Shin Contra is the Japanese name of Contra Shattered Soldier. Snappy run-and-gun, giant enemies and brutal demand. A must for old-school challenge lovers.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter2 players12+
Co-op
Description
A Konami shooter released in 2004, the Japanese edition of Neo Contra. A direct sequel to Shattered Soldier that pushes the Contra formula further with 3D graphics, top-down isometric view and a heroic roster (Bill Rizer, Genbei Yagyu and Jaguar). 7 stages with spectacular bosses, co-op mode and the franchise's signature tricky difficulty. Japanese edition.
Shin Contra review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Punishing"
The Japanese version of this top-down entry, it keeps the saga's uncompromising soul: nonstop action, gigantic bosses and a grading that punishes the slightest letup. Choosing your weapons well and reading the deluge of attacks outweigh brute force. Brisk but fair, it carries on the Contra spirit and delights fans of demanding arcade action.
Seen from above, this entry pushes excess to its limits: speeding trains, flying fortresses and titanic creatures rise one after another. Surviving means reading swarms of projectiles and hammering weak points without let-up. Flamboyant and deliberately over-the-top, it turns every encounter into a jubilant deluge.
Is Shin Contra still worth playing in 2026?
A return to roots for Konami's series, Shin Contra, known in the West as Contra - Shattered Soldier, reconnects with the demanding, snappy original run and gun, made of multidirectional shooting, giant bosses and razor-sharp memorisation. The fearsome difficulty, the readability and the scoring system rewarding precision make it a challenge peak for purists. The austerity and the brevity weigh on it. An excellent run and gun for fans of demanding shooting and nostalgics of Contra's golden age.
