Remember old-school Contra? Tough-as-nails, never-stop-shooting, dodging-hails-of-bullets, 80s-action-movie sidescrolling action? It's finally back, making its way to Nintendo DS as WayForward's Contra 4, and it is absolutely hard as hell. Check out my full review.

But enough about the pain side of this masochistic endeavor. What about the pleasure? If you're the type of hard-bitten gamer who has read this review thus far and, rather than being scared away, has responded by growling "Fuck yeah" through clenched teeth while a demented gleam sparkles in your eye, you know the sense of achievement that comes with conquering a game like this.

This is the kind of achievement born of an earlier age--the kind of achievement that distinguishes you as a certified gaming badass, not the kind of achievement that says you collected a hundred dolls and gives you fifty points on the internet. Read more...

Contra's original hardass duo, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, will return to spreadshot all over alien faces November 13 when Contra 4 from WayForward Technologies retails for DS. The date as well as the hardcore box art were revealed in a scan of the game's retail one-sheet on NeoGAF forums.

According to the one-sheet, a dedicated Contra 4 website should launch this month. The game is a throwback to Contra games of yore, complete with two-player cooperative play.

As implied by the game's title, WayForward picks up the Contra series where Contra III: The Alien Wars left off in 1992, ignoring the inferior titles made for the franchise since. For more information on Contra 4, check out Chris Remo's hands-on preview.

IGN has posted a Contra 4 preview, going hands-on with the Nintendo DS action game at Comic-Con. We have our own impressions posted here.

1UP has a preview of Contra 4, coming to the Nintendo DS later this year. The article offers impressions and an interview with associate producer Tomm Hulett.

Marking this year's 20th anniversary of the Contra series, Konami has announced the first new numbered entry to hit the franchise in 15 years. Tentatively titled Contra 4 and scheduled to release on Nintendo DS later this year, production will be handled by independent developer WayForward Technologies, whose past projects include Barbie 12 Dancing Princesses (NDS, GBA), Sigma Star Saga (GBA), and Shantae (GBC).

Set two years after the events of Konami's 1992 SNES shooter Contra III: The Alien Wars, Contra 4 pits Bill Rizer, Lance Bean, Mad Dog, and Scorpion against the vicious Black Viper. Retaining the series' traditional 2D perspective and two player co-op, the game adds new elements to take advantage of the Nintendo DS hardware, such as levels and bosses that span both of the portable's screens and a new grappling hook to aide in the ... Read more