Hard Corps: Uprising Message Board

Among run-and-gun shooters, the Contra series is the longest running and most beloved. That's why it's so peculiar that Konami brings us a new Contra game -- a sequel to the excellent Contra: Hard Corps on the SEGA Genesis -- but doesn't call it Contra. Oh well, the important thing is that Hard Corp...

The "Leviathan" DLC is now available for the Xbox Live Arcade version of Hard Corps: Uprising, Konami's downloadable run-and-gun whose similarity to Contra is total coincidence, we're sure. The DLC isn't available on PlayStation Network yet because ... the game won't be available on PSN until tomorrow.

The 200-point ($2.50) add-on introduces Leviathan, a playable character that has only one weapon slot, but compensates with a back-flip grenade throw move and sliding attack. Two previous DLC characters, Harley and Sayuri, are also available for purchase on the Xbox Marketplace.

Does this downloadable side-scroller mark the return of 2D arcade action?

You've been deployed to the field of battle: now fight your way into the base!

The first title in the Xbox Live Arcade House Party promotion has been released. A Contra game in all but name, Hard Corps: Uprising should prove very familiar to series fans. In fact, it might even be a bit too familiar. Take a look at the latest XBLA in Brief and see if this game tickles your trigger finger.

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The old-school action lives on.

I played through the brief demo level of Hard Corps: Uprising during E3 and ... it was definitely a Contra game. (Well, apart from being able to take more than one hit before dying.) The game, which is a pseudo-sequel to Contra: Hard Corps, looked gorgeous, and, once I'd gotten used to the new dash mechanic, went from feeling a little too slow to blisteringly fast and stylish.

There were countless nods to Contras past, such as flying weapon-upgrade pods, laying prone to duck under enemy fire and an end-of-level fortress spewing scatter shots and unleashing a massive energy blast to repel attackers. I only caught bits of the soundtrack on the show floor, but the iconic "level complete" tune was definitely in there. The kiosk noted that Hard Corps: Uprising is a "working title," so I really hope Konami works the Contra name in there before the game's expected launch on XBLA and PSN later this year -- so far, the game certainly seems deserving of it.

Check out the first screenshots in the gallery below.

Side-scroller unites nostalgic gaming fun with new story and brilliant new graphics.

GameVideos recently got its hands on a pair of video demonstrations of Arc System Works and Konami's spiritual Contra successor, Hard Corps: Uprising. One features a single-player run-through of the game's opening level, while the other fills us with the capacity to love again.

It's Contra in all but name. That's what IGN asserts about Hard Corps: Uprising, a new PSN and XBLA run-and-gun expected for release this year. Despite the fact that the side-scrolling shooting gameplay we expect from a traditional Contra is present, and despite the fact that this is actually a sequel to the Genesis Contra: Hard Corps (starring the villain!), Konami has chosen to excise the series name from this digital release.

That's not the strangest thing about this game. Development is being handled by Arc System Works, the developer and publisher of the Guilty Gear games and BlazBlue. We'll withhold judgment; after all, it turned out okay when Konami handed the license to the Ping Pals developer. At least with Arc (like with WayForward), we know we're in for great 2D art.

It's not in the title, but trust us -- this is Contra.