• Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Nov 3, 2002
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. Deep it isn’t, but there’s no denying that this is one of the most action-packed titles you’ll play on the GBA for some time.
  2. GameNow
    83
    It's just too darn short. It's not even as difficult as its PS2 counterpart, so you'll blow through it relatively quickly. [Jan 2003, p.65]
  3. 80
    Features stupendously well-animated characters and a boopy-yet-catchy soundtrack. The control's spot-on, too.
  4. Play Magazine
    80
    As expected, it plays and looks great on the GBA, only giving up a bit of res due to the LCD screen. [Oct 2002, p.86]
  5. Nintendo Power
    76
    A big collection of blast-'em-all missions packed witih combat action. [Nov 2002, p.226]
  6. A good, solid 2D shooter, even if it is over before you know it.
  7. 74
    I do have to admit that smashing my GBA with a hammer out of sheer frustration was kind of fun.
  8. 70
    A good, fun shooter, but surprisingly short and just not as great as I was expecting it to be.
  9. Due to the size of the screen, the already slim margin for error is made even slimmer, and the lack of aura bombs means you’ll have to fight through even the stickiest of situations.
  10. Game Informer
    68
    Everything looks slightly miniaturized and washed-out, and the music is inferior to the SNES version. [Dec 2002, p.150]
  11. A mixed bag with some really awesome levels and gameplay; yet it has bland graphics and music.
  12. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    65
    Frustratingly difficult. [Dec 2002, p.270]
  13. Pocket Games
    55
    A mixed bag. [Spring 2003, p.29]
  14. It uses outdated visuals with no changes, cobbles together levels which the GBA can handle in order to avoid problems, uses a lazy password system which is totally unwieldy, and continues to rely on a ten-year-old gameplay dynamic.
  15. Sure, it may look and sound decent, but only the most hardened of masochists will ever see the later stages, let alone complete them.
  16. Cheat Code Central
    50
    The SNES port looks great, it really comes to life on the GBA but the NES levels are embarrassing. This Frankenstein piece-together must have been getting the bum's rush out of the lab and into the stores in time for the Christmas cash grab.

Awards & Rankings

58
25
#25 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2002
26
#26 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2002
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Nov 1, 2018
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Игра плоха. А плоха тем что: одно оружие что делает её сложнее оригинала; уровни Contra Hard Corps на движке Contra 3 The Alien Wars это ужасно, так как без подкатов уровни становиться адски сложными. Игра пройдена но какими мучениями. Концовка это просто кадры с боссами. Full Review »
  2. May 5, 2023
    9
    Faithful adaptation of the classic run and gunner that makes a few sacrifices to fit the Advance: no smart bombs, only one weapon can beFaithful adaptation of the classic run and gunner that makes a few sacrifices to fit the Advance: no smart bombs, only one weapon can be carried at a time and the overhead levels didn't make the transition. But otherwise everything is present and correct, making for a good version of a brilliant game. Full Review »
  3. Jun 12, 2022
    10
    Contra could be like a futuristic version of castlevania contra has to be like broken dawn