# Contra III: The Alien Wars - The Explosive 1992 SNES Run-and-Gun **Tags:** Run-and-Gun, Shooter, Action, Single-Player, Co-op, Retro *Contra III: The Alien Wars*, known as *Contra Spirits* in Japan and *Probotector* in Europe, is a 1992 run-and-gun shooter developed by Konami for the SNES. The third main *Contra* game, set in 2636, follows commandos Bill Rizer and Lance Bean (robots RD008 and RC011 in Europe) as they battle the Red Falcon alien forces devastating Neo City. Featuring six stages—mixing side-scrolling, top-down, and vehicular sections—it introduces dual weapon slots, lockable aim, and new weapons like Homing Missiles and Flame Thrower. With vibrant 16-bit visuals using SNES Mode 7, a high-octane soundtrack by Tappy Iwase and others, and two-player co-op, it’s a genre classic, selling over 1 million copies and praised (*IGN*: 8.5/10) for intensity, though its high difficulty is notable. Re-released on Game Boy (1994), GBA (2002), and in *Contra Anniversary Collection* (2019, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC). ## Why Play Contra III: The Alien Wars? *Contra III* delivers relentless run-and-gun action across six varied stages (e.g., Neo City, Air Battle, Alien Hive), with side-scrolling (stages 1, 3, 5, 6), top-down (2, 4), and motorcycle chases. Players wield two weapons simultaneously (e.g., Spread Shot ‘C’, Crush Missiles ‘H’), switching or dual-firing, with power-ups like bombs and barriers. New mechanics include climbing walls, hanging on rails, and lockable aiming for diagonal shots. The game’s brutal difficulty (one-hit deaths, limited lives) is eased by three difficulty modes (Easy, Normal, Hard) and the Konami Code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, L, R, Start in Japan for 30 lives). Gameplay lasts 1-2 hours (3-5 with retries), with co-op enhancing teamwork. Its stunning visuals, iconic music (e.g., “Neo City”), and fast pacing make it a must-play for retro shooter fans, though its challenge may overwhelm newcomers. X posts praise its boss fights and co-op replayability. ## Key Features - Play as Bill and Lance (or robots in Europe) across 6 stages - Wield dual weapons: Spread Shot, Homing Missiles, Flame Thrower, Laser, Crush Missiles - Simultaneous two-player co-op; use Konami Code (Japan) for 30 lives - Climb walls, hang on rails, lock aim; fight bosses like Turtle Tank and Metallican - Three difficulty modes; Game Boy/GBA ports adapt stages for handhelds - Experience authentic SNES gameplay on our retro ROM platform or *Contra Anniversary Collection* ## Key Differences: SNES vs. Game Boy/GBA - **SNES (1992)**: 6 stages, full 16-bit graphics with Mode 7, dual weapons, all mechanics; Japan has Konami Code. - **Game Boy (1994)**: Titled *Contra: The Alien Wars*, 4 stages, monochrome visuals, single weapon slot, simplified controls; less intense but portable. - **GBA (2002)**: Titled *Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX*, 6 stages, adds *Super C* weapons (e.g., Hyper Shell), removes top-down stages, uses *Alien Wars* sprites; no Konami Code. ## Play Contra III: The Alien Wars Online Blast aliens today! Our website, Classic Joy Games, lets you play *Contra III: The Alien Wars* instantly with no downloads, optimized for modern browsers using SNES emulators. Alternatively, enjoy it in *Contra Anniversary Collection* (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC), Virtual Console (Wii, 3DS, Wii U), or sites like RetroGames.cz or EmulatorGames.net. Physical SNES copies cost $40-$100, Game Boy/GBA $30-$80 on eBay/Amazon. Ideal for fans of retro ROMs and run-and-gun classics! Note: Use Snes9x or BSNES for SNES emulation; mGBA for GBA. SNES version recommended for full experience, Game Boy/GBA for portable play. Join players worldwide and enjoy *Contra III: The Alien Wars* on Classic Joy Games. Start your mission now and stop Red Falcon to forge Bill and Lance’s legacy!