More from Konami on Neo Contra @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on January 12, 2004

News: More info on the newest installment in the greatest shooter series ever.

After the beautiful return to 2D glory that was Contra: Shattered Soldier, Konami is bringing the venerable series back to 3D with Neo Contra. Just like the previous game, Neo Contra will be develped in house by Konami Tokyo.

Bill Rizer returns to once again take on the alien hordes, this time with a new partner, a samurai named Genbei Jaguer Yagyu. The game's 3D environments will be totally interactive, with nearly every buildingаandаledge being able to be blown away by Contra's trademark neverendingаhail of gunfire. This new Contra will also include a completely revamped and expanded story that will be fleshed out using "impressive CGI sequences."

For all of the changes, parts of the series are going back to their roots with the inclusion of the spread gun as a selectable weapon. Like Shattered Soldier the player goes into each level with three weapons that can be switched when needed. Other weapons include the familiar machine gun, flame thrower, and grenade laucher from Shattered Soldier.

The public will have a chance to see if this new 3D perspective works for Contra when the game ships in November. A playable version will be on hand at E3, so we'll be sure to give you the scoop on it's progress then.