History YMMV / Contra

** If the Triumvirate sabotaging the hyper-magnetic weapons and destroying half of the world's population didn't do it for them, then supposedly killing Lance Bean then framing Bill Rizer for the murder definitely did.

** The ''[[CompilationRerelease Contra: Anniversary Collection]]'', as with anything done by Konami after 2020's. Take your pick between: "Never forget and forgive that Konami has been corrupt since 2015/2016 and they're probably still abusing their workers! This is just a distraction, do not be gullible and give them money!" camp and "Hey, this is a nice collection of their golden days and works fine, plus we haven't heard anything ridiculously horrid since ''Rogue Corps'', without proofs, we cannot just assume things. Okay, we can try to move on and relive our happy past, give small praise when it's due and they're not screwing up." camp.

* SequelDifficultySpike: ''Super Contra'', particularly the NES version (retitled ''Super C'') has more brutal game design than its predecessor; the first game, while very hard, can be mastered through rote memorization thanks to enemies and hazards mainly sticking to patterns, whereas the sequel throws in tons of sudden, randomized and fast-moving dangers that test your reflexes much more stringently than they do your memory. Also, the famous 30-life code from the first game has been replaced by a measly 10-life code (Japanese versions kept 30-life codes), meaning even if you're ''cheating'' it's still harder.

* SequelDifficultyDrop:
** ''Neo Contra'' is significantly easier than ''Shattered Soldier'', which is one of the hardest games in the series, especially once the [[VideoGame/{{Gradius}} GV Laser]] and Weapon Type D is unlocked.

** The NES version of the ''Super Contra'' is somewhat easier than its arcade counterpart as well as the original ''Contra''.
%% ZCE* SequelDifficultySpike: ''Super C'' (specifically the arcade version), ''The Alien Wars'', ''Hard Corps'' and ''Shattered Soldier''.

* EventObscuringCamera: There is an invisible area "between" the DS's screens in Contra 4. Bullets can pass through it, which '''will''' result in numerous, and [[FakeDifficulty cheap]], deaths from a bullet you couldn't even see a moment before.

** The series, specifically the NES version of first 2 games are very popular in China, due to the fact that many famiclone consoles included the game as part of the lineup. It leads to Tencent making ''Contra Returns'', a tribute to the series that features almost all of the canon characters and enemies. And they also feature ''Videogame/{{Jackal}}'', a fellow Konami game, in a crossover event.

%%* AudienceAlienatingEra: The Appaloosa-developed games released during the late 1990's and Contra: Rogue Corps.

* NarmCharm: ''Contra III'''s "Let's attack aggressively." Has so much DullSurprise it loops back into RatedMForManly. Or maybe [[ButForMeItWasTuesday it's just another Tuesday for our heroes.]]

* OnlyTheCreatorDoesItRight: A little 'zig-zagged'. Nobuya Nakazato was the series director up from ''Contra III: The Alien Wars'' until ''Shattered Soldier'', which is considered the hay day of the franchise by series veterans. So when Nakazato returned to helm ''Rogue Corps'', fans were hopeful only for the game to get hit with a massive {{Sequelitis}} for a variety of reasons. However, it was later revealed that the game itself has started developed since 2011 but went into a DevelopmentHell and the conflict in Konami caused them to look for a new indie development team to continue where they left off afterwards, with Nakazato still staying but most likely had to iron out the differences with the new development team and the old game (not to mention, he's more likely to become just a 'supervisor'), which may be the cause that the new game wasn't up to snuff.

** Seasoned players believe Shadow Beast Kimkoh, the FinalBoss of ''Super C'', is relatively easy. It comes after a brutal final stage, but it's a stationary boss, its attacks cannot directly harm the player under its legs, and the player can waste in seconds assuming they have the appropriate weapons.

** Shadow Beast Kimkoh, the FinalBoss of ''Super C'', can come off as this to seasoned players; after a brutal final stage comes with a rather ''interesting'' final boss whose its attacks cannot directly harm the player under its legs. It's also stationary, in which the player can waste in seconds with right weapons. Thankfully its later incarnations in later games avert this trope.

** ''Contra 4''. While many hail its return to the series' roots, some feel that the combination of the DS's two screens makes for an awkwardly-tall screen with a [[CameraScrew gap between the screens]], especially when stages emphasizing horizontal movement are involved. The lack of a stage select or stage practice — despite being released in 2007, when stage select and practice had long since become staples of arcade ports and arcade-style consumer games — hardly helps much for those trying to practice later stages and don't want to have to go through previous stages every time. While the overwhelming consensus is that it's far better than the [=PS1=] ''Contra'' games that really hurt the series' image, some feel that it's still an inferior product to other games such as ''The Alien Wars'' and ''Hard Corps''.

*** The use of both dual screens. In a game series where the player character [[OneHitPointWonder can't take much punishment]], the [[CameraScrew lack of visible space between them]] (to see incoming enemy bullets) can hinder things a fair bit.

* CommonKnowledge: Due to the first game's now iconic box art, ''Film/{{Predator}}'' is commonly believed to be one of the inspirations for the franchise, yet [[OlderThanTheyThink the game predated the movie in the arcade by four months]].

* ToughActToFollow: ''Contra III: The Alien Wars'' and ''Contra: Hard Corps'' are regarded as the best games in the series for their innovations and refinements to the series' formula, and following them came two Appaloosa-developed games that many fans feel failed to respectfully move the series to 3D. Even with efforts to salvage the brand name like ''Contra: Shattered Soldier'' and ''Contra 4'', they're inevitably measured up against the gold standard set by ''The Alien Wars'' and ''Hard Corps''.

* ToughActToFollow: ''Contra III: The Alien Wars'' and ''Contra: Hard Corps'' are regarded as the best games in the series for their innovations and refinements to the series' formula, and following them came two Appaloosa-developed games that many fans feel failed to respectfully move the series to 3D. Even with efforts to salvage the brand name like ''Contra: Shattered Soldier'' and ''Contra 4'', they're inevitably measured up against ''The Alien Wars'' and ''Hard Corps''.

* ToughActToFollow: ''Contra III: The Alien Wars'' and ''Contra: Hard Corps'' are regarded as the best games in the series for their innovations and refinements to the series' formula, and following them came two [=PS1=] games that many fans feel failed to respectfully move the series to 3D. Even with efforts to salvage the brand name like ''Contra: Shattered Soldier'' and ''Contra 4'', they're inevitably measured up against ''The Alien Wars'' and ''Hard Corps''.

* ToughActToFollow: ''Contra III: The Alien Wars'' and ''Contra: Hard Corps'' are regarded as the best games in the series, and following them came two [=PS1=] games that many fans feel failed to respectfully move the series to 3D. Even with efforts to salvage the brand name like ''Contra: Shattered Soldier'' and ''Contra 4'', they're inevitably measured up against ''The Alien Wars'' and ''Hard Corps''.

** ''Contra: Hard Corps'' has a breather MiniBoss in the [[MultipleEndings Route B]] ending of the game. After defeating [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking Colonel]] [[ThatOneBoss Bahamut]] (provided that [[RefusalOfTheCall you rejected]] [[WeCanRuleTogether his invitation]]), the player will face off against [[TheDragon Deadeye Joe]] who [[DragonWithAnAgenda doesn't care much]] [[DragonTheirFeet about Bahamut's death]]. He cannot kill the player via CollisionDamage and only has one attack: an easily avoidable horizontal shot. After Joe is a somewhat-annoying miniboss, and then the FinalBoss.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOrw0_ATEDQ The boss theme]] for Jiymen Gyo in ''Shattered Soldier'' sounds similar to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy4T6zvQ6jk "Firestarter (Empirion Mix)"]] by Music/TheProdigy.

** Whether the ''Contra'' or ''Probotector'' versions are better. While many prefer the ''Contra'' versions because they're the uncensored originals and run at a superior 60Hz refresh rate rather than PAL 50Hz, ''Probotector'' is preferred by another crowd because the robots are perceived as [[RuleOfCool cooler]] and less generic. Interestingly, the Contra Collection includes a "Turbo Mode" option with the Probotector versions of the games included allowing them to be played at 60 hz.

** ''Contra Returns''. A fitting tribute to the series seemingly developed and made by Tencent/[=TiMi=] who managed to make use of Konami's old lore with their permission ([[YouDontLookLikeYou some design changes aside]]) with ActionRPG gameplay that is designed to attract new generations of gamers along with casuals as well (and somehow managed to be slightly more 'Contra-ish' than ''Rogue Corps'' despite all those changes), or a dumbed-down experience (due to it playing more like a looter-shooter than a proper Contra game) with Contra's skin is insulting for longtime players? And that would still depend on how you look at Konami at the moment: Either it's an okay attempt to make a mobile game or just yet another entry of the 'Konami is insulting gamers since the 2015/2016 controversy' long list.

%%* DorkAge: The Appaloosa-developed games released during the late 1990's and Contra: Rogue Corps.

** The ''[[CompilationRerelease Contra: Anniversary Collection]]'', as with anything done by Konami after 2020's. Take your pick between: [[NeverLiveItDown "Never forget and forgive that Konami has been corrupt since 2015/2016 and they're probably still abusing their workers! This is just a distraction, do not be gullible and give them money!"]] camp and "Hey, this is a nice collection of their golden days and works fine, plus we haven't heard anything ridiculously horrid since ''Rogue Corps'', without proofs, we cannot just assume things. Okay, we can try to move on and relive our happy past, give small praise when it's due and they're not screwing up." camp.

** ''Contra 4'' has the upgraded Laser and upgraded Machine Gun. The former is a great boss/mini boss killer on those with large hitboxes. While the the upgraded Machine Gun deals huge blunt damage that works best on those with smaller or medium size hitboxes. There have been many a player get these two weapons early, and stick with them for the rest of the game.

''Contra 4'' has the upgraded Laser and upgraded Machine Gun. The former is a great boss/mini boss killer on those with large hitboxes. While the the upgraded Machine Gun deals huge blunt damage that works best on those with smaller or medium size hitboxes. There have been many a player get these two weapons early, and stick with them for the rest of the game.