Contra: Operation Galuga Reviews

Contra: Operation Galuga is ranked in the 51st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
80 / 100
Mar 14, 2024

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

90 / 100
Mar 11, 2024

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

80%
Mar 13, 2024

A cracking return for Konami's iconic run 'n' gun series, Contra: Operation Galuga is both nostalgic and new – an unfettered shot of adrenaline-fuelled arcade action, and an unbridled joy.

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GamingBolt
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Mar 21, 2024

While it never transcends its own limitations and fumbles, Operation Galuga is a solid entry into the Contra franchise that is fun enough to play on its own merits.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 31, 2024

I'm so glad Konami are in the business of publishing good video games again. Entrusting the Contra franchise to WayForward for Operation Galuga was an incredibly smart decision, resulting in a thoroughly replayable and enriching return to the grandfather of the run-'n'-gun franchise. There is so much fun to be had learning levels, dying and grinding it out as you become familiar with level design patterns and weapon skills. Challenge levels are also fantastic gauntlets that'll make any seasoned Contra player sweat. Though the story is neither here nor there and the HUD driving it is a bit barebones, none of that gets in the way of the romping and stomping good time you'll have fighting for liberty and taking it to the alien threat once more. Contra is back.

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Mar 11, 2024

Contra returns in a new reimagining, with a very odd story but with the same great Run-N-Gun gameplay, the series is known for. Despite some issues with the audio mix and not being a fan of the visuals, this is the type of gameplay I've missed, and I'm glad to see that Konami has finally realized the Contra series had more than enough in the tank for another go.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 11, 2024

Contra: Operation Galuga brings the essential Contra experience into the modern era. It retains the classic's white knuckle challenge, awesome level designs, boss creativity and firepower while adding some modern touches to make the game palatable and enjoyable by more people. It's not particularly long, but playing through once has never been the draw of a Contra game. It's a game that begs to be re-played and perfected. If you've ever been curious to try Contra, this is a great way to get into the franchise.

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7 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2024

Contra Operation Galuga is a welcomed return to form for this classic franchise, but it is also a 101 scrolling shooter that takes very few risks. We sincerely hope to see Wayforward again at work with this brand and to see them unleash their talent without restraints.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Evan Norris
Top Critic
7.5 / 10.0
Mar 11, 2024

The moment-to-moment action is terrific, level designs and boss battles are mostly great, character and weapon diversity provide high replay value, and customization options allow for an adventure as dangerous or approachable as you like. With a more interesting story, a less tedious progression model, and nicer artistic assets, it would enter that next tier of greatness.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 11, 2024

Contra: Operation Galuga is a treat for both fans of Contra and run ‘n’ gun shooters in general. And thanks to its Perk system and multiple difficulty levels, it’s one of the most accessible entries in the genre. An absolute blast from beginning to end, Contra: Operation Galuga’s campaign might be quite brief, but with its additional modes and wealth of unlockables, there’s hours upon hours of arcade fun to be had here.

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5 / 10.0
Apr 18, 2024

This is a very mediocre shooter that plays it too safe and lacks the charm of the originals. There are far better options out there like Blazing Chrome or Gunlord X that will scratch that itch far better and those are priced more fairly than Contra: Operation Galuga.

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C
Aug 1, 2024

That said, it certainly isn’t unplayable, and if you can get past the glitches and warts, there’s a solid, enjoyable Contra game here. Operation Galuga might be flawed, but the heart and devotion that WayForward is known for shines through. What I hope is that this serves as the foundation for more entries in the series to come and that WayForward is given another shot at getting things 100 percent right in a sequel. Until then, Operation Galuga will do.

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7 / 10
Apr 27, 2024

Returning to the roots of the series, Contra Operation Galuga offers an entertaining experience for dedicated fans. However, it may lack innovation and fail to introduce fresh elements to captivate a broader audience.

Review in Persian | Read full review

70 / 100
Apr 6, 2024

The soldiers of Contra: Operation Galuga have the right moves for this mission, but the steep cost, short length, and awkward perspectives lead to a less-than-perfect execution.

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6.5 / 10.0
Apr 5, 2024

Although the remake went through the HD process and offered the old good gameplay with modern graphics, bonus perks, new characters and a challenge mode, but for that exorbitant price, the player would expect more than just 8 levels and around three hours of gameplay.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Mar 11, 2024

What it lacks in visual attractiveness, it does make up for with a solid run-and-gun experience that is comparable to the best Contra games of the past. The additional characters, four-player Arcade Mode, and tricky Challenge Mode extend the replay value, but some of the more fun, Easter egg-type perks that you can unlock require far too much grinding. While it may fall a bit short of being a sure-fire hit, Operation Galuga provides a fair amount of entertainment and some good ways of adjusting the difficulty of what has been a notoriously tough video game series.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 20, 2024

Contra: Operation Galuga is a worthy entry in the Contra series. The run-'n'-gun action is addictive; combined with great visuals and music, this is a game to check out and replay.

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Mar 13, 2024

I’m not the world’s biggest fan of Contra in the first place, but I’ve always admired the series for challenging and inspiring so many players over the decades. Likewise, I understand what WayForward’s done with this remake of the original. I appreciate the effort to try and find a broader audience. But if that was the goal they should have properly built the game around that kind of experience, rather than half-measuring it and then giving players the ability to just ignore it all. The complete lack of confidence in actually following through with whatever creative vision WayForward took into this project, unfortunately, leaves the entire experience feeling soulless.

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7.2 / 10.0
Mar 17, 2024

Contra: Operation Galuga stays true to its roots but makes changes to appeal to old and new players. The result is a good arcade experience that adapts to the player and appeals to nostalgia to convince classic game lovers. While it delivers on being fun and challenging, it fails in its presentation with soulless designs and a less-than-stellar technical side. It is ideal for fans of retro games but for action lovers there are better options to choose from.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Saudi Gamer
Top Critic
6 / 10
Mar 16, 2024

Contra Operation Gulag is a good attempt to bring the first Contra game to the modern market, it offer a solid run and gun action that will please the hardcore fans, but it definitely lacks the polish or artstyle to bring in new ones and the price it ask for is more than what the game has to offer

Review in Arabic | Read full review