Contra (Probotector) - Review

 

Retro Games Reviewer #18, Contra Review


Oh, yes... - Nostalgia coming back, again. it's good to be 31 because of the memories.

And, damn', do I remember when I played Contra the first time!

Actually, it wasn't on an original and official made in Japan NES. And it could never have been, at least in Europe, at that time. Because Contra was not released in its original vests in Europe. Instead, NES got "Probotector". German authorities didn't want a game in which two bad asses would kill other human beings, like it happens in some levels of the game.

So, in Probotector, the characters are cyborgs, and the human enemy soldiers were replaced by aliens. In theory is the same game. But I prefer the original Contra.

This is the Probotector cover:

Before I start feeling too much enthusiasm, let us get the "Contra" plot straight:

There was an Alien Invasion, and you, a Rambo-like macho hero got to kick them back to where they came from. Or terminate them during the proccess.

You can try this adventure alone, or with a partner. Hence, we have the excellent and epic two player in simultaneous mode.

Obviously, both players are half-naked. Come on, you know what half is undressed! Player one has blue pants, player two, red pants. Choose your destiny.


So, anyway, back to memorabilia. My first encounter with glorious Contra:

I remember going to a friend's place. He was a die-hard PC gamer, but he had recently got a Famiclone from his father. Lots of games built in, all NES/Famicom classics. I thought I knew them all.

However, I remember when he asked me: "Have you ever played a game called Contra?"

I had never heard of such game. So I said no. And he answered: "Oh, you're going to play it, now."

And so I did.

And, as it always happens when I play the top legendary games of my life, I will never forget the first time I laid my hands on Contra, through a Famiclone.

Thanks, Chinese pirats!

The title screen, its music, and the two bad ass heroes were a great first impression. Without further delay, I started playing the first level, "The jungle". Wow, now there's a lot going on! I'm mesmerized how such game is possible on an 8 bit console! My brain needs to be aware, because, at the same time I am admiring the game scenarios, and colors, the sprites, the great gameplay, the sound, the graphics, I need to concentrate on the intense action, that happens since minute one of this game. And yes, my friend is playing with me, and, yes, we are using the 30 lives code, but still, I don't like to go down, and I want to learn how to be great in this game, because that's what it is. A GREAT game! Contra is a fusion between a platformer, and a shoot'em up. Having good skills in both is very important, and this is no game for pussies, or for those who are searching for a game to relax. No, this game, specially if you play it without any code, will need all your concentration. The compensation is worth it, though. It's easy to forget you are playing a NES game. Well, it's easy to forget you are playing a game, period!

In the end of each level, there's, usually, a mini-boss. In the first level, there's not really a mini-boss, but a structure that you need to destroy. After Jungle, you go into the second level, which is the first Military Alien Base. There are two "bases". And within these two levels, the gameplay changes. It becomes more like a classic shoot'em up. You can still jump, to avoid shooting, but there are no platforms. In order to go further in the level, you need to destroy and shoot all the main targets of each room. There are some tough bosses in the end of these levels. And the soundtrack is amazing. - It always is. Definitely one of the game's strong points. - Hell, this game has only strong points!

Level three, you go back to enjoy some green fields and nature. It's the Waterfall.

Level four, the other base-level.

Level five, you are surrounded by mountains of snow. It's a winter environment, with a lot going on, as usual.

Level six, the "Energy Zone". You are inside what is sort of a factory/castle of electricity. This time, nothing to do with nature. It will remind you of another Industrial Revolution. And, as expected, electricity, and other surprises, will also become an obstacle.

Level seven, The Hangar. The same sountrack of the first level. The most well known Contra song. We are becoming closer to level 8, which is also the last. The "Alien's Lair." In this, you are finally dealing with an Alien-like (meaning, the Alien movies, with Sigourney Weaver) Sci-fi scenario. It's the last challenge, and you gonna have to kill lots of aliens, including the final boss, the Heart of all the others, literally.

The influence the Alien movies had on this game is very much recognized in this last level. You will see that very clearly. Even by looking at the game's cover. You can't miss it.

Anyway, this is one of my favourite games of all time. Both to be played alone, and/or with a friend. The developers were the guys from Konami. Respect. A masterpiece in all possible ways.

Before closing this chapter, some more details, and treats.

These are some very decent covers, made by some youtube artists, regarding the already mentioned mythical "Jungle theme". - Which is also "The Hangar" theme:

This one is made by Smooth McGroove. Through voice, only! A capella! Great job, he sings all the parts of the song:

 And this one is a guitar/metal cover/arrangement. Some parts are improvised, but the original stuff is all there, too. By VertexGuy (I already mentioned and displayed this one in another chapter regarding videogames soundtracks, but for those who got here through this specific Contra article, and don't give a damn' about the rest of my blog, here it is):

Retro Games Reviewer, Contra Review, 22/10/2014

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Excitebike - Review

                                             Retro Games Reviewer #16; ExciteBike Review


Pick up your helmet - Not a medieval war-like, I mean, a motorcycle helmet - put on your fake leather jacket, that you bought to impress your last date, get a few root beers - Do not drink and drive. FREAKING EVER! - And, start on your classic NES motocross title, Excitebike.

Ah, isn't life great?

Man, I love this game. Because it's simply so damn' fun. Nintendo did it again, with a perfect gameplay. It's a side scrolling motocross simulator racing game. You have to deal with a lot of obstacles. You get to jump through ramps, control your bike both in the ground, and in the air, you have to avoid sand, falls, - if you fall, you can return to your bike faster by pressing A - and, with all this, you have a time limit. It's a great challenge. You will have to practice a decent amount of time to...beat the time...? Man, this didn't turn out very shakespearinguish... 

Anyway, you get the point.

Another important thing: if the motor of your bike becomes overheated, you will have to wait a few seconds before you can proceed. This is what happens: You can use both buttons, B and A, right? With the A button you can speed up at your will. No problem. But, if you want to use the turbo, and accelerate a lot more, you will need the B button. Thing is, if you use it for too much time, without pausing, the motor will need a rest. And you will have to stop. There's a meter, called "Temp", meaning "Temperature", and you can control it. Soon, you will learn to alternate between the A and B button, without causing the motor to overheat. It's a great add to the game interest.

You can compete alone, just against the obstacles and the clock, or you can compete with...no, not with a friend. That's the downside of the game. There's no two player mode!! Shame on you, Nintendo.

You have two game modes, that they call "selections". In Selection A, you "walk alone", in Selection B, computer controlled motorcycles appear on the action. It's fun, and a greater challenge. And only makes you crave for that two player mode, which does not exist.

No worries, after the third track, and the fifth root beer, you'll forget all about that.

There are 5 main tracks. The scenarios and the graphics are simple, but ok. The environment is all there. The colors change, each level, simulating day, night, different lights, etc. It's not the second coming of 8 bit technology, but it does not become boring, and helps out the game. You can see the crowd back there, and now and then, a cameraman, which is, of course, showing your stunts to the world. Live!

Soundtrack: awful. One of the worse soundtracks of NES. Fortunately, it does not play when you are...playing. Again, damn'!

But yeah, you don't have to listen to the music while you're playing. Only when you finish the track. So, it will not ruin your fun. But it can make you mad if you just failed to reach the next track for just a second or two. Some gamers may think this is a good think. The angrier, the better formula. I'm not one of those.

Important detail: You can build and create your own personalized tracks. Nintendo, back then, called the game part of its "programmable series."

Ah, the 80's.

So, call your girlfriend, and ask her if she wants to take a ride with you, in a motocross contest.


Retro Games Reviewer; Excitebike Review, 9/9/2013

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DR. MARIO - Review

Retro Games Reviewer #15; Dr. Mario Review

Mario... the doctor? What the...!

This was my reaction, in my younger days, when I saw the cover and label of this game. And not just because Mario looks more like a mad scientist than a doctor, in the box art. There's also a sort of mysterious "X". Dr X Mario?

Although, we should not be surprised, for Mario is definitely the man of one zillion jobs, throughout a bunch of Nintendo games, who are not related to Mario Mythology.

Very far from being just a plumber, Mario is the referee in Tennis (NES and Game Boy), he's a golf player in the  Golf series (NES and GB), he wrecks buildings in Wrecking Crew (NES), he is an astronaut, and space ship pilot in Alleyway (GB), AND in Super Mario Land 2 (Moon Zone) - ape hunter in Donkey Kong, the list goes on and on.

So, yes, Mario is playing doctors, but in a good educational puzzling way. I have to say, when I was a kid, and I asked my father to buy me Dr. Mario, without having read a word about the game, I wasn't expecting an adventure, Super Mario series kind of game. Of course not. But I was hoping for something in the vein of the original Mario Bros., for example. A simple action/platform game, fun to play with a buddy, original stuff, nice to relax in a rainy sunday afternoon.

Oh, by the way, apparently, Luigi didn't graduate from med school.

Instead, I was very surprised to see it was a puzzle. I was a little disappointed at first, because the game I had imagined was kind of cool, but, hey, let's see if the doctor aproves it!

Usually I have a problem with puzzles, because I love Tetris, and the other ones always seem a shadow, unworthy of "the Soviet Mind Game".

However, Dr. Mario was definitely approved.

First of all, yes, it's another Tetris'son. But it has its differences. Both the concept, and also the gameplay. Mario throws vitamins, or medicins, well, pills, to a bottle. Each pill has two different colors, and you can rotate them, in order to use the color you want. The position of the pill is also important. It can go vertical, or horizontal.

So, there are three colors available: red, blue and yellow. And Mario, I mean, Dr. Mario, can send you a whole bunch of combinations of pills, using these three colors. For example - Red-Red; Yellow-Blue, Blue-Red, etc, etc. You get the point.

You control the pills like you control the blocks in Tetris. But in Dr. Mario, you need to use the pills on the virus! Yes, your mother will be so proud! You are playing a game in which you are a doctor, kicking deseases' asses!

As expected, virus can be yellow, blue and red. You need to put two pills of the same color of the virus, on top of them (the virus!) - or below - in order to destroy them. So, you need to use the half of the pill you are interested in, for each virus' case. That's why you can rotate the pills.

The first levels, are easier, but, as you progress in the game, the scientist bottles will become more and more crowded with the damn' virus, and it will be harder. You can choose the level in the beggining of the game. It's quite a challenge to the mind, and to your nerves. Not a nice game to play if you're drunk.

The graphics are ok. You can see Mario, all dressed up as a doctor, up in the screen, throwing you the pills. He's always holding the next pill you will get next. Just like in Tetris, you get to see what's coming. And just like in Tetris, you have to figure out what to do with the piece, before it lands something. Hopefully the right virus.

There's also a magnifying glass, that shows you the virus in big size. One for each color, of course. They are quite ugly, in a fun way. When you destroy all the virus of one species, then, its "big" representant will disappear from the magnifying glass. After you destroy all the virus, there's nothing else to see, and off you go the next level. Sherlock Holmes would have love this game.

Now, the soundtrack. You have two different tunes. "Fever" and "Chill".

I have to say, "Chill" is... sick, so to speak! I loved this tune, when I was a kid, I still like a lot. I used to play the game just to listen to it. Very jazzy and psychadelic, and has a hell of solo.

Here's a nice arrangement from FamilyJules7X:

Yeah, I know, me and the songs...

Anyway, the game was released, both to NES and Game Boy. Later, it was released for the Super NES, with a bonus: Tetris. Yes, the two games in one single cartridge. This was a great idea, double the fun.

Either way, Dr. Mario is a very good choice if you're planning to stay home, pretending you're sick, just to be left alone with your good ol' NES. If solitude isn't your thing, you can also use the two player mode.

Retro Games Reviewer; Dr. Mario Review, 30/08/13

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