Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX

by Konami

Product Features

• In Contra Advance The Alien Wars EX, take down massive hordes of aliens, robots and monsters to stop the evil Red Falcon from taking over the world!
• Featuring all new levels and graphics from the original Super Nintendo hit, Contra's fast paced shooting action will keep you on the edge of your seat!
• Exclusive original levels for the Game Boy Advance; Simultaneous 2 player game play (Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable sold separately & subject to availability).
• Awesome weapons include spreadshot, laser and flamethrower.
• Addictive 2D Contra shooting action.

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00006LEMM
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: November 5, 2002
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,048 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Manufacturer's Description

Based on the Contra III game for SNES, this fast-paced 2-D side-scrolling shooter has all the classic, addictive gameplay that has since become a hallmark of the series. This game features all-new levels that have been specially designed for the powerful GBA system. Players can also link up with a friend (link cable required) in the two-player simultaneous mode for twice the fun and firepower.

Product Description

Based on the Contra III game for SNES, this fast-paced 2-D side-scrolling shooter has all the classic, addictive gameplay that has since become a hallmark of the series. This game features all-new levels that have been specially designed for the powerful GBA system. Players can also link up with a friend (link cable required) in the two-player simultaneous mode for twice the fun and firepower.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good....well REALLY GOOD!!!, November 26, 2002

By 

S. Rhodes - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX (Video Game)

Its hard to believe no one knew this was on the Genesis, not as good as the SNES version, but still good nonetheless. All the best levels from the SNES and Genesis version (But still only six stages), all the great weapons are back but did Konami really feel they needed to up the difficulty level? I mean the first one was already Hard enough.

As mentioned, the best levels from Genesis and SNES are there, and its all in its glory. First of all, the game is still fun. the game also has six levels of pure difficulty with the same hard bosses as before. Some bosses have even been made harder! Also, you can link up and play with a friend if you want.

Now the bad...the music is good but coming out of the small GBA speakers it isn't as good as the SNES version. Also, as I said, Konami decided to up the difficulty level. Now, instead of carrying two different weapons you can only carry one weapon at a time. Even if all the great weapons have returned, you can only carry one instead of two. Second, because of the GBA's screen I suffered from a lot of cheap deaths that could've been avoided, and even though fun, playing as two players is still a little frustrating especially when all these cheap deaths are involved.

Overall this is a good game and a great re-release, but when they say Extreme you sure as hell better believe it.

On the good side
+Still has a good level of difficulty
+Updated graphics
+Combination of the best SNES and Genesis levels
+All those wonderful weapons return

But as with the pros come the cons
-Konami felt the need to make the game HARDER then it was!
-You can only carry one weapon at a time
-Some cheap deaths that could be avoided

The game is still great to play, but it isn't nearly as good as it was those years before

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not How I Remember It..., June 9, 2003

By 

who me? (Union hill, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX (Video Game)

I was so elated to find out Konami was releasing a new version of the SNES classic Contra 3 for the Gameboy Advance. To my disappointment, I didn't find myself having as much fun with this version as I did several years ago on my old 16 bit machine. My biggest gripe is that the game walks the fine line between excessively challenging and unenjoyably frustrating. What were the developers thinking? You can no longer toggle between weapons; rather whatever you pick up is what you shoot with. This wouldn't be a major issue if certain weapons weren't useless in certain situations. There are also no more bombs so you better pray you have quick reflexes to get you out of those super tight spots. Aside from the difficulty issue, the only other major flaw is the archaic password/save feature which is totally inconvinient for a portable game. Everything else is actually O.K. The game looks just like the old SNES version and has aged quite gracefully making for a really nice looking portable game. Controls are tight and alleviate some of the stress from the frantic learning curve. If your looking for an insanely hard shooting game (and I mean INSANELY HARD) for those long car rides, by all means Contra Advance is a perfect choice. For those looking for a game that is a little more enjoyable and rewards skill rather than luck, you should go somewhere else; and for the old Contra fans, pick it up used for some old thrills, then pull out your SNES and really put some time into the old game.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 16 Bit Memory lane..., April 14, 2003

By 

Gaijin "on the rock that spews lava.." (Hilo, HI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX (Video Game)

Contra Advance is a great title that is really much better than I anticipated it would be. At first glance, it seems like the SNES Contra III: Alien Wars, with levels from Hard Corps thrown in for good measure. Well, it is that, but I'm surprised at how well this conversion stacks up in today's age of 3D games. While this version has the SNES' overhead Mode 7 levels replaced with levels from the Genesis' Hard Corps game, it also has the restrictions of the GBA's smaller screen. Makes it a little tougher than the SNES version, as well as replacing the original's feature to have 2 different weapons with the ability to stay in one place and shoot in 8 directions or move and lock your line of fire in one. Better in some ways, but some will miss the 2 weapons feature. Also, music is of course not as good as the SNES version, but what GBA game has super music?

Graphics are identical to the original 16 bit titles, sound effects sound the same, but boss patterns have changed some. Also, because of screen size, there are some rather cheap deaths once in awhile. Surprisingly, this doesn't detract from the game at all. Plays as well as any Contra did. For a portable title, this game is excellent and it's goodness outshines any flaws.