Super C is the home version of Super Contra, a run and gun video arcade game produced by Konami in 1988. It was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in North America in 1990.
Naturally, being the sequel to the original Contra on the NES, it would be a popular hit among Filipino NES/Famicom gamers during the early 1990s. Me and my friends had a great time playing it.
The Story
After the first Contra game, that vile alien warmonger, Red Falcon, is coming back stronger than ever. He's got a sinister plan that includes having his alien brood seep into the brains of the U.S. military. To support his Earth domination scheme, he's recruited Jagger Froid, a freaky alien from a Black Hole Galaxy. He also brought in The Babula Destructoid Mechanism equipped with a Beam of Death.
Earth's only hope rests with you 2 super commandos. And if your powered-up weapons fail to destroy Red Falcon, it is all over for humanity!
The Graphics and Sound
Super C has great graphics on the NES. They were improved from the original Contra and the differences are pretty much satisfying. The stage bosses look terrifying! They scared the crap out of me the first time I saw them.
My only whiny gripe is that the laser gun upgrade looks like a flameshot and the alien soldiers on the last 2 stages look too human rather than being alien.
The game music is terrific! The catchy background music complement the great sound effects from the original.
The Gameplay
This is one of those game sequels that are lucky enough to have its developers that are smart enough to take the best points from the first game and include them in the sequel while improving on the irritating bad points.
You still get 3 lives, but that is nowhere near enough. The enemy patterns are hard to determine, making the game much harder than the first Contra. The cheat code can remedy that.
Game control is still very responsive. Jumping and the side-to-side movement is still a smooth thing to do. However, the button combination of jumping while ducking is still annoying because it makes you fall/jump down.
The 2 player coop play here is a blast, and the fact that destroying those freaky aliens here is fun and gives it a high replay value.
My Verdict
This is a very fun game. Easy to pick up and play. For great enjoyment, I highly recommend the 2 player coop option. As a true gamer, you will play this game often. It will be one of the first ones you seek to play when that 8-bit nostalgia sets in.
The NES or your preferred desktop NES emulators are the best way to play this classic.
Play Super C alone or with a friend. You won't regret playing this great collectible piece of retro gaming history.
Great game that I really should get back to playing again. I've played a whole lot more Contra than Super C over the years.
Yes, Contra is a legend!