About this game
Released in 1988, Contra dropped players into a relentless alien-infested war zone armed with nothing but fast reflexes and a spread gun. Originally an arcade hit, the Famicom port added cutscenes and new music, quickly becoming one of the defining co-op action experiences of the 8-bit era. The Konami Code — up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A — was immortalized here, giving players 30 lives and becoming one of gaming's most enduring secrets.
Key Features
Two-player simultaneous co-op, multiple weapon power-ups including the iconic Spread Gun, alternating side-scrolling and behind-the-back 3D stages. The Famicom version added a special VRC2 mapper chip enabling extra graphical effects.
The Story Behind
Contra arrived at a moment when action games were defining what console hardware could feel like. By faithfully recreating the arcade's intensity on Famicom and adding co-op play, it showed that home consoles could deliver arcade-quality thrills — shaping an entire lineage of run-and-gun games that followed.
Tricks & Tales
The famous Konami Code (Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A) grants 30 lives. The Famicom version uses the VRC2 mapper chip — a Konami-made custom chip — which enabled environmental effects not present in the NES version.
Collector's Guide
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
Direct purchase supports this museum directly. eBay Top Rated Seller · 1,750+ reviews · 100% positive feedback.
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