Contra: NES or arcade?

[Gamereviewgod]

After playing the aracde version of Contra in MAME, I find myself leaning towards the NES renditions. The control seems tighter and the jumping mechanics are much simpler. This poll pertains to the first game and Super C. Thoughts?

[Sotenga]

Any topic about Contra automatically beckons me... ;)

I voted for the NES version, mostly because the control, music, and overall gameplay is better on the NES. Both games are actually quite different, but I think the NES version had more to offer. The arcade game ends WAY too soon. I grew up on the NES game. That's pretty much all I have to say regarding my landslide desicion.

[sniperCCJVQ]

NES Contra his better, the level are longer, the music better and the control is sharper.

The arcade got some little extra like the snow in the later level and the jungle in the first level.

[Ed Oscuro]

I can't say I think the slightly extended Famicom Contra really affects the balance even if you're leaning toward the arcade version since the changes are so insignificant (I do like the animated jungle plants but the swaying leaves effect does look a bit unnatural after a while).

The arcade rendition really has some neat stuff, but on the whole the NES version is more polished. Graphics especially-stuff like your guy's jump and the overall look of the levels--seem nicer. Music is very well done by the standards of either system.

The NES Contra is much less confusing at playtime and there's less chance of screwing up. While I like the unique aspect ratio for the arcade version, it's not really a bonus. The aspect ratio in the home versions, on the other hand, works perfectly.

For Super Contra/Super C, I'd have to say first that I like the logo for the Japanese arcade version much more than the ugly, uninspired, and depressing piece of crap that we got. The glowing blue Super is awesome. Don't much care for the clothes ripping off the guys on the arcade one--besides that, they look a bit too human for me to be shooting up. Of the home versions I'd say I enjoy Probotector 2 greatly, as they did keep enemy designs from the later levels intact.

[davidbrit2]

NES, definitely. Control is just way too sluggish in the arcade versions. And the vertically mounted screen makes it a little tricky to see what's ahead.

[Arqueologia_Digital]

NES for me...

[Oobgarm]

Christ, no contest. Nes 100%. The jumping animation in the arcade is embarrassingly awful, if "embarassingly" is even a word.

[calthaer]

All I have to say about it is:

"WHAHT EES THEES PLEYHCE?!"

EDIT: OK so I went back and the accent on it isn't that strong, but they still made the guy Ed Oscuro shows you in the next post sound like Ahnold.

[Ed Oscuro]

http://home.comcast.net/~edoscuro/witp.gif
What is this place?

Might as well throw out that one just in case anybody wanted it :)

Also, in the game's OST there's a drawing of Lucia, with various bits of the Contra SS online comic tacked to the walls behind her--one of which reads "What the hell is this place? Rather interesting considering it's the Japanese version. So that's here, (http://www.classicgaming.com/contra/games/ss/cdinside.jpg) and the page from the comic here (http://www.classicgaming.com/contra/games/ss/comic_06.jpg) (speaking of which, I see there's a bug which needs a fixing on that page).

[16bit]

yes i like NES version as well. but i like more on japanese version since it has cool intro and intermission scenes + maps etc. 8-)

[NE146]

I first played Contra in the arcades. Then months later of course on the NES. Once I got acquainted with the NES version I went to try it out again at the arcade and I was AMAZED at how much I thought the NES version was better. It seemed to me at the time that the graphics were sharper and much better overall. However, today, it doesn't seem so much "better" as much as "tighter". They're both good, but I still prefer the NES version.

Oh and I agree with 16bit above. :P I too prefer the JAPANESE famicom Contra over the NES version as well for all the same reasons. I just play it on an emu though..

[Ed Oscuro]

yes i like NES version as well. but i like more on japanese version since it has cool intro and intermission scenes + maps etc. 8-)

The intro really isn't that cool, and the intermission scens/maps just serve to dilute the action. I don't like it.

It's true that the Famicom version actually stays true to the story as in the Japanese version (the year 2636 or whatever) but does it really matter? Doesn't make much sense for guys to be running around that far in the future with helicopters and shotguns anyways (unless technology virtually came to a standstill which I suppose they might be suggesting here).

I'm of the personal opinion that the reason the NES version was so good was that they stripped down the game into its essential elements and got rid of all the extraneous crap, which is essentially what I think of the Famicom "enhancements."

[Dire 51]

NES version for me too. Truthfully I haven't spent all that much time with the arcade version, but I've played enough of it to know that I do like the NES version better.

[Captain Wrong]

NES, b/c I don't know who thought Contra should be played in tate mode but that person was wrong. Plus, as has been mentioned, the NES rev is a bit tighter. And I just feel nostalgic about the NES game. Hell, I didn't even know there was an arcade version for years.

[captain nintendo]

This was tough for me. I own the contra arcade as well as the
nes version....I honestly love both.
I did vote home version however.

[NE146]

I'm of the personal opinion that the reason the NES version was so good was that they stripped down the game into its essential elements and got rid of all the extraneous crap, which is essentially what I think of the Famicom "enhancements."

You didn't like the swaying trees in the first stage or the falling SNOW in the snow stage? :?

[Ed Oscuro]

The swaying trees in the Famicom version. Just looked terribly artificial, and that sort of thing distracts you from the action.

Played the arcade version again--like the trees there. Oh I do like my lush green non-threatening pixels, I do.

[Miguel_The_Machine]

I would have to go with the NES Contra...a great game :D

[Neil Koch]

NES version... the arcade version just looks strange to me and I think the NES version plays better.

[NintendoMan]

I voted for the home version. Contra kept me playing for hours on the nes. I liked the arcade version, but since I coudl paly it at home, without spending a bunch $ in quaters, I picked the home version.

[gamergary]

Nes version of contra you can break that version if you get frustrated and easily replace it.

[VG_Maniac]

I played the arcade version of Contra on MAME. Its graphics may be better, but the play control was not as good as in the NES version. Gameplay over graphics!

[VGfan]

The NES one is one my favorite games but I don't like the arcade one at all. It looks worse and it plays worse.

[Jumpman Jr.]

Home Contra for sure... you can't beat something once its on the NES.

[Jagasian]

The NES Contra is part of my life. I used to play it for hours on end, everyday, with my brothers, when I was younger. We got to the point where we could get through the entire game without dying, without cheats, without enhanced controllers, and in fact by the end of the game we would actually have a few more lives than we started with as you get extra lives for points.

The trick? COOP and spread. Get spread and then "rapid" powerups, for speeding up the spread, if I remember correctly. So just never touch any other kind of powerup. Then the obvious is "don't die". It takes team work to help eachother not die, as with both players weilding spread augmented with rapid, you can cover the entire screen with bullets if needed :)

Without saying, this is a game that is still fun to play today, with a buddy of course. Contra is only half the game when played alone.

[Dr. Morbis]

The NES one is one my favorite games but I don't like the arcade one at all. It looks worse and it plays worse.
...and it sounds worse; that's strike three.