Summary
One of gaming’s most iconic run-and-gun franchises is making a comeback withContrareceiving a new game from Konami and WayForward. The beloved shooter series was one of Konami’s earliest video game franchises withthe firstContrareleasing in 1987for the NES and receiving multiple sequels. However, the series has largely gone dormant in recent years, with only one newContragame releasing during the past decade. Now, the classic series is receiving its own revival from a developer familiar with the franchise.
WayForward has become known within the gaming community for its retro-inspired game releases throughout recent years. Alongside the revival ofShantae, WayForward would work alongside Artplay to developBloodstained: Ritual of the Night, as well as collaborating with Nintendo onAdvance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp. WayForward would also previously collaborate with Konami on another entry in the shooter franchise with 2007’sContra 4. Now, the developer is teaming up with Konami and taking its talents to theContrafranchise withContra: Operation Galuga.
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During the September Nintendo Direct, Konami would officially reveal it is once again partnering with WayForward forContra: Operation Galuga. Billed as are-imagining of the classic shooter franchise, the reveal trailer showed off revamped versions of several iconic levels from multiple differentContragames with a new artstyle. The trailer would also showcase several of the re-designed bosses, featuring recognizable enemies from the firstContragame.Contra: Operation Galugawas confirmed to be releasing in early 2024 with no exact release date announced during the broadcast.
The debut ofContra:Operation Galugawill serve as the end of a long wait forthe newest entry in the franchise. The shooter’s 2024 release window marks a five-year gap since the lastContragame, with 2019’sContra: Rogue Corpsreceiving mixed reactions from fans.Rogue Corps' launch came after a similarly long hiatus with an eight-year gap betweenRogue Corpsand the launch ofHard Corps: Uprisingon the Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2011.Operation Galugawill not be the only version of the classic games on the console, though, with both theContra Anniversary CollectionandArcade Archives: Contraavailable through the eShop.
Contra: Operation Galuga’s announcement came amidst a slew of remakes and remasters revealed during the Nintendo broadcast, featuring plenty of iconic games. The Mario franchise saw multiple remasters showcased includingLuigi’s Mansion: Dark Moonand the newly-announced remaster ofPaper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. Several third-party developers also showed off new revivals of older titles, includingAnother Code Recollectionand a remaster ofthe first threeTomb Raidergames.Contra: Operation Galugalooks to be a welcome return to a classic series of shooters with its launch next year.
Contra: Operation Galugawill release in early 2024 for the Nintendo Switch.
