# C: The Contra Adventure - The 1998 PlayStation Misstep *C: The Contra Adventure*, released on August 31, 1998, by Konami and developed by Appaloosa Interactive, is a 3D action shooter for the PlayStation and the second *Contra* title co-produced with Appaloosa, following *Contra: Legacy of War* (1996). Exclusive to North America, it was never released in Japan, Europe, or Australia. Set after *Legacy of War*, a meteorite carrying an alien infestation crashes near a Mayan temple in South America, prompting Hard Corps member Tasha (inconsistently called Tanya in the manual) to investigate, only to go missing. Ray Poward, a retired *Hard Corps* veteran, returns to rescue her and stop the aliens. Featuring 10 levels with mixed perspectives (side-scrolling, third-person, overhead, and a unique “Weightless Elevator”), it includes a life bar, memory card saving, and weapons like Spread Gun and Machine Gun. Heavily criticized (*GameSpot*: 3.6/10, *IGN*: 1.0/10) for poor controls, bad 3D camera, and no co-op, it’s considered the series’ low point, though some praise its music and variety (*GamePro*). No modern re-release exists. ## Why Play C: The Contra Adventure? *C: The Contra Adventure* attempts to blend *Contra*’s run-and-gun roots with 3D gameplay across 10 levels: three side-scrolling (City Rescue, Weightless, Alien Lair), four third-person 3D (Village, Pyramid 1-2, Hunting), and two overhead (Canyon, Training). Players control Ray (voiced with cheesy lines like “Who’s your daddy?”), using weapons (Laser, Machine Gun, Spread Gun, Rockets) and Super Bombs, with a life bar replacing one-hit deaths. The game offers three difficulty modes (Easy ends after Pyramid 1), but its clunky tank controls, erratic camera, short draw distance, and poor level design frustrate. Gameplay lasts 2-3 hours (5-8 with retries), with no co-op—a major departure from *Contra*’s tradition. Its soundtrack is a highlight, but glitches (e.g., freezing in Weightless Elevator) and unfair difficulty (no checkpoints) mar the experience. X posts and reviews (*IGN*: “lacks polish”) call it a collectible for diehard *Contra* fans only, best skipped for *Contra III* or *Hard Corps*. ## Key Features - Play as Ray Poward across 10 levels with mixed perspectives (side-scrolling, third-person, overhead) - Wield weapons: Machine Gun, Spread Gun, Laser, Rockets, Super Bombs - Life bar system; three difficulty modes (Easy, Normal, Hard) - Save via memory card; fight bosses like tanks and alien cores - Unique Weightless Elevator stage with floaty controls - Experience authentic PS1 gameplay on our retro ROM platform ## Key Differences from Other Contra Games - **No Co-op**: Single-player only, unlike *Contra*’s signature two-player mode. - **Perspectives**: Mixes 2D side-scrolling (3 levels), 3D third-person (4), and overhead (2), vs. *Contra III*’s side-scrolling/top-down or *Hard Corps*’s side-scrolling focus. - **Mechanics**: Life bar (3-5 hits) vs. one-hit deaths; weapons reset per level; no Konami Code. - **Story**: Continues *Legacy of War* with Ray Poward; Tasha/Tanya inconsistency. - **Performance**: Blocky 3D graphics, poor camera, tank controls, and glitches vs. polished 2D of *Contra III*/*Hard Corps*. ## Play C: The Contra Adventure Online Battle aliens today! Play *C: The Contra Adventure* instantly on our website, Classic Joy Games, with no downloads, using PS1 emulators. Alternatively, try it on sites like RetroGames.cc, OldGameShelf.com, or EmulatorGames.net. Physical PS1 copies cost $40-$100 (disc only) or $100-$200 (CIB) on eBay/Amazon; sealed copies reach $300+. Ideal for *Contra* collectors or curious retro fans! Note: Use ePSXe or RetroArch (Beetle PSX) for emulation; expect camera issues. For cheats, enter at the main menu: Level Select (Left, Up, Right, Square, Square, Triangle, Triangle, Down), Infinite Lives (Up, Right, Square, Triangle, Right, Left, Square, Triangle), or Infinite Super Bombs (Square, Square, Right, Down, Down, Left, Square, Triangle). Join players worldwide on Classic Joy Games. Start your mission now and stop the alien invasion to forge Ray Poward’s legacy!