Contra: Operation Galuga Reviews
A disappointingly timid reboot/remake that while competently made does little to add to the Contra formula or move beyond the original games.
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.
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.
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 reimagining with fresh touches to gameplay and story to breathe new life into a series that fans have been dying for, yet brevity and limited co-op hold it back.
It's great to see a dying franchise back on its feet, both with its beloved classic gameplay and new mechanics that feel fresh. One of the best games in the series.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Contra: Operation Galuga reimagines just enough to feel modern without losing the original game's identity.
Overall, Contra: Operation Galuga offers a fast-paced, action-packed Contra experience with a mix of new and classic elements. It’s a game worth trying for its new spin on gameplay, new and returning characters, and replay value.
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
Introducing a new entry in the legendary Contra series! Contra: Operation Galuga is a thorough reimagining of the classic run 'n' gun NES/arcade game from the 1980s, featuring timeless gameplay, iconic weapons, modern graphics and sound, new stages, new enemies and bosses, new play mechanics, and intense co-op combat for up to two players in Story Mode or four players in Arcade Mode! The true Contra legacy begins now! Switch version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes. Contra: Operation Galuga is a satisfying retro revival. Fans of the series will have a blast, even if its visuals sometimes get in the way.
Contra: Operation Galuga won’t disappoint Contra fans, but it also won’t give them something new. While the game was described as a sequel, it is honestly more of a remake with some added extras. I’m not saying it’s an entirely bad thing; as “remakes” go, it’s done well. The developers at WayForward have kept the parts of the game that are so loved and improved on them, basically bringing Contra to a new generation while keeping the older fans happy.
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.
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.
Contra: Operation Galuga is a return to form for the series, with the satisfying run ‘n gun action undoubtedly standing the test of time over the years (and complemented by some neat modern features this time around). I had a lot of fun playing through the Story Mode and seeing the re-imagined take on some classic levels from the original game, but the manic four-player action of Arcade Mode and the unique trials of the Challenge Mode probably stood out as a highlight for me. It’s more accessible than ever too, with the added features helping it make for an easier experience that newcomers to the series are sure to appreciate. It’s just a really, really fun game and one that shows there’s still plenty of life left in Contra. Here’s hoping Konami ensure the same amount of love and care is put into their other classic franchises in the future.
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: Operation Galuga is not a long or groundbreaking title, but after the poor reception generated by its predecessor, a simple return to form for the franchise was the ideal way to go. It retains the gameplay loop, challenge and adrenaline from old school Contra, with a series of gameplay, accessibility, replayability, and quality of life improvements.
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
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
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
Faithful to its roots while introducing quality of life tweaks, Contra: Operation Galuga offers accessible and rewarding gameplay for series veterans and newcomers alike looking for retro shooting fun.