References to and from the Contra series in other media.
Contra games referencing other media[]
Video games[]
Contra 4[]
In Challenge Mode, one of the types of challenges available to the player is called "Gunplay", where the player has to make use only of a "Prototype Weapon" or the "Classic Laser" to clear the stage. The Prototype Weapon fires five homing missiles shaped like Vic Viper from the Gradius series, a popular series of space-themed shoot 'em ups, also by Konami.
Contra Returns[]
- The SS Grade Pet, TwinBee, is a reference to TwinBee and WinBee, the two main protagonist spaceship from Konami's longtime running TwinBee series of fantasy themed cute 'em ups.
- The SS Grade Pet, Vic Viper is the same iconic Vic Viper protagonist spaceship from Konami's longtime running Gradius series of space themed shoot 'em ups.
Contra: Operation Galuga[]
The Overload for Level 2 H summons mini Vic Viper options.
Contra series referenced in other media[]
Video games[]
A plethora of Contra clones and inspired by games have been released over the years. The following list doesn't aim to list them all, but only those that have acquired a noteworthy relevance and/or that reference specific titles of the Contra franchise.
Blades of Steel[]
During the second intermission, either a video game will appear for Player One to play, or a Konami ad will appear featuring a bear shooting the puck into a net mouthing the words "Nice Shot!" The video game is actually an advertisement for Contra and other Konami games.
Blazing Chrome[]
Aesthetics and gameplay are reminiscent of Contra: Hard Corps.
Broforce[]
Gameplay is directly inspired and reminiscent of Contra games from the 8-bit era, replicating their aesthetics with retro pixel art.
Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition[]
A game that commemorates the franchise's 30th anniversary, allows the player to customize the game board with a variety of different skins, including sprites from other famous Konami franchises, such as Contra and Castlevania. Regarding Contra, the theme is based on Contra (NES), featuring background, enemies and characters from that game. The BGM that plays is Jungle Battle. Bundles, Trucks, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean running are among the enemies and obstacles represented that act as obstacles. The support where the Frogs are located also bears the Falcon Symbol logo.
Infernax[]
Inputting the Konami Code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B/O, A/X, Start) on the title screen of this popular indie game unlocks a Contra-esque character named Maxime Gunn, who carries a machine gun, and also starts the game with 30 lives, the same effect this code had in the NES version of the original Contra.
Right after the code has been inputted, a large lettered banner will scroll on the screen with the message "THE DEMONIC CURSE HAS BEGUN", and then a picture of Maxime will appear saying "LETS ATTACK AGGRESSIVELY". This is a parody of the introductory cutscene of Contra III: The Alien Wars. The background music that plays during this mode is a soundalike of "Jungle Battle". As the player progresses through the game, they can acquire new bullet types for their gun; these resemble some of the weapons from the Contra series (such as the Spread Gun), as well as different colored tank tops that improve defense.
Iron Meat[]
Aesthetics and gameplay are reminiscent of Contra games, particularly Contra: Hard Corps.
NanoBreaker[]
Jaguar from Neo Contra and Contra ReBirth appears as a hidden character. He can be unlocked once the player finishes the game with Jake and then with Keith.
.png "Nano Breaker - Jaguar (In-game).png (553 KB)")
Party Animals[]
Party Animals is a multiplayer physics-based brawler/party game developed by Recreate Games and published by Source Technology. A "Party Animals x Contra Bundle" collaboration with Konami was released which adds unlockable Bill Rizer- and Lance Bean-like skins for the playable characters.[1]
Project X Zone 2: Brave New World[]
One of Xiaomu's counterattack quotes include, "It's time for revenge. Let's attack aggressively!" This is a reference to the opening lines of Contra III: The Alien Wars.
River City Ransom: Underground[]
According to Bannon Rudis, director of River City Ransom: Underground, the final boss fight against Dr. D was inspired by Big Fuzz from Contra III: The Alien Wars.[2]
Rocket Knight[]
The ending, when playing as Sparkster in golden armor, features Bill Rizer shooting at him with the Spread Gun as he flies across the sky.
The original designer of Rocket Knight Adventures for the Sega Genesis, Nobuya Nakazato, also worked on Contra: Shattered Soldier for the PlayStation 2, and while he didn't directly work on Rocket Knight, the "Gold Sparkster" ending is a continuation to an alternate ending found in Shattered Soldier.
Super Cyborg[]
Aesthetics and gameplay are reminiscent of the NES version of Super C.
Terminator 2D: No Fate[]
- Aesthetics and gameplay are reminiscent of Contra III: The Alien Wars in many areas of the game. The developers have stated that Contra III served as inspiration for this game.
- A military carrier appears from the background and flies toward the camera and launches a series of missiles, just like the similar Carpet Bomber did in the first stage of Contra III.
See also[]
- Cameo (category)
References[]
- ↑ Party Animals x Contra Bundle at Steam.
- ↑ Reply from Bannon Rudis on Discord.
