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Contra is synonymous with gamers' most treasured and torturous memories of Konami Codes and one-hit kills. The classic shooter has made its way back into our lives, at least in Japan anyway. Joining the ranks of Gradius Rebirth, Contra Rebirth (is anyone else seeing a pattern here?) is the latest in Konami's much celebrated franchise, available only on the Nintendo Wii and as a WiiWare title.
Contra Rebirth has a storyline. That much can be gathered from the brief cut scenes between each stage. But if you are familiar with this series, you basically know the gist: malevolent alien forces are once again running amok and it's up to you to put a stop to it. Players take control of Bill Rizer, hero of the original Contra and long running series' protagonist, and Yagyu(Jaguar) of Neo Contra fame.
 Contra Rebirth is broken up into five distinct levels, and while that seems a tad on the short side, there is plenty challenge to be found so don't expect this old-school affair to end quickly. The level design is what you expect from a Contra title; the opening stage is a prelude for the madness that is sure to come. By this mission's end you will have spelunked down an alien invested cavern, jumped off the back of mechanical llamas, and run across a swarm of alien monstrosities. The graphics are presented in splendid 2D glory complete with a myriad of color and excellent animation. The bosses are as massive as they are formidable, filling the screen with all sorts of craziness. Be prepared to jump, a lot.
Weapons come in three flavors: Spread Gun, Laser Rifle, and Homing Missile. Much like the series' Nintendo DS debut Contra 4, you can switch between two different weapons. Giving your Wii remote a good flick will cycle through your weapon duo but you can just as easily enter your trusty Configuration Menu and assign a button of your choosing for all your weapon swapping needs.
 This is a side-scrolling shooter, plain and simple. Enemies will advance by the masses and as you blast through the endless waves, bright explosions and singed body parts will cover the entire screen. So much even, that it will often be difficult to tell what is really going on, the 2D carnage too much for your senses to handle. And while this is incredibly satisfying to gawk at, when you are playing a game which thrives off of player reaction out of fear of the dreaded one-hit kill, wayward enemy fire can sometimes get lost in the insanity, resulting in unnecessary annoyances and untimely deaths.
Rebirth grants the player checkpoints between stages and an infinite amount of continues to fall back on. There are times when the game can be utterly cheap, putting you in positions you can't possibly avoid. As frustrating as some of these spots can be, the checkpoints and unlimited continues go a long way to boil down the frustration.
And this brings up the main gripe with Contra Rebirth: the challenge. Veterans will have their share of mumbled curses under their breaths and will comes across the continue screen more often than they'd like. However with the inclusion of checkpoints and a bottomless well of continues at your disposal, Rebirth will rarely demand perfection from the gamer. This creates a reckless atmosphere, making your primary focus to reach the level's checkpoint rather than to play with absolute survival in mind. It makes the title a little easier than its predecessors.
 But even so, it is hard to knock down such a terrific title. Rebirth has a wonderful way of tapping into the series' original titles. The helicopter from Super C can be seen in plain sight as Contra veteran Bill Rizer and Yagyu disembark from the hovering craft to take care of business. The soundtrack is full of classic Contra tunes, a nostalgic reminder of the franchise's NES days.
Contra Rebirth is a great addition to the WiiWare library and a shining example of what makes gaming so gosh darn fun. It's an intense campaign into to the very heart of an alien evil, an explosion-filled rollercoaster ride of epic proportions. Gamers would do well to hope that this title make its way stateside. It is everything you know and love about Contra. Welcome back old friend.
Fun Factor: Grab a friend and relive some instantly recognizable gameplay. Good times had by all.
Difficulty: This is Contra, people. Expect the worst.
Game Length: Five levels can be completed in a relatively short amount of time, even faster if you have a buddy with you.
On the Negative Side: Checkpoints and unlimited continues takes a bit away from the challenge, but only slightly.
Bang for your Buck: With four difficulty setting and two character skins to unlock, Rebirth doesn't offer much in terms of rewards. Its addictive gameplay, classic design, and co-op nature are will keep you coming back for more.
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