E3 - GUNSPIKE

Konami have announced another Contra game, just in time to ride the goodwill generated by their superb Anniversary Collection package. Contra: Rogue Corps swerves the standard platform-shooting for an isometric twin-sticker, reminiscent of the Mode 7 interludes from Contra III: The Alien Wars and Dreamcast hidden-gem Cannon Spike.

CONTRA HARD CORPS

Hard Corps

Behold! An imperfect run-through of Konami's third-act Mega Drive classic Contra: Hard Corps. We're dealing with the Japanese version here, which rather kindly gifted the players a lifebar. Everywhere else it was one-hit chance-downs. Ouch! Mega Drive Contra is especially notable for unceasing explosions: Semis belch open. Robots have colour-clash seizure panics. Buildings topple. Everything detonates.