OPERATION C
Select a section:
•Release Information
•Overview
•Gameplay Specifics
•Full Plot
•Soundtrack
•Other Versions
•Variants
•Miscellaneous
RELEASE INFORMATION
Native Platform: Nintendo Gameboy
Media/Formats: Cartridge
Developer: Konami
Publisher: NTSC-J: Konami
NTSC-U: Ultra Games
PAL: Palcom/Mattel
Release: NTSC-J: January 8, 1991
NTSC-U: February, 1991
PAL: May 21, 1992
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OVERVIEW
Operation C, or simply Contra in Japan, is the follow-up to Super Contra and is the first mainstream portable entry in the series (see Trivia). Its strong resemblance in gameplay to NES Super Contra has brought the misconception of it being a remake of the aforementioned game.
Indeed, almost the entire game reuses elements from NES Super Contra. The visuals, animation, guns and level structure and progression are similar. The continue system is the same as NES entries (choosing to continue restarts the stage). Most of the music comes from the original Contra (there are a few new tracks) and the plot, especially the ending, is basically the same.
New to the series is the homing weapon and standardizing the use of rapid fire. Other weapons include the default machine gun, spread gun (which can be upgraded to shoot a wider spread of bullets) and fireball gun from NES Super Contra. The laser gun, however, is absent.
Operation C is a strictly single player game. Depending on the regional version, the player either fights an army led by an alien entity called Black Viper (North American continuity) or an unnamed organization that is in possession of an alien cell.
Complaints are generally minor. For instance, it is a short game, featuring only 5 stages (3 side view and 2 top view). Another problem involves the jumping physics, where the character jumps and lands too fast, creating a narrow parabolic trajectory. As a result, the player must jump very close or at the edge of a platform to pass gaps and it becomes problematic by the third stage. In addition, many feel that Operation C is more or less a rehash of the previous NES titles, offering very few fresh ideas.
Conversely, reusing previous content provides players with more of the same satisfying gameplay. It may not be considered new enough, but it incorporates positive aspects of older Contra games. Overall, Operation C is a solid game and makes for a fun portable experience.
Covers:
NTSC-J
NTSC-U
Ultra Label:
Konami Label:
PAL
English Release:
French + Dutch Release:
GAMEPLAY SPECIFICS
Note: These stage names are unofficial.
Stage 1: Harbor
Stage 2: Base
Stage 3: Cascade Jungle
Stage 4: Alien Nest
Stage 5: Laboratory
FULL PLOT
NTSC-J:
An unnamed nation is harboring an alien cell for warfare. Bill Rizer is tasked with eliminating the enemy threat and destroying the alien cell. He emerges victorious and stops the nation’s plans.
Characters
Bill Rizer – protagonist; playable
Unnamed Organization – antagonist organization
NTSC-U:
An enemy organization, led by an Alien named Black Viper, becomes the next threat to civilization. They are ultimately stopped by war veteran Scorpion.
Characters
Scorpion – protagonist; playable
Black Viper – antagonist; lead alien entity
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SOUNDTRACK
•Stage Select
•Battle In The Dense Jungle
•Area 2
•Bloody Sault 1
•Bloody Sault 2
•Fortress In The Ice
•Fortress In The Flame
•Pulse Of The Shudder
•Maze Fortress 2
•Area 3 Mid-Boss
•Triumphant Return 1
•Triumphant Return 2
•Ending
•Game Over
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OTHER VERSIONS
Ports:
•Nintendo Game Boy Color
Re-Releases:
•Nintendo Game Boy
Compilations:
•Konami GB Collection Vol. 1
•Contra Anniversary Colleciton
Prototypes:
•Final Build Prototypes
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VARIANTS
In North America, 2 variants of Operation C were released.
Konami Variant:
It features a Konami label on the packaging and cartridge.
Ultra Games Variant:
It features an Ultra Games label on the packaging and artwork.
Both variants are otherwise completely identical.
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