Contra NES
Recent eBay Listings
- Contra (Nintendo Entertainment System, 1988) NES Cartridge Only Tested Authentic £32.58
- KONAMI Contra FC Game Cartridge Only for NES Video Game Console £107.04
- CONTRA KONAMI For Nintendo Famicom NES/ Cartridge only tested-g0415- £59.93
- KONAMI Contra FC Game Cartridge Vintage 8-bit Nintendo NES Playable £130.34
- Super C (Contra 2) - Nintendo Entertainment System NES - Game Cartridge £29.32
- SUPER CONTRA KONAMI For Nintendo Famicom NES/ Cartridge only tested-h0725- £47.89
Price History
| Date | Avg Price | Low | High | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-05 | £71.22 | £22.72 | £162.95 | 10 |
| 2026-04-04 | £63.77 | £22.72 | £130.34 | 10 |
| 2026-04-03 | £75.39 | £22.67 | £162.93 | 10 |
| 2026-04-02 | £75.97 | £27.05 | £162.49 | 10 |
| 2026-04-01 | £69.05 | £27.21 | £130.34 | 10 |
| 2026-03-31 | £68.83 | £27.29 | £163.39 | 10 |
| 2026-03-30 | £68.28 | £27.14 | £162.85 | 10 |
| 2026-03-29 | £68.28 | £27.14 | £162.85 | 10 |
| 2026-03-28 | £68.28 | £27.14 | £162.85 | 10 |
| 2026-03-27 | £69.95 | £27.00 | £162.36 | 10 |
| 2026-03-26 | £70.23 | £26.93 | £162.52 | 10 |
| 2026-03-25 | £70.55 | £26.84 | £165.81 | 10 |
Screenshots
Game History
Contra was developed by Konami and released in Japan on February 20, 1987, for the Nintendo Famicom console. The game arrived in North America on May 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It was created by a team at Konami's internal development division and directed by Yoshiki Akimoto, drawing inspiration from arcade games and the action film "Predator."
The game received strong critical acclaim upon its North American release, with reviewers praising its challenging gameplay, tight controls, and creative level design. The side-scrolling run-and-gun mechanics were considered innovative for the platform, and the variety of weapon power-ups became a signature feature. Commercially, Contra performed very well, becoming one of the best-selling NES titles and establishing itself as a flagship franchise for Konami during the 8-bit era.
Contra's historical significance to collectors stems from multiple factors. The game is celebrated as one of the NES library's most influential action titles, representing the console's library at its peak. Original cartridges in good condition command respectable prices in the collector's market, particularly first-print versions. The game's difficulty and cultural impact have made it iconic among retro gaming enthusiasts, influencing countless subsequent action games.
An interesting aspect of Contra's development involved the Konami Code—the famous cheat sequence up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A—which provided thirty lives to players. While often attributed specifically to Contra, the code actually originated with Gradius, another Konami title, but became most famous through Contra. The code became so culturally significant that it entered mainstream consciousness and is still referenced in modern games and internet culture.
The game's Japanese title, "Gryzor," was changed to "Contra" for Western markets to avoid potential licensing issues. This regional naming difference makes both versions noteworthy to collectors seeking complete regional variants of their collections.