Fortunately, the featured games’ broken encryption was bypassed in February of 2022, making it possible to play the games again.
Unlike other game pads, its firmware allows the button inputs to be recognized only in the featured arcade ports, rendering the game pad completely useless out-of-the-box for any other games.
Featured Games:
•Contra
•Gyruss
•Scramble
•Time Pilot
•Yie Ar Kung Fu
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KONAMI CLASSICS SERIES: ARCADE HITS
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Going under different titles according to release region, this compilation features an emulation of a selection of Konami’s arcade titles, including Contra. The level of settings configuration included in this collection is surprisingly high. Examples include screen ratio adjustment, control presets, gameplay settings (ex: difficulty) and even the ability to adjust DIP switch settings that affect the game.
Bonus content includes recordings of full playthroughs of each game, sound/music test and even original arcade cabinet artwork/backgrounds. Interestingly, setting the DS’ internal language to Japan loads the included games’ Japanese counterpart, where applicable. This includes Contra.
Featured Games:
•Contra (1, 2)
•Basketball
•Circus Charlie
•Gradius
•Horror Maze
•Pooyan
•RainbowBell
•Road Fighter
•Roc ‘N’ Rope
•Rush’n Attack
•Scramble
•Shao-Lin’s Road
•Time Pilot
•Track & Field
•Yie Ar Kung Fu
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CONTRA 4
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Though not intentionally a compilation, Contra 4 includes emulated versions of NES Contra and Super Contra, playable as unlockable bonus content. This technically makes Contra 4 a set of 3 games. The NES titles likely run on a derivative of PocketNES; the emulation is fairly adequate, despite noticeable audio and slowdown issues.
Featured Games:
•Contra 4
•Contra (1, 2)
•Super Contra/Super C (1, 2)
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KONAMI CLASSICS VOL. 1
Platforms: Microsoft XBox 360
Konami re-released some of their XBox Live arcade titles in collections, with 3 per volume. The games were apparently accessible from the disc. Strangely, Super Contra was released in the first volume.
It is currently unknown whether or not the disc actually contains the game data, or simply a purchase key for each game and requires the player to still connect to the Marketplace pages to download the games. The latter renders this collection fundamentally useless.
Featured Games:
•Super Contra
•Castlevanie: Symphony of the Night
•Frogger
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KONAMI CLASSICS VOL. 2
Platforms: Microsoft XBox 360
Konami re-released some of their XBox Live arcade titles in collections, with 3 per volume. The games were apparently accessible from the disc. Strangely, Contra was released in the second volume.
It is currently unknown whether or not the disc actually contains the game data, or simply a purchase key for each game and requires the player to still connect to the Marketplace to download the games. The latter renders this collection fundamentally useless.
Featured Games:
•Contra
•Rush’n Attack
•Track & Field
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NINTENDO NES CLASSIC EDITION
Platforms: Dedicated multi-game plug-n-play console (NES-based)
Capitalizing on nostalgia and the multi-game clone console market, and legally pursuing ROM sites only after over 20 years in order to ensure a monopoly on ROM distribution, Nintendo released their own plug-n-play game console, featuring a small library of built-in NES titles. The NES/Famicom Classic is modeled after the NES (Famicom in Japan). Super Contra is one of the included games. Interestingly, NA and PAL regions include the North American release, Super C, while the Japanese version (Famicom Mini) features the Japanese counterpart, Super Contra.
The versions of Super Contra on this console are identical, data-wise, to their console original counterparts.
Featured Games:
•Super Contra
•Atlantis No Nazo (Japan exclusive)
•Balloon Fight
•Bubble Bobble (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Castlevania
•Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Donkey Kong
•Donkey Kong Jr. (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Double Dragon II: The Revenge
•Dr. Mario
•Downtown Nekketsu Kōshinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundōkai (Japan exclusive)
•Excitebike
•Final Fantasy (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Final Fantasy III (Japan exclusive)
•Galaga
•Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
•Gradius
•Ice Climber
•Kid Icarus (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Kirby’s Adventure
•The Legend of Zelda
•Mario Bros
•Mega Man 2
•Metroid
•NES Open Tournament Golf (Japan exclusive)
•Ninja Gaiden
•Pac-Man
•Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream (NA/PAL exclusive)
•River City Ransom (Japan exclusive)
•Solomon’s Key (Japan exclusive)
•StarTropics (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Super Mario Bros.
•Super Mario Bros. 2
•Super Mario Bros. 3
•Tecmo Bowl (Japan exclusive)
•Tsuppari Ōzumō (Japan exclusive)
•Yie-Ar Kung Fu (Japan exclusive)
•Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
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SUPER NES CLASSIC EDITION
Platforms: Dedicated multi-game plug-n-play console (SNES-based)
Capitalizing on nostalgia and the multi-game clone console market, and legally pursuing ROM sites only after over 20 years in order to ensure a monopoly on ROM distribution, Nintendo released their own plug-n-play game console, featuring a small library of built-in SNES titles. The SNES Classic is modeled after the SNES (Super Famicom in Japan). Contra III is one of the included games.
This version of Contra III is actually taken from the Wii Virtual Console release.
Featured Games:
•Contra III: The Alien Wars
•Donkey Kong Country
•EarthBound (NA/PAL exclusive)
•F-Zero
•Final Fantasy VI
•Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (Japan exclusive)
•Kirby Super Star
•Kirby’s Dream Course (NA/PAL exclusive)
•The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (Japan exclusive)
•The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
•Mega Man X
•Panel de Pon (Japan exlusive)
•Secret of Mana
•Star Fox
•Star Fox 2
•Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Super Castlevania IV (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
•Super Mario Kart
•Super Mario RPG
•Super Mario World
•Super Metroid
•Super Punch-Out!! (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Super Soccer (Japan exclusive)
•Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers (Japan exclusive)
•Yoshi’s Island
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CONTRA ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Sony PlayStation 4, Microsoft XBox One, Microsoft Windows. Also available via Amazon Luna for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android (Amazon Fire TV and other select devices).
To further capitalize on nostalgia and the recent retro game re-release wave, Konami released their own series of anniversary collections, in collaboration with M2. Each collection focuses on a specific series or theme, such as Castlevania and Contra.
The overall emulation and accuracy of the titles featured are sufficiently satisfactory for the casual playing experience. This collection marks the first time that Contra: Hard Corps received a port that is widely available. The first port, playable on the GameTap service, was limited to North America.
Featured Games (more info below):
•Contra (Arcade, NES)
•Super Contra (Arcade, NES)
•Operation C
•Contra III: The Alien Wars (and Super Probotector: Alien Rebels)
•Contra: Hard Corps (and Probotector)
The Probotector releases of Contra III and Hard Corps, as well as the Famicom counterpart to NES Contra, are considered their own separate game. An update patch was released that adds the Japanese versions of the games, except for the already-included Famicom Contra.
In addition to the games, a “bonus book” is also available that includes supplementary coverage of the Contra series, as well as its developers.
The Switch and PS4 versions of Contra Anniversary Collection were selected to receive physical releases by Limited Run Games in 2022.
Click here for more information about this compilation.
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SEGA GENESIS MINI
Platforms: Dedicated multi-game plug-n-play console, Genesis-based
Following suit to the NES, SNES and PlayStation plug-n-play systems, Sega released their own Mini version of their console, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The game library includes Contra: Hard Corps. Interestingly, all 3 versions of the game are available in their respective regions. It is currently not yet known if the ROM data for any of them differ to the console originals.
Featured Games:
•Contra: Hard Corps
•Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Alien Soldier (China/Korea exclusive)
•Alisia Dragoon
•Altered Beast (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Assault Suit Leynos (Japan and China/Korea)
•Beyond Oasis
•Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (NA/PAL and China/Korea)
•Castlevania: Bloodlines
•Columns
•Comix Zone
•Darius
•Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine/Puyo Puyo (NA/PAL and China/Korea)
•Dyna Brothers 2 (Japan exclusive)
•Dynamite Headdy (NA/PAL and Japan)
•Earthworm Jim (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Ecco the Dolphin (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Eternal Champions (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Game no Ganzume Otokuyou (Japan and China/Korea)
•Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
•Golden Axe
•Gunstar Heroes
•Kid Chameleon (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Landstalker
•Langrisser II (Japan and China/Korea)
•Light Crusader (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Lord Monarch (Japan exclusive)
•Madō Monogatari I (Japan exclusive)
•Mega Man: The Wily Wars
•Monster World IV
•MUSHA (Japan and China/Korea)
•Outrun 2019 (China/Korea exclusive)
•Party Quiz Mega Q (Japan exclusive)
•Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
•Powerball (Japan and China/Korea)
•Puyo Puyo 2 (Japan and China/Korea)
•Puzzle & Action: Tant-R (Japan and China/Korea)
•Rent a Hero (Japan exclusive)
•Road Rash II
•Shining Force
•Shining Force II (China/Korea exclusive)
•Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Slap Fight MD (Japan and China/Korea)
•Snow Bros (Japan and China/Korea)
•Sonic Spinball (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Sonic the hedgehog (NA/PAL and China/Korea)
•Sonic the Hedgehog 2
•Space Harrier II
•Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition (NA/PAL and Japan)
•Streets of Rage 2
•Strider (NES/PAL and China/Korea)
•Super Fantasy Zone
•Sword of Vermilion (China/Korea exclusive)
•Tetris
•The Hybrid Front (Japan exclusive)
•The Revenge of Shinobi (Japan and China/Korea)
•Thunder Force III
•ToJam & Earl
•Vectorman
•Virtual Fighter 2 (NA/PAL exclusive)
•Wonder Boy in Monster World (NA/PAL and China/Korea)
•World of Illusion
•Yu Yu Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen (Japan exclusive)
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MY ARCADE CONTRA POCKET PLAYER
Platforms: Dedicated Handheld
The primary game in this edition of My Arcade’s Pocket Player line of handhelds is Contra. However, Super Contra is included as a pack-in title. Both are ports of the arcade originals.
The versions of Contra and Super Contra in this handheld arcade unit are identical, content-wise, to their respective original releases.
Featured Games:
•Contra
•Super Contra
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