Konami announces Contra 4

by JC Fletcher { Jun 20th 2007 at 12:30PM }

Konami made an announcement today that had better excite you: Contra 4 coming to the DS! The sidescrolling action game will be a direct sequel to Contra III: The Alien Wars and will pit Bill Rizer and Lance Bean (and, confusingly, new characters named Mad Dog and Scorpion, which were the names used for Bill and Lance in the American release of Contra) against the alien Black Viper across two screens of action. And to traverse those new heights, they'll have a grappling hook item.

The press release refers to the game as a 2D sidescroller, but we don't know if they're referring only to perspective or to graphics as well. We're hoping for a fully 2D game. There's actually a good chance of it, too. Developer WayForward Technologies is known for sidescrollers like Shantae and Sigma Star Saga, both of which use hand-drawn sprites. Also we must mention Ping Pals, but we hope that has no bearing on Contra.

[Via press release]

KONAMI ANNOUNCES CONTRA 4 FOR NINTENDO DS™

Explosive Action Series Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Unique Dual Screen Presentation, New Gameplay Elements and Cooperative Multiplayer Mayhem

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – June 20, 2007 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced Contra 4 (working title) for the Nintendo DS™. Marking the 20th anniversary of the quintessential action franchise, the game pushes 2D side-scrolling action in an all-new direction with gunplay that spans two full screens, original gameplay mechanics that grant players deadlier abilities than ever before, and frantic multiplayer functionality.

Contra 4 takes place two years after the events of Contra III: The Alien Wars. After saving earth from invasion by Red Falcon, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean are confronted with a new extraterrestrial menace: the terrifying Black Viper. Joined by hard-boiled mercenaries Mad Dog and Scorpion, the warriors must once again wage war against an entire army of invaders.

Refining the 2D side-scrolling genre the series established 20 years ago, Contra 4 delivers pure action at a fever pitch as players jump, shoot, and dodge oncoming hazards. Utilizing a new dual screen presentation, the action spans both screens of the Nintendo DS, giving players the opportunity to battle across expansive environments in which death can come from any direction. The use of both screens for the game's core action also allows for massive boss battles as players try to seek and destroy the weak points of sky-high enemies. A first for the series, Contra 4 introduces a grappling hook accessory that lets players grab onto elements of the environment directly above them. Whether using it to avoid oncoming dangers or attack from a strategic vantage point, the grappling hook allows for new combat situations and dramatic set pieces that underscore the game's adrenaline-soaked pedigree.

Continuing the multiplayer tradition of previous games in the series, Contra 4 lets two players battle together against Black Viper's army of vile alien forces and reclaim Earth for mankind.

Developed by WayForward Technologies, Contra 4 is planned for release on the Nintendo DS in 2007. For more information on the game and the Contra franchise, please visit: www.konami.com .

Tags: action, contra, contra 4, Contra4, ds, ds lite, DsLite, konami, nintendo, ping pals, PingPals, shantae, shooting, wayforward

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

hvnlysoldr @ Jun 20th 2007 2:07PM

This might be the first Contra I play, unless I buy it from VC.

Crazylink @ Jun 20th 2007 2:22PM

Sigma Star Saga isn't exctly a sidescroller, part of it is a top-down-view adventure.

Philip Wesley @ Jun 20th 2007 2:43PM

There are a few things to note about Wayforward Technologies.

1. They can take the worst licenses and still make great games as their GBC releases of Wendy Every Witch Way, and Sabrina: Zapped! demonstrate.

2. All of their best software has something refered to as "The Wayforward Walk" in which the main character of the game walks below the Wayforward logo before the main title screen appears. This happens in Shantae, Wendy Every Witch Way, Xtreme Sports, both Sabrina games, and the two wrestling games. All of which are great games. It does not happen in front of any releases after those, thus marking the beginning of the end. Their quality of releases has severely dropped since they stopped including the walk.

3. If Contra 4 has the Wayforward Walk in it, than the game will be an amazing game beyond any criticism. If not, then it will be a mediocore attempt.

That is all we need to know. Hope and pray for the Wayforward Walk.

L @ Jun 20th 2007 4:44PM

Why would you want the graphics to be 2D? I want to see it as a 3D graphics 2D sidescroller like Dracula X Chronicles on the PSP or Prince of Persia Classic on XBLA. J00 gaiz stuck in teh past.

JC Fletcher @ Jun 20th 2007 5:22PM

Dracula X Chronicles on the PSP looks worse than the original.

Anyway, DS 3D is generally a huge mistake, whereas 2D can look quite nice.

And go look at the preview stuff for Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix, or some screens of Odin Sphere, then tell me I'm living in the past. In English, please.