Software:Contra 4

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Short description: 2007 video game

Contra 4
North American boxart
Developer(s)WayForward Technologies
Publisher(s)Konami
Director(s)Matt Bozon
Producer(s)William Oertel
Christopher Watson
Designer(s)Michael Herbster
Michael Pace
Programmer(s)Robert Koshak
Artist(s)Henk Nieborg
Benjamin Badgett
Writer(s)Cole Phillips
Composer(s)Jake Kaufman
SeriesContra
Platform(s)Nintendo DS, mobile phone, Windows Mobile, Android
ReleaseNintendo DS
  • NA: November 13, 2007
  • JP: March 13, 2008
Mobile phone
November 19, 2007
Windows Mobile
August 4, 2009
Android
January 8, 2011
Genre(s)Run and gun
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Contra 4[lower-alpha 1][1][2] is a run and gun video game developed by WayForward Technologies and published by Konami for the Nintendo DS. It is the eleventh overall installment of the Contra series, and was released in North America on November 13, 2007.[3] A mobile port was released six days later on November 19, 2007.[4] A rerelease, called Contra 4: Redux, was released for Android in 2011.

Contra 4 serves as a direct sequel to 1992's Software:Contra III: The Alien Wars for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the franchise.[5] It was also the first original game in the series to be released on a portable console since 1991's Operation C for the Game Boy.

Contra 4 received positive critical reception upon release, with critics hailing it as a return to form for the franchise.

Plot

The plot is set two years after the events of Software:Contra III: The Alien Wars and three years before the events of Software:Contra: Hard Corps. Following the defeat of Red Falcon, a new entity called "Black Viper" begins launching attacks against the human race.[5] Bill Rizer and Lance Bean are joined by Mad Dog and Scorpion as they travel to the fictional Galuga archipelago near New Zealand (the setting of the original arcade version of Contra[6]) on a "final" strike mission.[7][8]

The game's producers took a number of liberties with the established canon. In the North American versions, Black Viper was originally the name of the main antagonist in Operation C, while "Mad Dog" and "Scorpion" were the codenames of Bill and Lance.[9]

Gameplay

The cast of Contra 4. From left to right: Mad Dog, Bill Rizer, Lance Bean, and Scorpion

Contra 4 is based on the same 2D gameplay featured in the series through Software:Contra III: The Alien Wars, ignoring many of the game mechanics introduced in later games, and returning to the old method of picking up power-up icons to obtain new weapons. The play controls are similar to Contra III, including the ability to hold two weapons in the player's inventory. The action spans both screens of the Nintendo DS system and a grappling hook can be used by the player's character to latch onto railings, allowing the player's character to move from one screen to the other. Similarly to the arcade version of Super Contra, the player can pick up the same power-up twice, giving them an improved version of the same weapon. The player can also discard a power-up, allowing them to try out a new weapon without losing a previous one.

In addition to the standard side view stages, there are also tunnel stages similar to the two "3D view" stages from the original Contra, in which the perspective shifts behind the character's back. The action in these stages is displayed solely on the upper screen, while the bottom screen is used to display the stage's map and the locations of power-ups. Other than using both screens, Contra 4 makes no usage of the DS' special features such as the touchscreen (besides navigating the main menu), microphone, or multiplayer modes.

Arcade Mode

Arcade Mode is the main portion of the game, which is composed of six standard stages and three tunnel stages, for a total of nine stages. The stages pay frequent homage to Contra, Super Contra (Super C on the NES), Operation C and Contra III: The Alien Wars. Three difficulty settings are available: Easy, Normal, and Hard. Easy is intended to be accessible to novices by providing the player with plenty of lives and credits, as well as making all power-ups upgraded by default, but does not give the player access to the final two stages nor the ending. Normal is a moderate setting described to be "as difficult as the original Contra", whereas Hard features faster-moving enemies and enemy fire, with fewer lives. Hard mode also features a different ending from Normal.

Challenge Mode

After completing the main game (Arcade Mode) once on any difficulty setting, a Challenge Mode will be made available in the main menu. This game mode is composed of forty different challenges in which the player must complete various tasks within the side-scrolling stages of Arcade Mode.

Music

The music and sound effects were handled by famed video game music remixer Jake Kaufman, who also composed for Shantae and founded the game music remix site VGMix. The soundtrack consists of a few arrangements of music from previous Contra games as well as new material. When Arcade Mode is played on the Hard setting, an arranged version of the Jungle theme from the original Contra is played instead of the standard stage music. The standard Jungle theme is actually an enhanced version of a "Contra style" chiptune song previously posted on Kaufman's website, called "Vile Red Falcon."[10]

A soundtrack CD was announced by Konami to be bundled in the first print of the Japanese release of Contra: Dual Spirits, as a gift for preorders through the KonamiStyle shop. This deal was only available for Japanese residents. In addition to the music found in the game, a 4-minute live performance of the "Harbor" song is included as a bonus track. The song is performed by The Smash Bros, Jake Kaufman's video game tribute band.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic83/100[11]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid8/10[12]
EGM7.83/10[13]
Eurogamer6/10[14]
Famitsu28/40[15]
Game Informer9.25/10[16]
GameProStarStarStarStarHalf star[18]
GameRevolutionB+[19]
GameSpot8/10[20]
GameSpyStarStarStarStarHalf star[21]
GameTrailers8.8/10[22]
IGN8/10[23][4]
Nintendo LifeStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[24]
Nintendo Power8.5/10[25]
411Mania8.7/10[26]

The DS version received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[11] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of all four sevens for a total of 28 out of 40.[15]

The game was hailed as a "rebirth" of the franchise, and was praised for returning to its roots. GameZone gave the game 8.9 out of 10, saying, "Contra 4 presents some of the best, most hardcore run-and-gun shooting action on the DS, and is a breath of fresh, alien-blood-scented air for the system, and gaming in general."[27] However, Edge gave it six out of ten, saying, "Is there any need, on vertically scrolling levels, for your character to die when they touch the bottom of the screen, despite the fact you know there are platforms there? Do bosses have to seem impossible, and then prove tedious when their patterns have been learned?"[28]

The game had garnered multiple awards including IGN's "Best Action Game" and "Best Revival" of 2007,[29][30] and GameSpy's 7th best DS game of 2007.[31] In 2012, GamesRadar+ named it the 22nd best DS game of all time out of a list of 25.[32]

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Contra Dual Spirits (Japanese: 魂斗羅 Dual Spirits)

References

  1. ↑ "Game Kommander" (in ja). http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hzk/kommander/index.html. 
  2. ↑ "魂斗羅 Dual Spirits" (in ja). http://www.konami.jp/products/contra_ds/. 
  3. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (October 4, 2007). "Hell Yes: Contra 4 Dated And Box Arted". Gawker Media. http://kotaku.com/gaming/hell-yes/contra-4-dated-and-box-arted-307267.php. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Buchanan, Levi (November 19, 2007). "Contra 4 Mobile Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/20/contra-4-mobile-review. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "KONAMI ANNOUNCES CONTRA 4 FOR NINTENDO DS™". June 20, 2007. https://static.fixya.com/Manuals/K/Konami/Cntr_4_fr_DS_87A3CED14A732429B6F23C44A4D77512.pdf. 
  6. ↑ Saijyou, Tatsuya; Yasufumi Sakuma (June 11, 2019). Noboru Honda. ed. The History of Contra (E-book). Konami. p. 37. 
  7. ↑ "Nintendo_DS_Longplay-004-Contra_4". https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_DS_Longplay-004-Contra_4. 
  8. ↑ Contra 4 - Instruction Booklet (Contra Story; How to Play). Konami. 2007. pp. 6–7. https://subhumanzoids.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/c4storycharacters1.jpg. Retrieved April 10, 2022. 
  9. ↑ "Operation C". Konami. 1991. https://www.thegameisafootarcade.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Operation-C-Game-Manual.pdf. 
  10. ↑ "Contra 4 (Preview)". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 218. August 2007. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Contra 4 for DS Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/contra-4/critic-reviews/?platform=ds. 
  12. ↑ Dyson (November 19, 2007). "Destructoid review: Contra 4". Gamurs. https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-contra-4/. 
  13. ↑ "Contra 4". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (223): 86. Christmas 2007. 
  14. ↑ Kumar, Mathew (January 10, 2008). "Contra 4 [US Import"]. Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/contra-4-review. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Higgenbotham, James (2008). "Famitsu Review Scores". Pure Nintendo Magazine (Pure Media, LLC). https://purenintendo.com/famitsu-review-scores-6/. Retrieved April 24, 2023. 
  16. ↑ Vore, Bryan (January 2008). "Contra 4". Game Informer (GameStop) (177). http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/AB78F8FE-1643-4843-8CF1-C069E6A46F8C.htm. Retrieved April 24, 2023. 
  17. ↑ Workman, Robert (November 15, 2007). "Contra 4 Review". AOL. http://www.gamedaily.com/games/contra-4/ds/game-reviews/review/6460/1866/. 
  18. ↑ Rudden, Dave (November 27, 2007). "Review: Contra 4". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/150108.shtml. Retrieved April 24, 2023. 
  19. ↑ Rowe, Brian (February 12, 2008). "Contra 4 Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/40014-contra-4-review. 
  20. ↑ Navarro, Alex (December 4, 2007). "Contra 4 Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/contra-4-review/1900-6183645/. 
  21. ↑ Theobald, Phil (November 21, 2007). "GameSpy: Contra 4". IGN Entertainment. http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/contra-4/837036p1.html. 
  22. ↑ "Contra 4 Review". Viacom. December 2, 2007. http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=5037. 
  23. ↑ Harris, Craig (November 13, 2007). "Contra 4 Review". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/13/contra-4-review. 
  24. ↑ McFerran, Damien (January 15, 2008). "Contra 4 Review". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2008/01/contra_4_ds. 
  25. ↑ "Contra 4". Nintendo Power (Future US) 222: 81. December 2007. 
  26. ↑ Aranda, Ramon (December 27, 2007). "Contra 4 (DS) Review". http://www.411mania.com/games/reviews/65862. 
  27. ↑ Platt, Dylan (December 7, 2007). "Contra 4 - NDS - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/contra_4_nds_review/. 
  28. ↑ "Contra 4". Edge (Future plc) (184): 89. January 2008. 
  29. ↑ "IGN Best of 2007 (DS: Best Action Game)". IGN Entertainment. http://bestof.ign.com/2007/ds/1.html. 
  30. ↑ "IGN Best of 2007 (DS: Best Revival)". IGN Entertainment. http://bestof.ign.com/2007/ds/21.html. 
  31. ↑ "Game of the Year 2007: DS Top 10 (Page 5)". IGN Entertainment. http://goty.gamespy.com/2007/ds/5.html. 
  32. ↑ "Best DS Games". Future plc. September 15, 2012. https://www.gamesradar.com/best-ds-games/. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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