Editing Contra (video game) (section)

==Release==
===Home computers===
Under license from [[Konami]], [[Ocean Software]] produced ports under the title of ''Gryzor'' (the European arcade title) for the [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Commodore 64]], and [[Amstrad CPC]], which were released in Europe in 1988.<ref name=tgmi03p52>{{cite journal|title=Save the Last Lance for Me (Gryzor review)|journal=The Games Machine|issue=3|page=52|date=February 1988}}</ref> The Commodore 64 version was released in North America under the ''Contra'' title. Ocean's ports were patterned after the original arcade version of the game. An IBM PC version was developed by Banana Development Inc and released in North America. This version was released in Europe under the ''Gryzor'' name.<ref name=powerplay198804>{{cite journal|title=''Gryzor'' review|journal=Power Play|date=April 1988|url=http://www.kultpower.de/|language=de|access-date=February 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010193048/http://www.kultpower.de/|archive-date=October 10, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> The cover illustration of Ocean's ''Gryzor'' ports by Bob Wakelin was inspired by the then upcoming film ''[[Predator (film)|Predator]]'' starring actor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.exotica.org.uk/wiki/Bob_Wakelin#Gryzor|title=Bob Wakelin at Exotica|access-date=May 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527104905/http://www.exotica.org.uk/wiki/Bob_Wakelin#Gryzor|archive-date=May 27, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The illustration was later used for the packaging of the NES version. The Japanese MSX2 version had an exclusive photo cover; despite that, Wakelin's illustration was used in the back cover. The other character was inspired by the 1982 film ''[[First Blood|Rambo]]'' starring actor [[Sylvester Stallone]].

===Nintendo Entertainment System===
[[File:Contra (NES version screenshot).png|thumb|right|The boss of Stage 3 in the NES version]]

''Contra'' was released for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] in North America in February 1988. This version was produced in-house by Konami, and features several differences from the arcade release in order to better suit the NES's hardware. This version was released for arcades by [[Nintendo]] in 1988.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Akagi |first=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |isbn=978-4990251215 |location=Japan |pages=128 |language=ja |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005)}}</ref>

====Graphics====
For example, sprites for effects (like explosions) are shown at 30fps instead of 60fps to work around the sprite limitations of the system. Another game to use this technique is ''[[Recca]]''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://yachtclubgames.com/2014/07/breaking-the-nes/|title=Breaking the NES {{!}} Yacht Club Games|website=yachtclubgames.com|access-date=August 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230130804/http://yachtclubgames.com/2014/07/breaking-the-nes/|archive-date=December 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

The game can be played by one or two players, but due to the graphical limitations of the NES, Bill and Lance lost their individualized character designs. Instead, they are both depicted as shirtless commandos distinguished by the colors of their pants (blue for Bill and red for Lance). When one player loses all of their lives, they are given the option to use the other player's stock to keep fighting.

====Weapons====
The power-up icons for the Machine Gun and Laser Gun were also changed and are now represented by letter-based falcon symbols (M and L) used by the other weapons. The Rapid Bullets and Barrier power-ups are also more common in this version, since unlike the arcade game, the flying item capsules now appear regardless of which weapon the player character currently possesses. The NES version introduces a seventh item that clears the screen of all on-screen enemies when obtained.

====Reworked Stages====
The NES version recomposes the seven stages of the arcade version into eight stages. Stages 2 and 3 were combined into one stage, resulting in the renumbering of the Waterfall level from Stage 4 to Stage 3, while Stages 5 and 6 were combined into the new Stage 4. The final four stages of the NES version (the Snowfield, Energy Zone, Hangar, and Alien Lair) are based on the different areas featured in the arcade version's final stage.

The level designs themselves are drastically different from the arcade version too. The two base stages for example (Stage 2 and 4), no longer have their mazelike structures, nor is there any time limit involved. The boss of the waterfall stage was also changed from a diamond-shaped sensor to an alien statue.

====The Konami Code====
''Contra'' was one of the early NES games to feature the [[Konami Code]]. Inputting the code at the title screen starts the player with thirty lives instead of the usual three. The cheat remains in effect when the player runs out of lives and uses a continue to retry a stage.

===Famicom version===
''Contra'' was released for the Famicom in Japan on February 9, 1988. While the gameplay remains identical to the NES version released around the same month, the Famicom version has a custom-made [[Memory management controller|Multi-Memory Controller]] that Konami produced called the VRC2 (in contrast to the UNROM board used by its NES counterpart). This allowed for the inclusion of cutscenes and a few graphical effects that were not possible in the NES version.<ref name="Contra's Director's Cut"/> Additionally, the Famicom version contains cutscenes, an additional music track, and environment effects which are not included in the NES version.<ref name="Contra's Director's Cut">{{cite web | title=Contra's "Director's Cut" | publisher=1up.com | date=December 21, 2009 | first=Frank | last=Cifaldi | url=http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9014002 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012044227/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9014002 | archive-date=October 12, 2012 | access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref>

The game begins with a prologue sequence explaining the game's backstory, followed by a map of the Galuga archipelago, which is shown at the start of every stage to indicate the player's progress. Cutscenes are also shown between stages, depicting Bill (or Lance) giving a status report of his current situation to headquarters, and, in later stages, shooting his gun towards the screen.

The ending sequence is also slightly different. And if the player holds the select and start buttons during the credits sequence, a secret message will be displayed after the Konami logo. Other differences include the addition of a sound test mode, added background animations in certain stages (such as windblown palm leaves in Stage 1 and a snowstorm in Stage 5), a different stage clear jingle when the player clears the final stage, and a level select cheat code.

===PAL version===
'''''Probotector''''' is a modified version of the NES ''Contra'' that was released for the [[PAL region]] on December 28, 1990. This version redesigns the human protagonists and some of the enemy characters to give them a robotic appearance.<ref name=neseur1>{{cite journal |year=1990 |title=Fire and Forget - Probotector |journal=Power Play |issue=12/90 |url=http://www.kultpower.de/external_frameset.php3?site=%2Fpowerplay_datenbank.php3%3Fgame_id%3D1202&from_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kultpower.de%2Fkultpower_search.php%3Fsearch%3Dprobotector |access-date=July 11, 2011 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930034359/http://www.kultpower.de/external_frameset.php3?site=/powerplay_datenbank.php3%3Fgame_id=1202&from_referer=http://www.kultpower.de/kultpower_search.php%3Fsearch=probotector |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=neseur2>{{cite journal |year=1991 |title=Roboter in Rage - Probotector |journal=Video Games |issue=1/91 |url=http://www.kultpower.de/external_frameset.php3?site=%2Fvideogames_datenbank.php3%3Fgame_id%3D2&from_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kultpower.de%2Fkultpower_search.php%3Fsearch%3Dprobotector |access-date=July 11, 2011 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930034425/http://www.kultpower.de/external_frameset.php3?site=/videogames_datenbank.php3%3Fgame_id=2&from_referer=http://www.kultpower.de/kultpower_search.php%3Fsearch=probotector |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=probotectorplot>{{cite web|url=http://www.nesworld.com/manuals/probotec.txt|title=Instruction Manual of Probotector for the NES (transcript from NES World)|access-date=January 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203014539/http://www.nesworld.com/manuals/probotec.txt|archive-date=February 3, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> This was done to circumvent the [[Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons|BPjM]]'s censorship laws in [[Germany]], which prohibits the sales of violent video games to minors. Subsequent ''Contra'' games for home consoles followed suit, all being released in the PAL region under the ''Probotector'' title and featuring similar modifications. Beginning with ''[[Contra: Legacy of War]]'', Konami abandoned the ''Probotector'' title and localized most of the further games with minimal changes.

===MSX2===
An [[MSX|MSX2]] version of ''Contra'' was released by Konami exclusively in Japan on May 26, 1989. The MSX2 version greatly differs from the arcade and NES versions. Due to hardware limitations of the MSX2, the game does not scroll but instead uses [[Glossary of video game terms#Flip-screen|flip-screens]] like other MSX2 games such as ''[[Metal Gear]]'' and ''[[Vampire Killer]]''. The game uses the SCC sound chip.<ref name=msxmagazine198904>{{cite magazine|title=MSX NEW SOFT|magazine=MSX Magazine|date=April 1989|publisher=ASCII Corporation|pages=10–11|language=ja}}</ref>

Rather than one-hit kills, there is an energy gauge, which allows Bill Rizer to take more than one shot or hit before losing a life. There are two main power-ups in the MSX2 version, a Falcon-shaped power-up that increases the player's running and shooting speed, as well as a gun-shaped power-up which allows the player to change their current weapon. After picking up the weapon power-up, the player can choose between the default Normal Gun or four other weapons. The Spread Gun is not featured in this version, replaced by the Rear Gun similar to the tailgun in ''[[Gradius II]]'', which fires in two directions at the same time.

The MSX2 version ''Contra'' is composed of 19 stages. Stages 1 through 6 are drawn directly from the arcade version, whereas Stages 7 through 9 are based on the different areas featured in the final stage of the arcade version in a matter similar to the final four stages of the NES version. Stages 10 through 19 are new to this version and take place primarily in an underground facility underneath the Galuga Archipelago.

Unlike the arcade and NES versions, the MSX2 version is single-player only (Lance Bean does not appear in any form), and has no continuation feature; if a player loses all lives, the game will end immediately. However, the [[Konami Game Master|Game Master II]] utility cartridge can be used to save progress via its S-RAM backup feature.

===Later releases===
* A [[PlayStation 2]] port of the arcade version of ''Contra'' was released in Japan on May 25, 2006, as part of the ''[[Oretachi Gēsen Zoku]]'' series of retro game ports by [[Hamster Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hamster.co.jp/orga/cgi/lineup.cgi?lid=16|script-title=ja:オレたちゲーセン族 - 魂斗羅|access-date=October 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618200840/http://hamster.co.jp/orga/cgi/lineup.cgi?lid=16|archive-date=June 18, 2009|url-status=live|language=ja}}</ref>
* A second re-release was made for the [[Xbox 360]]'s [[Xbox Live Arcade|Live Arcade]] on November 8 of the same year, with [[Backbone Entertainment|Digital Eclipse]] handling the conversion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Contra/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258410818?cid=search&DownloadType=Game|title=Contra - Game Detail Page at Xbox.com|access-date=November 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327084353/http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Contra/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258410818?cid=search&DownloadType=Game|archive-date=March 27, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The same version was also released on December 15, 2009, as part of the ''[[Konami Classics Vol. 2]]'' compilation.
* The arcade version was also included in Konami's classic game compilation ''[[Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits]]'' for the [[Nintendo DS]].
* During Konami Mobile's tenure, several variations of ''Contra'' were released for different mobile phones which are based on the arcade version.
* The NES version of ''Contra'' is included in the video game compilation ''Konami Collector's Series: Castlevania & Contra'' for [[Microsoft Windows]], released in North America in 2002, which also includes ''Super C'' and the three ''[[Castlevania]]'' games released for the NES.
* The NES ''Contra'' and ''Super C'' are included in the [[Nintendo DS]] game ''[[Contra 4]]'' as unlockable bonuses.
* The MSX2 version of ''Contra'' was released for the [[Virtual Console]] in Japan on February 2, 2010 for the [[Wii]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.konami.jp/products/dl_wii_contra_msx_vc/index.html|title=Details of Contra (MSX2 version) for the Virtual Console at Konami|language=ja|access-date=November 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109133729/http://www.konami.jp/products/dl_wii_contra_msx_vc/index.html|archive-date=November 9, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=d4msxsite>{{cite web|url=http://www.vc-msx.d4e.co.jp/|title=MSX Virtual Console Lineup|publisher=D4 Enterprise|language=ja|access-date=May 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216131717/http://www.vc-msx.d4e.co.jp/|archive-date=December 16, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> and on October 15, 2014 for the [[Wii U]].
*The arcade version of ''Contra'' was released for the [[PlayStation 4]] as part of Hamster's ''[[Arcade Archives]]'' lineup of digital releases in 2016, and also released for the [[Nintendo Switch]] in 2020. It includes the option to play both the Japanese and US versions.
* The arcade, NES, and Famicom versions are included in ''Contra Anniversary Collection'', which was developed by [[M2 (game developer)|M2]] and released in June 2019 to commemorate Konami's 50th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/05/28/konami-announces-contra-anniversary-collection-lineup|title=Konami Announces Contra Anniversary Collection Lineup|first=Colin|last=Stevens|website=IGN|date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>
*On July 15, 2019, My Arcade announced its acquisition of the ''Contra'' license for its line of Micro Player mini arcade machine replicas, and Pocket Player portable video game players.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/346621/My_Arcade_Partners_with_Konami_Cross_Media_NY_To_Launch_Playable_Contra_Collectibles_This_Holiday_Season.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715174723/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/346621/My_Arcade_Partners_with_Konami_Cross_Media_NY_To_Launch_Playable_Contra_Collectibles_This_Holiday_Season.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2019|title=My Arcade Partners with Konami Cross Media NY To Launch Playable Contra Collectibles This Holiday Season|website=Gamasutra|date=July 15, 2019}}</ref>
*A reimagined version titled ''Contra: Operation Galuga'' was developed by [[WayForward]], the developers of ''Contra 4'', in conjunction with Konami and released in March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Handley |first=Zoey |date=2023-11-22 |title=WayForward's Tomm Hulett talks Contra: Operation Galuga and working with Konami |url=https://www.destructoid.com/wayforwards-tomm-hulett-talks-contra-operation-galuga-and-working-with-konami/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US}}</ref>