Contra: Operation Galuga Reviews
Contra: Operation Galuga is an amusing run-and-gun that met my 2D shooting expectations, but rarely exceeded them.
A disappointingly timid reboot/remake that while competently made does little to add to the Contra formula or move beyond the original games.
Though the stages are much longer than their original forms, sometimes clocking in at around 15 minutes, playing through Story Mode only takes a couple of hours. Still, Contra: Operation Galuga packs a whole lot of action into those hours. When you add the more flexible Arcade Mode and difficult Challenge Mode, Operation Galuga is an admirable modernized reimagining of one of the most influential games of the late '80s.
Contra: Operation Galuga reimagines just enough to feel modern without losing the original game's identity.
For a brief moment of brilliance, Contra: Operation Galuga is the modern interpretation of a 2D run 'n' gun that we always wanted. But it's a fleeting moment, and what comes after is a deeply onerous experience that proves a trudge to see through to completion.
Con: Operation Galuga successfully recreates the original game released in 1987 and elevates the show to a new level, but a number of issues (the controls, mainly) make the experience very frustrating.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
It's a solid entry to the series, but it has its issues beyond its slow-paced story. There are some noticeable performance issues, especially as the screen fills up with more and more enemies and effects. Operation Galuga has a tremendous soundtrack comprised of original tracks that pay homage to the quintessential Contra songs of yesteryear, but there were multiple instances where I hit a glitch that left the background music muted. Operation Galuga is certainly Contra, but it can have its janky moments. Still, it's a welcome entry to the series and shows that the Contra series still packs a lot of firepower.
A proper "reboot" of the series, with eight interesting levels, plenty of elements to unlock, nice gameplay and weak visuals.
Review in Italian | Read full review
In the end, Contra: Operation Galuga wasn't the triumphant return we were hoping for, but it's certainly the best game in the series in recent years. It's difficult and has several modes and characters that will make the game last for hours, and in doubles (or fours in arcade) it's still fantastic.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Contra: Operation Galuga brings back the granddaddy of run and gun with a bang, but don't expect it to be an easy ride.
Many pretenders and contenders have attempted to lay claim to Contra's run-and-gun throne over the years, with some glowingly successful and others failing abysmally, but Contra: Operation Galuga largely preserves its legacy with this faithful recreation of the much-loved 1980s classic. While Operation Galuga won't offer fans anything shocking or out of the ordinary, it's still a pleasing upgrade they'll be clamouring for. There's plenty in here to relish, and it's not bloated with new features and ideas that could otherwise jeopardize this renewed relic. Yes, more could've been done to reinvent the classic gameplay, but one shouldn't fix what isn't broken, and so Operation Galuga is a successful if formulaic return for one of gaming's most hardcore franchises.
I loved Contra: Operation Galuga. The run-and-gun gameplay is perfect, and all the new levels, characters, modes, and gameplay additions add lots of depth. I just wish there were some options with the graphics. And I wish there was online co-op in addition to the classic couch co-op. But what’s here is great. I hope WayForward makes a Contra: Operation Galuga sequel, or maybe gives Super C similar treatment in the near future.
How might Contra: Operation Galuga disappoint fans of the series? Nobody. How could it bring in new players who don't know the arcade? With adrenaline-pumping action through challenging levels where you can fight your way through with a devastating arsenal, advancing meter after meter until the boss challenge. We are faced with a bare and raw run and gun platformer, in which the few extra contents are a real added value and not a formality because nowadays everyone must have them. These are Bill and Lance's best adventures, and the two new characters are also very charismatic. Do you just want to shoot like crazy? You'll love it.
Review in Italian | Read full review
With its excellent level design, challenging gameplay, and twists on the classic formula, Contra: Operation Galuga offers a compelling reimagining of one of the most beloved arcade games ever made. However, despite its strengths, the game's short campaign length, limited amount of content and lack of online multiplayer may deter some players, especially considering its price. While the inclusion of extra characters and a Challenge Mode adds some variety, they fail to provide a good reason to continue playing the game after having gone through the eight stages multiple times.
The game's story mode is short overall, but thankfully there's an Arcade and Challenge mode that offer great replayability. The challenge mode in particular is a highlight as it doles out mini-challenges for you to blast through, like tricky platforming or a pacifist run of a level. So, all in all, this is undoubtedly the best game the series has had in a long time, and one fans of the classic games won't want to miss out on.
Contra: Operation Galuga very quickly fell low. Not for its difficulty even arduous in Easy, because it is the DNA of the game. But for its lack of content and interest over time. The absence of online co'op and crossplay, which would have taken this game a certain step, is unacceptable, even more so when the positioning of the title for purchase is around 40 euros. Hardcore fans of the license and over scoring (not even enough to compare these stats with other players or have a world ranking, pfff) will sign at the bottom of the page. The others… not sure they read this whole contract.
Review in French | Read full review
Sticking to the past can sometimes be counterproductive, and the risk of inheriting its strengths and weaknesses is high.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Contra: Operation Galuga is a nice return to the traditional formula of the series, which fulfills the wishes of the fans. Although at the moment we do not know what will happen, I hope that WayForward manages to take the reins of the series in the future, and then give us a similar work, but focused on The Alien Wars and Hard Corps, and regardless of whether they expand the concepts that we see here present, or choose to continue on a safe path, I'm sure I won't miss the Contra unit's next big mission.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Contra has returned and Wayforward offers us a master class on how to respect and manage a beloved IP, it is not the first time he has done it. Cons: Operation Galuga, is a must-see, whether or not you are a fan of this franchise, one of the pleasant surprises of March and 2024.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
WayForward has done god's work in design and execution, and in rekindling the feel of Konami's blistering run-and-gun IP. It's all expertly assembled: an adrenaline-fuelled bullet ballet that knows exactly what Contra is and should be, borrowing key elements from the series' back catalogue and elevating the action with an original moveset that feels fresh, fun, and exciting to toy with. It's this undeniable accomplishment that makes the Switch version somewhat deflating. There's a great game here, and yes, it is playable, it is fun, and it can be learned. But it's damaged by so many technical setbacks that one weeps for what should have been. Unity-coded titles on the Switch don't have a great track record, but WayForward can't really blame the tools and should have ironed it out considerably. Contra: Operation Galuga stands tall amongst its peers - just not this version. If you're a serious Contra fan, we're going to drop something utterly perverse for a Nintendo-focused publication, lay down a suppressing fire, and tell you to head straight over to Steam.