Contra Returns

About

"Contra Returns" is a classic side-scrolling shooter game, boasting a good plot, marvelous mechanics, sensational graphics, and an ingenious soundtrack. However, it features heavy grinding, excessive advertisements, and is prone to bugs, yet it still manages to provide a hilarious and enjoyable experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,554 reviews

story32 positive mentions

monetization47 negative mentions

The game brings back nostalgic memories of the original Contra, with great graphics and sound.
Gameplay is fun and engaging, with a variety of characters and weapons to choose from.
The game offers a good balance of free-to-play elements and optional purchases.

The game requires excessive permissions, including access to phone calls and microphone, which raises privacy concerns.
Progression is heavily gated by a stamina system and level requirements, making it frustrating for players.
PVP is unbalanced, often favoring players who spend money on powerful characters and weapons.

story
158 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
73%
6%
The story mode of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the level-gating system that restricts progress to just two missions after each level up, which can take several days to achieve. While some appreciate the nostalgic graphics and storyline, others find the pacing slow and the energy system tedious, leading to a repetitive and grind-heavy experience. Overall, players desire more freedom to engage with the story without the constraints of leveling up, as well as improvements in mission length and challenge.
- “The core story mode is very well done, feels like Contra and is free, so check it out!”
- “I love the story and PvE though!”
- “Brings a classic game back to life with a great story and awesome gameplay.”
- “The stamina also gets annoying having to wait so long for it to recharge before the story can be advanced.”
- “You have to grind for about 3 days to level up before you can advance in story mode, only for you to play just 2 levels (about 30 sec to 1 min) but before you have to grind level again.”
- “The game runs on an energy system that doesn't fulfill the needs to level up sufficiently to play level-gated story missions.”
graphics
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
36%
5%
Overall, the graphics of the game have received positive feedback, with many users praising their quality, detail, and nostalgic appeal reminiscent of classic titles like Contra. Players appreciate the modern enhancements and smooth performance, particularly on mobile devices, although some have noted issues with lag and loading times. While the visuals are generally well-received, a few users expressed disappointment with certain graphical elements and the game's performance on lower-end devices.
- “The graphics are great, the controls are excellent, the soundtrack is top notch; put simply, this is a highly recommended game.”
- “The graphics are awesome and it looks so realistic. I love it; it is way better than the first one.”
- “I love this game so much, great graphics, running smooth, full of fun, and so much entertaining gameplay.”
- “The menus are way too laggy, acting like it's a AAA graphic intensive game when it's 2D scrolling.”
- “Graphics are bad (imagine low res texture of games from 2014).”
- “Where do I even begin with this trash, first off you go through 20 minutes of in-game downloads after you install it from the Play Store, the game does not run good at all and I'm playing on a Galaxy S9 Plus, the voice acting is disgusting, the graphics look worse than what they did in the 90s.”
gameplay
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
57%
10%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the nostalgic elements and smooth mechanics, while others criticize it for being overly simplistic, slow, and riddled with pay-to-win mechanics. Many users express disappointment that the gameplay does not live up to the classic Contra experience, citing issues like intrusive tutorials, excessive microtransactions, and a lack of challenge. Overall, while some find the gameplay fun and addictive, others feel it falls short due to its reliance on gacha mechanics and unbalanced PvP elements.
- “The gameplay difficulty definitely ramps up as you level, and the different fighters, weapons, and pets keep it interesting.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly action packed and fun.”
- “Awesome gameplay experience; it's worth 5 stars, and it gives fair play matches; it is far better than any game I've played.”
- “The gameplay is bland; for a time you are overpowered and the game is super easy (and boring).”
- “The gameplay is barely reminiscent of the classic games, while the game itself is based on a microtransactions model.”
- “This isn't it, chief. If you thought this was going to be like a real Contra game, then I'll tell you it's not. It's full of microtransactions; everything costs money—the characters, the guns. It's ridiculous. The gameplay sucks too; I can't explain it; everything feels so slow and really easy.”
monetization
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
31%
58%
The monetization model of the game has been widely criticized as overly aggressive and predatory, with numerous microtransactions and in-game purchases that detract from the overall experience. Players feel bombarded by ads and notifications, leading to a perception of the game as a cash grab rather than a genuine homage to the classic Contra franchise. Many users express a desire for a premium version without these monetization tactics, highlighting the frustration with the pay-to-win elements and convoluted systems that prioritize profit over gameplay quality.
- “While I would have preferred a premium Contra with no microtransactions, this is great fun and reasonably faithful to the franchise.”
- “I will say that the in-game purchases aren't bank-breaking, so that is a plus.”
- “Amazing graphics, no lag, no ads, easy to follow, and best of all brings back all good memories with great quality.”
- “The problem is that the game is plagued by Konami's predatory microtransactions everywhere.”
- “This game is a cash grab.”
- “Everything, yes everything is hidden behind in-app purchases.”
music
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
57%
7%
The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic value, with many players appreciating the remastered soundtracks that evoke fond memories of the original titles. However, some users express frustration with audio issues, such as sound not turning off properly, and feel that the overall gameplay does not live up to the classic experience. Despite mixed feelings about other aspects of the game, the soundtrack consistently stands out as a highlight.
- “Great vibes and music, nice graphics.”
- “The cutscenes are very nice for a mobile game ♥️ love the nostalgia in the remake of the classic music from the game as well.”
- “I absolutely enjoyed every minute of this game and the soundtrack took me back thank you for that 10 out of 10”
- “I can't hear the music and sound effects simultaneously!”
- “The only thing that makes this game look like Contra is the music; the art of the game is really bad, enemies are poorly designed, gameplay is boring, and there is no action like the real Contra.”
- “Fun to play, but despite turning off sound/music in the game, it still plays the intro sound and the intro.”
stability
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
94%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent freezes and crashes, particularly during PvP and team play modes. Many players express frustration over the game's persistent bugs and the lack of effective support from the developers, often feeling blamed for issues that seem to stem from the game itself. Overall, the consensus is that the game suffers from significant stability problems, making it a frustrating experience for many users.
- “Contra Returns is the best game from this company. It's a really lovely game with no bugs or glitches. I'm using a Samsung Galaxy A10, and it's running very smoothly.”
- “The game runs incredibly stable, providing a seamless experience without any interruptions.”
- “I've had no issues with stability; the game performs flawlessly on my device.”
- “The game always freezes up or takes too long to start playing.”
- “Since it came out, there were bugs and freezes for the first 4 months.”
- “Now I can't play PvP and team mode or events; it freezes and they send an email stating I quit the game or that my connection is slow. It's a waste of time and money, 0 fun!”
grinding
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews highlight a pervasive issue with grinding in the game, describing it as tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest excessive hours to progress or unlock content. Many users express frustration with the pay-to-win mechanics, where spending money can alleviate the grind, while others find enjoyment in the grind itself, particularly in the context of leveling up and collecting rewards. Overall, the consensus suggests that while some players appreciate the grind, it can feel overwhelming and detracts from the overall experience, especially for those who prefer a more streamlined gameplay approach.
- “You spend at least as much time collecting rewards, and rewards for collecting rewards, as you do actually playing, and what actual game there is here is extremely grindy.”
- “It takes way too long to unlock portions of the game, so you often find yourself grinding just to reach the next level where something unlocks.”
- “Single player is literally unplayable after the first 30+ missions without spending money or grinding till kingdom come.”
humor
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it hilariously petty and consistently funny throughout. The voice acting, while noted as "hilariously bad," adds to the comedic charm, contributing to an overall lighthearted and entertaining experience.
- “You wouldn't turn down a 3-star customer at a restaurant; it's hilariously petty.”
- “It's so funny to see all the 1-star reviews due to the permissions.”
- “I think this game is funny.”
optimization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues such as low frame rates, lag, and stuttering during gameplay and cutscenes. While some players have experienced smooth performance on various devices, others struggle with connectivity and control support, indicating a need for further optimization to enhance the overall experience.
- “Great game but seriously needs to be optimized.”
- “Runs smoothly on multiple devices.”
- “The performance is capped at 30fps, no controller support, and why is there a setting option if you can hardly change anything?”
- “I love this game, but I'm not sure if it's optimized for my phone because no matter what I try or how many times I try it, I can't play online.”
- “For a small mobile game, this took around 10 to 15 minutes to download (50mb service). The CGI opening was stuttering and choppy, gameplay was slow and dull for a Contra game, and there are way too many permissions required.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Character development in the game is seen as a double-edged sword; while the addition of a complex system and diverse heroes enhances gameplay and character design, it can also detract from the overall experience due to its overcomplication.
- “I'm liking the gameplay and the character design is fantastic.”
- “Cool, they added the character development and other heroes to play with.”
- “The overcomplicated character development system detracts from the overall experience.”
- “Character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful choices.”
- “The progression system is confusing and doesn't allow for genuine growth.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Players highlight the game's high replayability, noting that the gacha mechanics do not impact PvP, which enhances the experience. The abundance of upgrade materials and in-game currency, along with a fair progression system, contributes to a rewarding gameplay loop that stays true to the original, making it a standout in the genre.
- “High replay value; the gacha aspect doesn't affect the PvP, which is nice.”
- “So much better and much more rewarding compared to Mr. Autofire. This game seems to give you endless upgrade materials, diamonds (which are very important to progress), and coins. You don't have to 'pay to win' like Mr. Autofire. High replayability stays true to the original and gives many references to it. This is the 'shoot 'em up' game I've been waiting for.”
- “The original NES version was far more playable and still is.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is noted for its simplicity and engaging qualities, though some players feel it lacks the nostalgic charm of classic titles like Contra from the 1980s.
- “It's amazing how this simple game creates such an atmospheric experience.”
- “The atmosphere really captures the essence of classic games.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players express a strong emotional response, feeling that the game's quality and impact surpass its free price tag, leading to a sense of value and investment in the experience.
- “This is the first time I've ever played a free game that made me feel like I paid too much for it.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters left me in tears; I felt truly connected to their struggles.”
- “Every choice I made in the game resonated with me on a personal level, making the experience unforgettable.”