Advanced Search >
Help Me Search

Games

Sony

PS3 | PSP | PS2 | PS One

Microsoft

Xbox 360 | Xbox

Nintendo

Wii | DS | GBA | Cube | N64

Other Platforms

PC | N-Gage | Dreamcast

Upcoming &
Recent Releases

sort by namesort by score

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Contra: Shattered Soldier

EMAILPRINTps2

Contra: Shattered Soldier
78
6.3 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 33 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 20 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Konami

Developer: Konami

Genre(s): Action, Shooter

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: October 22, 2002

Summary

All of the legendary action and adrenaline of the famed Contra series comes to the PS2. Massive, screen-filling boss characters, a Contra series staple, do everything they can to keep players from proceeding through the multiple action-packed missions, while environmental threats such as swarms of bugs, aggressive enemies and alien encounters keep players on their toes. [Konami]

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

90

GamePro

Its combination of old-school shooter gameplay and high-end graphics makes it a blast to play.

Read Full Review >
90

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

Just like the best Contra games before it, Shattered Soldier puts your gaming skills completely to the test, but can still be mastered. [Jan 2003, p.126]

90

PSM Magazine

Fine shooting action served straight, no chaser. [Holiday 2002, p.30]

90

GMR Magazine

After numerous shoddy attempts to bring classic Contra gameplay to a next-gen system, Konami finally gets it right. [Feb 2003, p.92]

87

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Old school in every possible way. [Jan 2003, p.173]

86

Game Over Online

I really enjoyed Shattered Soldier and I highly recommend that you grab a best friend and tear through this game some Friday night.

Read Full Review >
83

GamingTrend

This game is excellent, although very frustrating. I only made it past the Easy difficulty, I am not even going to try the Normal difficulty even if the real ending is behind it.

Read Full Review >
83

Into Liquid Sky

Adding lots of enemies and huge bosses only makes the game more frustrating. Expect veins to pop out of your cranium, and a few broken controllers. Although I did have a tough time getting through the missions, I did have fun.

Read Full Review >
83

Game Informer

I sorely miss the old weapons that Konami decided to remove. Gone are the spray gun, missle launchers, laser cannon, and super bomb. [Dec 2002, p.116]

83

Entertainment Weekly

Delightfully preposterous H.R. Giger carnage. [22 Nov 2002, p.85]

82

netjak

Does a lot of things right, but sadly it is mainly for the purest of pure hardcore gamers, as Shattered Soldier’s steep learning curve and INCREDIBLY difficult gameplay, this probably will not please a mainstream gamer too much.

Read Full Review >
82

Absolute Playstation

Probably one of the toughest titles released for the PS2 and right up there with the other games in the Contra series.

Read Full Review >
80

IGN

Make no mistake, you will die like a fly playing this game, very early and very often. But the pattern design is good enough that skill and perceptive analysis offers the possibility of mastery for dedicated players.

Read Full Review >
80

Play Magazine

The most faithful translation of a classic yet, but there's no denying that the difficulty will turn some off. [Dec 2002, p.56]

80

All Game Guide

Pure Contra goodness. Most of the hallmarks that make the series great are here, including finger-frazzling gameplay, the indispensable two-player cooperative mode, constant shooting action, and giant bosses with well-hidden weak points.

Read Full Review >
80

G4 TV

The simplistic gameplay of the series is not lost but refined to create a challenge that is both undeniably fun and not entirely impossible.

Read Full Review >
76

TotalGames.net

No matter how many times you die in the same place, no matter how frustrated you get, it has that magical power to make you snatch that controller back and soldier on.

Read Full Review >
76

GameSpot

Die-hard Contra fans hoping for a pure Contra remake may find themselves a little disappointed that, for all its similarity to its classic predecessors, Contra: Shattered Soldier takes a few too many liberties.

Read Full Review >
75

Game Revolution

It's fun to learn the patterns and hone in on that perfect game, though the limited gameplay and the shortness of the actual experience make it well suited for a rental.

Read Full Review >
75

GameSpy

In my case, the funnin' exceeded the bummin', but not as much as I wanted. This just isn't the game that'll bring 2D gameplay back into vogue.

Read Full Review >
75

Cinescape

While Contra: Shattered Soldier is a short game, fans of the original will eat it up. It’s also a game for anyone looking for a challenge.

Read Full Review >
75

Gaming Age

A mind-bendingly tough game that you simply cannot put down.

Read Full Review >
75

GamerWeb Sony

Due to the sheer difficulty, it's actually only for a select few.

Read Full Review >
75

GameNow

You'll definitely get into it if you're into classic shooters, but if you've been reared in the modern era, it may simply be too frustrating. [Jan 2003, p.54]

74

GameZone

I'm sure that I'll have the urge to beat it again in a year, and then again in five years. But aside from playing the co-op multiplayer mode, it'd be tough to get me to come back any more frequently than that.

Read Full Review >
70

PSX Nation

What it lacks in flash, longevity and accuracy to the “Contra” universe (no weapon pick-ups??!!) Shattered Soldier compensates for with old-fashioned, thumb-blistering, bang-your-head-against-the-wall hard shooting antics of the 2D and 2.5D variety.

Read Full Review >
70

Cheat Code Central

I felt there was entirely too many bosses to fight and not nearly enough run and gun action. Each short action stage is merely setting you up for another boss battle.

70

Yahoo! Games

You also never get into that old-fashioned running and jumping zone that so characterised the initial games in the series, because you're usually timing laser blasts and calculating jumps.

Read Full Review >
65

GameCritics

I’d like to see Contra taken to the next level while retaining its identity... Give me something besides a carbon copy of action that has already been done, and done to perfection on older systems.

Read Full Review >
65

Electric Playground

Prime rental territory; it's one of those games that will be adored by some and abhorred by others, with hardly any middle ground.

Read Full Review >
60

Gamestyle

Its sheer difficulty will put off all but the most hard core of gamers (and even then it’s gonna take a lot to convince.)

Read Full Review >
60

eToychest

You spend too much time learning patterns, and not enough just running around blow stuff up.

Read Full Review >
40

Eurogamer

Anybody who remembers the good old days of Contra should steer clear of Shattered Soldier, unless you have some sort of sadistic urge to lay waste to your senses and pollute your fond recollections of this once proud series.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.3 (out of 10) based on 20 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

D H gave it a1:
One of the worst games ever made. I appreciate the fact that they stuck to the original action-packed side scrolling genre, but none of the core values of Contra are here. You start with 3 weapons, and only have those 3 weapons throughout the entire game. There are no overhead powerups to shoot down, which was something a gamer could look forward to in the originals. There are three different difficulty levels, and the only thing they change are the number of continues you start with. There is no platforming except for maybe 5% of each level when you battle the "halfway" boss. All in all, this game in an utter disappointment compared to it's predecessors. This game makes me pity the Konami corporation.

Jimmi A. gave it an8:
Very good old fashioned shoot´n up. Hard pump action in old school way.

Bill S. gave it an 8:
Contra has made a fine return to form. The current generation of pussy gamers need not apply. Unless you're around 18 or 19 and enjoyed the originals (or if you think you've got the skill to tackle a Contra game) then you won't be able to appreciate. Sad too, since it's a stellar old-school shooter.

Super Contra Dude gave it a 10:
Kick ass contra game, its up there with the series of contra games.

Shaun B. gave it a 10:
The enemies are great. it is challenging yet fun. the best bit is the unlimited amount of ammunition. this game is class. i love it!!!

Jamie W. gave it a 9:
What a great game!! Being a fan of the original Contra game, I was anxiously awaiting this game. With sharp, and clear graphics, it is easy on the eyes, but the beauty to this game, is found in the reminiscent gameplay. each time you run through the level, you pick up on more and more ways to pass the level with ease, until you bolster your Hit Rate % (in search of extra levels) to the seemingly impossible 100%; and that is only on easy. I can not even imagine the sheer difficulty of this game on the hardest level, but one day I will accomplish this feat. This is a great game to pick up when you have some time to kill, because the action is fast, and quickly pleasing. Once a mastery of the different functions is gained, the levels become much more appealing, and the gameplay much more enjoyable. To fully enjoy this game, you must have played it for more than an hour, so pick it up, if you are game for a challenge.

Rick S. gave it a 9:
First let me just say that all you people that gave it less than 7 or gave it 0, don't even call yourself a gamer.. Even the critics, since when does "GameCritics or PSX nation knows what a good game is... If any one played the original, listen critics and jimmy, Imran, Tarik, and Peter, you would know that this game is built on strategy, every boss or stage has a weakness or a simple way to defeat it.. You people are acting like you never played a challenging game before... I mean come on this is not a finally fantasy game that has 4 hours of cut scenes, this is a game that keeps you on your toes and actually make you think... And im not even a hardcore gamer, i play games like devil may cry and GTA, Red Raction, silent hill etc... Konami has done a great job in recreating the old version with graphics and sound(metal), and gameplay.. What did you people want it to be, just run around shooting stuff..Thats not how the old contra was so konami kept the true gameplay and style the same...I mean damn alot of you people and critics are soft gamers.. And this game is fun, if you know what your doing, you should not have bought the game if you did't play the first one, so stop whining you wussys.. If anyone played the first game and was a fan from the start BUY THIS GAME, The graphics are mindblowing and the gameplay is the same, challenging..

Read more user comments >

Popular on CBS sites: SEC Football | NFL | Video Game Cheats | iPhone | Video Game Reviews | Notebooks | Antivirus Software

About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy (UPDATED) | Terms of Use