Contra (NES)

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Contra
Also known as: Probotector (EU) Developer: Konami Publisher: Konami Platform: NES Released in JP: February 9, 1988 Released in US: February 1988 Released in EU: December 28, 1990 This game has a hidden sound test. This game has regional differences.

The NES game well known for being hardcore and hard and core.

Regional Differences

Japanese Differences

To do: List all differences, rip graphics

Japanese Exclusives

Intro

A few things were cut when the game was localized to the US, perhaps because the US version was produced using a somewhat smaller cartridge format.

Screenshot	Description
	"It is said that the 'Contra' have the passionate soul and the makings of a guerilla on the field of battle. They are called the strongest and mightest of warriors." (This is written in a rather grandiose and old-fashioned manner. Rather than being spelled out in katakana as would usually be done, "Contra" is spelled out in ateji, which are kanji chosen for their sound and not necessarily their meaning. These particular ones are "soul", "spirit", and one meaning "silk", or by the obscure reasoning of the Japanese, "(ancient) Rome". The last is fairly rare, although notably it also happens to be the "ra" in "Shinra" from FFVII.)
File:ContraJPFC Cutscene1.png	Between each level, a short cutscene plays. This one is from before the first level. "AD 2631 / Off the coast of New Zealand, in the Garuga Era / a puzzling meteor fell" (The text is all in katakana, rather than in the usual mix of hiragana, katakana and kanji. In Japanese, this conveys a sense of being mechanical -- robots often speak in katakana.)
	Before each level, a map screen is shown.

Sound Test

File:Contra-jap-soundtest.png

Also of note is that there is a sound test only available in the Japanese version, similar to the sound test available in Super C. At the title screen while pressing A + B, press Start to enter a sound test. Press Up and Down to select a sound, B to start the sound, A to stop the sound, and Start to exit.

European Differences

To do: List all differences, rip graphics. Possibly mention why they felt it necessary to make all the "Probotector" changes?

The European version featured many graphical differences due to very strict censorship laws of the time regarding showing people getting shot and showing blood.

• Title screen was changed to Probotector
• The two main characters were changed into robots, and their names were changed from "Bill" to "RD008" and "Lance" to "RCO11."
• Four enemies were changed to robots in sidescrolling stages.
• Three enemies were changed to robots in tunnel stages.
• The boss at the end of stage 6 was changed to look more robotic.
• During the ending a futuristic jet picks up the heroes, instead of a helicopter.

There are also a few palette changes.

• The boss in Stage 2 shots are red, instead of blue.
• The boss in Stage 3 has arms that are grey, instead of blue.
• The weapon pods in the final stage are a pink color.