Contra: Legacy of War

Your objective is to battle through six stages of alien-infested terrain, defeating enemies and powerful bosses. You control a soldier from a team of four specialists, each with a unique secondary weapon.

Moment-to-moment play involves running, jumping, and shooting in various directions to clear the screen of enemies. You can find power-ups that upgrade your main weapon or grant temporary shields.

A key beginner strategy is to master the dodge-jump to avoid enemy fire and environmental hazards, as your character can be defeated in just a few hits. In the early stages, focus on learning enemy patterns and conserving your special weapon energy for tougher encounters.

During the middle of a run, prioritize destroying enemy spawn points and managing the more complex enemy formations. In tense moments, especially during boss fights, concentrate on memorizing attack patterns and creating space to maneuver, using your most powerful weapons when the boss is vulnerable.