Contra review

Contra is the best two-player game on the list. Konami sells it today in Contra Anniversary Collection, which it describes as a run and gun series where you grab power-ups and blast through waves of enemies and bosses that test your reflexes, alone or with a friend. The collection includes both the North American and Japanese NES versions of Contra, Super C, Contra III and Contra Hard Corps, plus a digital Bonus Book with concept documents and an interview with the series producer. It costs $19.99 on Steam. Collectors pay much more: the used cartridge lists at $69.99 at DKOldies before sales, tied with the gold Zelda as the most expensive here, which is the main reason it ranks last on value. Konami's page also says the games will put your reaction skills to the test and hints that you will want the famous code for extra lives. For two players who want pure action, nothing on the NES beats it.

Who it is for

Two players on one couch who want a fast, hard shooter.

Price

Used NES cartridge from $69.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $69.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Run and gun action for one player or two together
• Power-ups to grab while fighting waves of enemies and bosses
• Anniversary Collection includes the North American and Japanese NES versions
• Collection also includes Super C, Contra III and Contra Hard Corps
• Digital Bonus Book with concept documents and a producer interview

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Best two-player game on the list
• Strength: Contra Anniversary Collection is $19.99 on Steam
• Strength: Fast to start: pick up the controller and play
• Weakness: The most expensive cartridge here at $69.99 used, tied with Zelda
• Weakness: Konami pitches it as a test of reaction skills, so it is hard
• Weakness: Single cartridge holds one game, while the collection holds several

Key facts

• Publisher: Konami
• Genre: Run and gun
• Players: 1 or 2
• Legal re-release: Contra Anniversary Collection, $19.99 on Steam
• Versions in the collection: Contra (NA) and Contra (JP)

Where it ranks

Contra is No. 9 in our Best NES Games of All Time verdict.