The game is stage-based with 8 stages, mostly side-scrolling but interrupted by top-down sections. Players move with the directional controls, jump, and fire, while collecting weapon upgrades such as the spread gun and other power-ups. Overhead stages allow eight-direction movement and shooting, with emphasis on dodging turrets, bullets, and traps. Progress is linear, and losing all lives forces a restart from the current run.

Bill Rizer

One of the series' main heroes, a skilled soldier fighting the alien threat.

Lance Bean

Bill's partner and a frontline commando in the Contra force.

Red Falcon Organization

The hostile organization behind the game's alien assault.

Keep a spread-type weapon whenever possible for better crowd control. In top-down stages, keep moving to avoid being boxed in by enemy fire. For bosses, clear smaller threats first and then focus on the main target. Learning fixed weapon and enemy spawn points makes the run much easier.

UUDDLRLRBA

No reliable official effect is confirmed for this game, so it is not listed as a valid cheat.

Tips and tricks

Do not overcommit when the screen fills with bullets; reposition first.

Tips and tricks

In overhead stages, diagonal movement helps with dodging and aiming.

Tips and tricks

Weapon retention is crucial because firepower dramatically affects survival.

User Reviews

Fast-paced stages and varied set pieces make it a strong sequel.

User Reviews

Still brutally hard, but the weapon handling feels great.

User Reviews

The overhead stages give the game a welcome sense of variety.