A Run ‘N’ Gun Revival – Contra: Operation Galuga brings out the big guns

Contra, Konami’s run ‘n’ gunner, has been around for the best part of forty years, filling out the side-scrolling shooter space with multiple entries in that time. But now Konami have brought out the big guns, as a proper run ‘n’ gun revival takes place in Contra: Operation Galuga. 

It’s been a little while since we had the chance to play with a new Contra game – Contra: Rogue Corps being that game – but now there’s a new instalment in the franchise. And this time it’s looking to go to bigger, better places than ever before with release of Contra: Operation Galuga on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC. 

And of course, if you want to go old-school, the Contra: Anniversary Collection will be your best bet.

A return of Contra

A hotly anticipated run ‘n’ gunner, Contra: Operation Galuga is now available for play on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. It’s priced at £34.99 from the Xbox Store, fully optimised for the latest consoles, complete with a free extra in-game credits if you are quick. You should find a similar offering on the storefronts of PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC. 

Contra: Operation Galuga takes what has worked for the series and runs with it. Gunning away, it builds on the story and characters found in the original arcade and NES Contra game. And that sees it taking place in the Galuga Archipelago, just after a meteor shower. It’s here where the Red Falcon terrorist group have landed as the Contra corps finest – Bill Rizer and Lance Bean – head into action. 

Multiple playable characters

A Story Mode is front and centre of Contra: Operation Galuga, as some six playable heroes become available. They are…

• Bill Rizer: Field leader of the Contra unit, possessing exceptional physical strength, agility, and mental fortitude. Proficient in all manner of armaments and well-versed in military science.
• Lance Bean: An expert marksman adept with machinery. Was active as a guerrilla fighter before being recruited into the Earth Marine Corps by Bill Rizer.
• Ariana: A tremendously skilled warrior from the Galuga Archipelago. After her village was nearly wiped out by Red Falcon’s attack, she wages a one-woman war against the enemy forces.
• Lucia: Deputy commander in the Earth Marine Corps and also a talented field operative. She is equally proficient at combat missions and covert intelligence.
• Lt. Stanley Ironside: A veteran who leads an armored platoon in the GX Army. He wears a powered Hercules exosuit to supplement his already formidable combat skills.
• Probotector: Autonomous training robots used by the Contra Unit. Utilizing cutting-edge tech,  they are every bit as capable in the field as their human counterparts.

Further to that is Arcade Mode and a new Challenge Mode, allowing players to speedrun their way through some thirty missions. If that sounds a bit too much to handle, you’ll want to make the most of the in-game Perk Shop as abilities, skills and weapons come to the fore. 

Run and jump with Contra: Operation Galuga key features

So what are the keyest of key features found in Contra: Operation Galuga on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC? Well… 

• The original run-‘n’-gun game is back, reimagined and more action-packed than ever!
• Attack aggressively across eight explosive stages! Infiltrate the jungle, ascend the waterfall, speed through an enemy base on a hovercycle, and more!
• Multiple playable characters with distinct abilities!
• Epic, screen-filling boss battles!
• New and fan-favorite weapons, now with stackable upgrades and incredible Overload abilities!
• Multiple difficulty options and a wealth of extra content

Buy now and shoot to glory

Contra: Operation Galuga is on the Xbox Store as we speak, playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. You’ll also find the game on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC. 

Our full review of Contra: Operation Galuga on Xbox is coming very soon!

Contra: Operation Galuga Description

A new entry in the legendary Contra series is here! Contra: Operation Galuga is a thorough reimagining of the classic run-‘n’-gun action game from the ’80s, featuring modern graphics and sound, new stages, new enemies and bosses, new play mechanics, an updated weapons system, and explosive co-op combat for up to two players in Story Mode or four players in Arcade Mode!

When the Red Falcon terrorist group takes over the Galuga Islands off the coast of New Zealand, elite Contra commandos Bill Rizer and Lance Bean springs into action, initiating an all-out war in which the fate of mankind hangs in the balance!

Run, jump, and shoot your way through eight levels using a devastating arsenal – including the spread shot, laser, and homing missiles – now with stackable upgrades and awesome Overload abilities! The intense action is customizable with three difficulty settings plus a variety of additional challenge options. The true Contra legacy begins now!