The original Contra is a fantastic game that, while not the pinnacle of its series*, still holds up phenomenally well. It’s easily one of the most influential games of its era, ushering in a proud lineage of side-scrolling platform shooters. More importantly, Contra is legendary for its difficulty, to the point where its 30-live-bonus cheat, the fabled Konami code, is culturally ubiquitous, as it is the only way most players were able to beat the game on NES or in arcades. So when I found out about Konami’s project to remake the original Contra: Evolution, my excitement was tempered by my fear of the cynical hack jobs often found in mobile ports. However, I’m pleased to report that while it doesn’t always hit the mark, Contra:Evolution is overall a surprisingly decent and well-crafted remake of one of the most hardcore games ever made.
Developer:PunchBox Studios
Original Price: $.99
Today’s Free App of the Day is : Gryzor (Contra): Evolution
Up, up, down, down, left , right , left, right, B, A, Start… doesn’t work here but it is the same ole Contra game that you played and loved. Well, sort of…
Contra: Evolution’s new version adds several features with both old and new players in mind. The game now includes a ‘Boss Rush’ game mode, which lets players take on the game’s eight insidious bosses back-to-back. Additionally, the update features a ‘Super Weapon’ system that lets players unlock a massive arsenal of weapons and power-ups to supercharge their game. For players who want to run-and-gun against their friends, Contra: Evolution now offers a new leaderboard system and Facebook connectivity for players to share their high scores and compete together. The update also supports more languages to better serve the game’s diverse player community, which spans more than 100 countries.
John Bedford (Modojo): Though the iPad Air will run visually complex games like Infinity Blade 3 and The Walking Dead very comfortably, that doesn't mean you can't indulge in some old-school fun. In fact, the App Store is full of classic retro favorites, whether you're up for fighting, shooting or just getting stuck into a favorite title you grew up with.
We've hand-picked ten retro games that are essential downloads for your new iPad Air, so take a trip back in time with us as we explore these oldies - but very, very goodies.
