Contra 4

About

Contra 4 is a side-scrolling shooter that pairs fast gunplay with platforming challenges. You control Bill Rizer or Lance Bean as they blast through waves of aliens on Nintendo DS. The dual-screen setup splits action between the top screen for movement and the bottom for aiming, adding a layer of control. Co-op mode lets two players tackle levels together, sharing ammo and health pickups. Each level mixes shooting galleries, timed platforming, and boss fights with oversized enemies. The game makes smart use of DS hardware, with detailed environments and split-screen co-op that still runs smoothly. While some levels stretch the system’s limits with chaotic set pieces, the core loop of blasting through stages remains tight. Longtime fans praise its balance of classic Contra difficulty with new mechanics like the ability to switch between characters mid-level. Though not as revered as earlier entries, it’s a solid entry in the series for handheld play.