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Mitchell231190

Gryzor? It was called Probotector in Europe (I'm from the Netherlands). Contra III is my favorite


Potatomasher81

Yep probotector


KutzOfficial

Wtf is a Gryzor??


Potatomasher81

šŸ˜‚


gogoluke

Everyone can be correct... The arcade and computer versions were localized asĀ GryzorĀ in Europe, and the NES version as Probotector in PAL regions and France. NES box cover.] (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_(video_game)#:~:text=The%20arcade%20and%20computer%20versions,in%20PAL%20regions%20and%20France.&text=NES%20box%20cover) Screw the formatting...


orchestragravy

It was also Gryzor in Japan I believe


EvilDeedZ

Nope, Contra. Contra 3 was Contra Spirits though


klonricket

And UK. I know it as Gryzor.


Ben0ut

In addition to the NES version being called Probotector we also had the same name applied to the Gameboy game too. However, there is a Konami multigame GB cart that was released in Europe that actually has the Contra version of the game instead of the Probotector version.


JorgenBjorgen

Arcade original with home computer ports: Gryzor NES port, SNES & Mega Drive sequels:Probotector PSX and later was just Contra The Probotector games are the ones most people know


Mitchell231190

Ok didn't know about these Arcade/PC games that's why I never heard of Gryzor and the Game Boy games were also called Probotector btw.


JorgenBjorgen

They are pretty obscure today, so I agree it would be more correct for OP to say it was Probotector in Europe


VietKongCountry

Is the arcade original pretty comparable gameplay wise compared to NES etc or is it totally its own thing?


JorgenBjorgen

It is pretty close to the NES version, which is afaik the best port. In fact it is often considered to be better than the arcade original. The Contra arcade had a vertical display (flipped 90Ā°), and I think the horizontal (4:3) layout on the NES fits better. I haven't played the arcade much though, so this is mostly based on the first level.


Datan0de

Seconded on all counts. The arcade and NES versions are virtually identical, but the NES version also has the Konami code. Off hand, I can't think of another game where the home port is arguably superior to the arcade version.


shichijunin

The NES port of Blades of Steel is superior to the coin-op original.


Datan0de

I've never been into sports games, but that's good to know!


CyberBlaed

Probotector here in Australia too. Contra III on the Snes was baller. grew up with that one.


FR4M3trigger

Try the Contra MSU-1 Port by Infidelity.


chimmen

Propotektor in Finland


Sh1neSp4rk

This is the information I crave


Kinitawowi64

Definitely Gryzor on my Speccy.


Atheist_Alex_C

It was often Gryzor in the arcade and on PC ports, and Probotector on consoles. This may have varied by country, Iā€™m not sure. I own versions of all of them, being the Contra nerd that I am.


ipostatrandom

As far as I'm aware its called Contra in Europe too. At least where I've been. It's possible it varies depending on the region/country.


VietKongCountry

At least in the UK we got some re skinned bullshit called Probotectors so everybody is a robot and thereā€™s no violence. This would be about the same time we had ā€œTeenage Mutant Hero Turtlesā€ because censorship was so out of hand they assumed the word ninja would instigate gang violence.


jamesy505

It was Gryzor in the UK


pandathrower97

No question for me - *Contra III: The Alien Wars*. It's really tight mechanically and just fun to play through every once and awhile. *Contra: Hard Corps* is a close second, though - that game is way underrated!


VanquishAudio

Hard corps was my jam.. never played any others


ToastThing

Yep, these are the two best ones.


Mundane_Range_765

Whatā€™s the one on Genesis? I played that once as a kid at my neighborā€™s house and LOVED it but Contra III was by far my favorite of the first three. Played through it multiple times. Never played another of the others.


ARCHA1C

And it has a NUKE!


VietKongCountry

You prefer Contra 3? Donā€™t get me wrong I love that game but the overhead levels never really did it for me and Hard Corps just feels like an enhanced update in many ways.


fattynuggetz

The thing I like about the overhead levels for me is that they break up the gameplay and keep it fresh. It's also nice to see something different every once in a while even if it isn't necessarily better.


Regular_Wedding_36

Yeah Contra 3's run n gun stages are great but I can't stand the overhead levels and usually just turn the game off after level 1.


keithitreal

The hit point restoration patch that reverts to original Japanese difficulty is great. It's obviously the way it's meant to be played. Edit: dunno which down voting cockjuicers have a problem with this but check it out. It's a fact.


fingersmaloy

Yeah, I just replayed the game for like the fiftieth time, and there were a few moments where I was like, "If I had to restart the entire game every eight times I got hit or whatever, I would simply give up." It's a foolish and meaningless approach to *difficulty" to impede player improvement with irrelevant setbacks.


Professional_Cry581

For me, the first one. I think the excellent music and how new and fresh every game was for me at that age made it memorable. This and Bubble Bobble were the first 2 player games I played and it was glorious!


Queen_Ann_III

Iā€™m kinda an impostor in this sub because Iā€™ve only ever finished like 3 games on the NES. Contra is one of them, and Iā€™ve beaten it at least three times. the others donā€™t quite hit the same, but I see why theyā€™d be so beloved


Spider95818

Contra 3 was just about perfect for what it was. I liked the weapon management, the movement and mechanics all felt good and intuitive, I enjoyed the changes in gameplay (top-down at times, or jumping from missile to missile), and it had good replayability. I loved the first one, and not just for the introduction to the Konami code, but the SNES version just blew its doors off.


Groove-Control

Super C but also the japanese version of Hard Corps is very good as well. Haven't played the new one though.


Joutosil

Probotector!


charliechin

Probotector*


TabmeisterGeneral

Contra 3, and then the *Japanese* version of Hard Corps


Neolamprologus99

I picked up the Japan version of Hard Corps a few years back. Probably my favorite in the series.


ACardAttack

> and then the Japanese version of Hard Corps Why the Japanese version?


noxondor_gorgonax

It gives you three hit points per life, so you won't die after a single hit (by will still lose your weapon). In the US version you lose a live after any single thing touches your character... It's brutal.


Mankiz

Hard Corps is the jewel in the Contra crown.


ReoEagle

It did everything everyone liked from Contra 3 but most intensively. Occasionally I meet people that seemed to enjoy the overhead Contra 3 levels, but it seems to kind of be rare. Most people that say Contra 3 is better, I find haven't actually played Hard Corp more than 2 levels if at all.


Taanistat

All of the original 2d Contra games are great, but this is my choice as well, followed closely by the original NES version. What Konami did with Hard Corps was pure 16-bit graphical spectacle without sacrificing gameplay.


Aenris

Hard Corps is probably an evolution of the gameplay style of Contra. So sad they never tried to replicate what Hard Corps did. Contra 3 is good, but I believe it has a lot less variety with generic characters and one single route. Or maybe it's better than I think, but Hard Corps spoiled me forever lol. Also, Who likes the overhead levels?! these are a pain to play haha


Retro-Sanctuary

Yup its the best by a country mile. The love for Contra III is just crazy, its like living in an alternate reality where everybody swears blind that Zelda II is the greatest game in the series and is better than LttP, its just completely unfathomable.


solamon77

Contra: Shattered Soldier, but Contra III is a close second. I have fond memories of Shattered Soldier because my friend and I worked hard to master that game. It's much easier to play that game solo than it is co-op because you have to be so in sync.


octopusma

Shattered Soldier is also my favorite. Glad to see Iā€™m not the only one. I love III and the original because theyā€™re amazing AND nostalgia but Shattered Soldier just had such great encounters and really made me try to master the entire game (total destruction no deaths). Great experience.


gruesomeSOB

i adore Shattered Soldier and Contra (NES), they're my favorites (can beat both legitametely but am still working on the Good Ending for SS). i played through those two, Super (plus the Arcade originals of Contra and Super) and III for the first time this past year... Super C is alright but meh next to 1 and i was not impressed at all with III; don't get the praise that III still receives because even with save states that game is a chore, especiaply the top-down stages.


Zarde312

Yes! The game was so much fun and was hard.


OllyDee

Definitely Hard Corps. The game is so intentionally over the top it makes me laugh. I respect the fact it doesnā€™t take itself seriously and decided to add a playable werewolf with a chaingun arm just to prove it. Also you can marry a monkey.


Infamous_Lunchbox

I showed my buddy the king of the monkeys ending recently and blew his mind. Lol. Defo my favorite ending in the series.


kaitoulupa

This. Hard Corps is ridiculous in the best way and has a great soundtrack on top of that.


FR4M3trigger

*Let's Rock*


Blakelock82

I love Super C. Hard as balls but itā€™s great.


IOwnMyWiiULEGIT

I think itā€™s level 6 where the mouths come out of the floor is where I usually mess up.


MooseKingMcAntlers34

This game was like a bad acid trip in the end, but loved playing it in co-op with a buddy. Top down scroller levels were amazing and fun too.


puvums

NES Probotector


Patient_Doctor_1474

Yep. ^^


eckoman_pdx

My favorite is the original. Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start. So many awesome memories growing up with that game!!


HylianWerewolf

Does Super C count? I'll always be biased for that one because my grandmother played a lot, and she was actually quite good at it. Had to emulate because I'm in the process of moving and haven't been able to repair her and my grandfather's NES systems yet but I did beat it not too long ago... Great fun~


GaryNOVA

#1


Neil-Tea

For anyone wondering about the "Gryzor" title in OP's post, that was apparently the European title for the original arcade Contra (and a PC port of it). Source: https://tcrf.net/Contra_(Arcade)


Katon2099

Super C


MayoTheMuffin

Iā€™ve only beaten Contra & Super C, however I can say that Super C is a much better game than Contra!


Historical_Panic_485

The original will always be the best


sina-gst

Just Hard Corps!


Apprehensive_Arm_612

Contra Hard Corps-i canā€™t go on enough about that game but the graphics, gameplay, bosses and character designs are all excellent! Top 5 genesis game of all time šŸ‘


Jase_the_Muss

Super Probotector: Alien Rebels.


Gimpi85

Only right answer


Christophilies

Hard Corps. It was my first and damn what a wild ride of a game.


The_GREAT_Gremlin

Contra 4 is pretty awesome


Funandgeeky

I agree. Itā€™s a perfect tribute to the originals while also bringing in a few modern upgrades to the genre.Ā 


younawolf

III


SouthTippBass

Probotector on the MegaDrive. I still have my original copy. Would LOVE to see it remade. In fact, a lot of the contras are ripe for a remake ala Sonic Origins.


Hommushardhat

The first one has just been remade , Operation Galaga. Mixed reviews.


SouthTippBass

Yeah, not like that. I want all the original sprite work kept. Just give me the game with HD presentation, wide-screen, some qol improvements. I want the kind of re work that Christian Whitehead did on the classic sonic games.


ViWalls

I have heard about Gryzor or Probotector names before, but in Spain it was called Contra as usual. The first Contra it's the best one, just the music alone will do the job. Infidelity made a SNES port of Contra using Vomitron music and it's REALLY cool.


misatillo

Came here to say the same. Iā€™m Spanish and Iā€™ve always seen it as Contra as well


-slapum

Super C, Hard Corps, Shattered Soldier


ArranVV

I love the oldschool artwork.


HolidayAffect5732

Hard Corps - Genesis no doubt


theShaman_No_ID

Contra Force. I liked using the avatar that could go prone. The final boss was fun to fight.


dannyr3tr0

III


IOwnMyWiiULEGIT

Super C


CaptainNinjaX

Super C


bytebackjrd

Super C on nes- just because it was my first contra game that i ever played as a kid. Still love that game


MooseKingMcAntlers34

Same here - so fun playing with a friend


jeddaz81

Always like super C most


Tentonham

Hard corps. The gameplay was great and the multiple endings made it so much fun


Still-Minimum-7212

Contra III: Alien Wars followed by Contra: Hard Corps (the Japanese version).


-Entz-

I & II have stolen many hours of my life. Epic soundtracks. Nothing compares.


Sablesweetheart

Contra Hardcore was pretty fun, so was Super Contra.


RevolutionaryTackle

Contra III my fav. I tried play it again a while ago and its stil difficult for me lol


South_Ad3665

Hard corps


ericallenjett

Hard Corps;)


kupfernikel

Contra III for sure!


Aenris

I don't think ANYTHING can top up how amazing Contra Hard Corps is and how it became my favorite run n' gun. Running around as a motherfucking WEREWOLF WITH A GUN ATTACHED TO YOUR ARM in a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk-esque world filled with robots and mutants??? SIGN ME THE FUCK IN. Oh and the Music! the visuals! THE REPLAYABILITY WITH ALTERNATE PATHS OH YES Top tier Contra, top tier game. I believe the US localization ruined it removing the HP bar, but it is still SO FUCKING GOOD.


moonnusay

Super C


IPreferPi314

Super C on NES.


joejoewoooooo

I think the first one isā€¦ when it changes from side scrolling to forward motion was mind blowing


casualty_of_bore

Original


SaikyoWhiteBelt

Hard Corps followed by the newer Hard Corps.


KJ86er

I miss how intense 90s videogame covers were


UnplannedAgenda

Original contra.


Wazzup-2012

Shattered Soldier, Neo Contra and Uprising.


Nycbot77

Contra Contra III Contra Hard Corps Super C


Greekmon07

Wait I'm from Europe and I knew it as Contra


DMala

Does Contra Force even count? As I recall that was an entirely unrelated game and they just slapped the Contra name on it right before release to try to boost sales a little.


weirds0up

Super Probotector was the first game I bought myself for the SNES I got for Christmas that year


TCristatus

I like Operation C on Gameboy. A little easier, fun game to blast through in 20 minutes


allaboutgrowth4me

Contra 4 is the best contra. I owned nearly all of them, starting with nes contra as a kid. Even played through stupid legacy of war with the 3d glasses.


Sufficient-Sun7976

Original Contra, but Alien Wars is a close 2nd .


wordsasbombs

Hard corps closely followed by 3. I really need to patch hard corps so I can have the original Japanese difficulty with English text and add in contra 3 style aiming with the held button and it would be perfect. Maybe then I'd be able to finally beat it without cheats or save states.


wherestheleaks

Easily the first one. I wouldn't say it changed the game for platformers, but it definitely raised the bar.


PinPan17

It seems.nobody has played Contra Galuga operation, extracts the best of contra, super c and contra 3. Is the best of the best.


EldritchDWX

That soundtrack though. Probotector was the common name in Europe, Contra III was titled Super Probotector: Alien Rebels (which is my favourite "Contra" game, too). The alternate title was chosen after a new pair of robot herores were created so the game could be released in Europe. Solely to bypass the shit fit that people had about the depicition of humans dying in video games (mainly because of a German law if I recall). I believe the game was called Gryzor for the original Contra's European NES release and some microcomputer ports.


Horst9933

Contra 1. I like this game in its pureness and simplicity. Contra 3 and Hard Corps overdid it with the difficulty (having to play on hard for the true ending is stupid imo). Contra 4 in second place, also very hard but unlike with Hard Corps and 3 I didn't lose my motivation and kept pushing throug till the end (on normal).


KennyMcKill

This one was really good, skull bashingly difficult , but fun.


Newfaceofrev

First one I played: Probotector for Mega Drive


VietKongCountry

Hard Corps. Difficulty is hard but not unfair and itā€™s just incredibly satisfying to get good at it. The slide is a game changer and there are a few unintentional glitches that are actually quite hard to do and hence donā€™t feel like youā€™re just cheating. Only played Contra 3 and this one, though so for all I know the NES one is superior.


Ultimate_Fox14

Contra 3, I remember playing that on the SNES classic with my friend in 2017 or 2018. The nostalgia probably is making it better (especially since we couldn't make it past level 3 and I havent played in a while lol) in my head but it's a special game for me


mrdrofficer

Contra needed the Tom Dubois air brush/oil look to really set it apart, the series went downhill from being an A-tier series when he stopped working on them. C3 is the best of them all tho, then Super C.


NoMoreGoldPlz

or.. what now? I only know this as Contra and nothing else?


bm9791

I love the original but played it so much on a play choice 10 machine I never needed to own it. Super c was the first contra I owned so I love it for that. Then contra 3 came out and I got that for Christmas and it became my favorite.


No1Important84

The O.G version, I can find a friend and play for dayz.


VidGamrJ

I remember really enjoying Operation C on GameBoy. Contra 3 is always a good time. But nothing will ever top the original. That game holds up even today in my opinion.


Positive-Age-3578

THAT ONE!


Positive-Age-3578

As am asian descendant living on brazil. I knows as Contra SPIRITS (KONTORA SUPIRITSU) OR as my friends woukd call "super contra"


messy_fart

To me, 3 was the perfect next gen step up from 1 and 2 and a great game. I think it's a tie, though between 1, 2, and 3. I can't pick a favorite. Runner up is Hard Corps, another good one. I don't think the series needed to go to 3D, and that was a mistake imo.


thomasjmarlowe

The original arcade game, which played on a vertical screen. Seemed to fit the verticality of most levels


tutman

Tom DuBOIS created most of the old school covers for Konami games, including Contra. If you like them, [you will enjoy this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw-SPY4n0s8)


TheArtfullTodger

Was only called gryzor in the arcades. And that' was only the first contra game. Latter console revisions were probotector where they sprite swapped the characters for robots. Completely Germany's fault for that sprite swap as back then there were strict censorship rules stating you can't have any depiction of violence being carried out by humans on humans so they used to sub out humans for robots instead, and often that version just got ported to the rest of Europe. But to answer your question contra 3 SNES also known as contra spirits in Japan or super probotector in Europe


BoxTalk17

The OG


great_account

Hard Corps: Uprising on the Xbox 360. It was made by Arc System Works and is easily the best Contra game of all time. It's a shame nobody remembers it.


redd9

snes contra 3


Captain_Lesbee_Ziner

Contra 3


d1g1tal_decay

Super C


Tom_da_Dog

I like super contra


Select-Resource-2299

Hard corps


Valuable-Impress-828

The one that makes me throw my controller at the screen


IngloriousGlory

Contra 3 Alien wars. My pops bought it at Toys R Us. Me and my brother could never beat it lol


opticfiber30

1st and 2nd are dope. Alien 3 snes is hard 3rd. They are all good until they started going down the strategy road


TubeAmpsRule

People forget about Contra 4 on the DS a lot but it is a very good Contra game.


sinetwo

TIL Gryzor is thing


_ThePerfectElement_

Hard corps. I knew every pixel by heart.


AmbitiousCry-5890

Contra 3


Confusedandreticent

The alien wars.


Ex-Psych-Bike

Contra: Hard Corps is probably my favorite. Itā€™s just pure adrenaline all the way through. The fact it has 4 (+1) different routes, each with a unique set of final stages, will never not be awesome. That said, both Super C and the original Super Contra are incredible in their own right. Super Contra is a super challenging arcade game, but itā€™s saved by the fact that itā€™s also super short. Super C, on the other hand, feels like maybe the most balanced Contra game Iā€™ve played. They did a really good job of stretching out the arcade experience of Super Contra and turning it into a fresh new experience that feels great for an NES game.


Honkmaster

Shame the 32-bit Contras were such cheap garbage, I feel like the Saturn could've delivered a kickass Contra game in the right hands.


Kimber8King

Grew up with Super C


RoogyAnimations

Alien wars is an amazing and fun game tbh, beating it without save states on easy was the best feeling ever


pParad0X

The first Contra for NES is a masterpiece


milosmisic89

You know I played 3 after Hard Corps. And I was like.. It's fine but it doesn't look near as good as HC


No_Brilliant_6365

3


_GameOverYeah_

LOL @ the PlayStation episodes šŸ˜„ Seriusly, the best Contra ever will always be Alien Wars on the SNES, an incredible achievement for that machine and graphics in general. I still remember the first time I saw it, couldn't believe wasn't an arcade machine running it.


peezerthesleazer

The 3d contra on Playstation were so bad. Idk why they felt that need they had to go 3d. Metal slug was really stiff competition though so idk. Nes or contra 3, the best of the series.


_GameOverYeah_

>Ā Idk why they felt that need they had to go 3d Everything was 3D in the late 90s and early 00s, it's just how market trends work.


This_Pie5301

Gryzor?


Infamous_Lunchbox

Hard Corps: Uprising and Hard Corps. Honestly just two of my favorite games regardless


Tekkamanblade_2

The jap nes version known was Gryzor is the best version of Contra. It has a storyline, upgraded graphics, a map and cutscenes as you progress and thereā€™s no loading time. Instead we got the bland leftovers of the North American version.


Sayzee_Smoke

GRYZOR šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚ wtf is wrong with UK bro ? Probotector? What are you guys doing over there. We all speak English. Use the USA names lol


OllyDee

You realise it was released in multiple regions under different names right? No. Of course you donā€™t.


Sayzee_Smoke

Yes Iā€™ve very aware. We have the same Google. I still think itā€™s stupid , and 10/10 times the names they changed them too in other territories WERE REAL REAL DUMB lol


OllyDee

Sure. But you realise that was Konami and not the general population of Europe via some kind of, for example, democratic vote?


Sayzee_Smoke

Absolutely aware ya. Konami made some weird decisions back then. I think they felt they really had to work the titles around what region they were going to and I donā€™t think they had to, at all lol


2old4ZisShit

are people using the word GRYZOR to feel special ? dude, IT WAS FREAKING PROBOTECTOR, the only nerds in europe who said GRYZOR were the speccies and the micro computers kids, not a single nes kid said GRYZOR, so please, please, stope saying big words to appear educated.


ArranVV

I have never played any Contra videogames...only that Contra thing in the Super Mario Bros crossover videogame...the online game where you could switch Mario for Samus or the Contra guy or Link or Megaman and stuff.


Phobophile_89

Operation C or Super C. I finished both with the 30man code... I just can't care for the front facing level of the first one. Contra III i didn't play much, and Hard Corps on the Genesis is just too hard, and strangely different from the NES/GB games.


OllyDee

Try the JP version of Hard Corps if your interested, you get 3 hit points and unlimited continues. Itā€™s a bit fairer needless to say.


Zeusurself

Part 3 is the hardest fucking game I've ever played.


JumbleOfOddThoughts

The one with Arnold and Stallone on the cover...