# Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX - The 2002 GBA Run-and-Gun Port *Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX*, known as *Contra: Hard Spirits* in Japan, is a 2002 run-and-gun shooter developed by Cing Inc. and published by Konami for the Game Boy Advance. A port of *Contra III: The Alien Wars* (SNES, 1992), it replaces the SNES’s Mode 7 top-down stages with two side-scrolling levels from *Contra: Hard Corps* (Genesis, 1994). Set in 2636, commandos Jimbo and Sully (replacing Bill and Lance; robots in Europe’s *Super Probotector*) battle the Red Falcon aliens in Neo City across six stages. Featuring 16-bit-inspired visuals, a remixed soundtrack, and weapons like Spread Shot and Homing Missiles, it lacks dual weapon slots and bombs from the SNES original. It supports two-player co-op via GBA Link Cable and uses passwords for progress. Mixed reviews (*Metacritic*: 66/100) note its intense action but criticize missing features. Re-released on Wii U Virtual Console (2015/2016). ## Why Play Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX? *Contra Advance* delivers *Contra III*’s core run-and-gun action on GBA, with Jimbo and Sully navigating side-scrolling stages (e.g., Neo City, Military Train) against aliens, robots, and bosses like Beast Kimkoh. It retains weapons (Spread Shot ‘C’, Homing Missiles ‘H’, Laser ‘L’, Flamethrower ‘F’, Crush ‘D’) but limits players to one weapon at a time, unlike *Contra III*’s dual slots. The *Hard Corps* stages (Military Train, Big Battle) add variety, though the removal of Mode 7 top-down stages (replaced due to GBA limitations) reduces diversity. Two difficulty modes (Novice, Normal; Novice ends at Stage 4) and a password system (e.g., 99 lives codes) ease its high difficulty (one-hit deaths). Gameplay lasts 1-2 hours (3-5 with retries), with Link Cable co-op. Its crisp graphics and music shine, but sensitive controls and small screen size frustrate. X posts call it a solid but flawed port for *Contra* fans. ## Key Features - Play as Jimbo and Sully across 6 side-scrolling stages (4 from *Contra III*, 2 from *Hard Corps*) - Wield weapons: Spread Shot, Homing Missiles, Laser, Flamethrower, Crush - Two-player co-op via GBA Link Cable; password system for stage/99 lives - Fight bosses like Robo-Corpse and Metallican; Novice (4 stages) and Normal modes - No dual weapons or bombs; *Hard Corps* stages replace Mode 7 top-down levels - Experience authentic GBA gameplay on our retro ROM platform or Wii U Virtual Console ## Key Differences from Contra III/Super Probotector - **Source Material**: Ports *Contra III* (SNES); Europe uses *Contra* name, not *Probotector*, with human characters (Jimbo/Sully vs. robots RD008/RC011). - **Stages**: Replaces Mode 7 top-down stages (2, 5) with *Hard Corps*’s Military Train and Big Battle; all six are side-scrolling. - **Mechanics**: Single weapon slot (no dual wielding), no bombs, no Random Shooting; adds password system (e.g., “2P7H” for Stage 6, 99 lives). - **Difficulty**: Novice mode (4 stages); Normal is shorter than SNES’s 6 stages; no Konami Code. - **Graphics**: Retains SNES pixel art but *Hard Corps* stages have dithered Genesis visuals, less vibrant on GBA’s small screen. - **Co-op**: Requires two GBA systems and carts via Link Cable; no single-cart multiplayer. ## Play Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX Online Blast aliens today! Play *Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX* instantly on our website, Classic Joy Games, with no downloads, using GBA emulators. Alternatively, enjoy it on Wii U Virtual Console (2015/2016) or sites like RetroGames.cz, OldGameShelf.com, or WoWroms.com. Physical GBA copies cost $30-$80 on eBay/Amazon; complete-in-box $100-$200. Ideal for retro *Contra* fans! Note: Use mGBA or VisualBoyAdvance for emulation; GBA SP’s backlight enhances visuals. For secrets, use password “2P7H” for Stage 6 with 99 lives. Join players worldwide on Classic Joy Games. Start your mission now and stop Red Falcon to forge Jimbo and Sully’s legacy!