• Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Oct 22, 2002
Contra: Shattered Soldier Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 40 Ratings

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  • 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 asAll 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] Expand
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Contra: Shattered Soldier Movie 11
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 33
  2. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. 90
    Its combination of old-school shooter gameplay and high-end graphics makes it a blast to play.
  2. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    87
    Old school in every possible way. [Jan 2003, p.173]
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Delightfully preposterous H.R. Giger carnage. [22 Nov 2002, p.85]
  4. 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.
  5. A mind-bendingly tough game that you simply cannot put down.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 18
  2. Negative: 7 out of 18
  1. Jan 29, 2021
    10
    Well... this maybe the HARDEST PS2 GAME I've ever played... and IT'S AWESOME.
    The graphics are in 3D and they look soooo good, the sounds are
    Well... this maybe the HARDEST PS2 GAME I've ever played... and IT'S AWESOME.
    The graphics are in 3D and they look soooo good, the sounds are more "realistic" so they match with the graphics and the aesthetics, and the music... HOO BOY, THE MUSIC OF THIS CONTRA, I DARE TO SAY IT'S THE BEST! Composed by Akira Yamaoka, the composer from Silent Hill!
    Now, the game is HARD, like, REALLY HARD, but with time you will master it, since its patterns are always the same... but that doesn't mean they are easy. Just master your weapons (Machine Gun, Flamethrower, Grenades and their special shots) and you will triumph.
    The only thing I don't really like, is... the bosses, TOO MANY BOSSES.
    Leaving everything aside, this is a REALLY HARD GAME, but a the same a REALLY GOOD ONE.
    If you can't handle it... it's your problem, and don't go b*****n' because you can't pass the first stage.
    Expand
  2. ShaunB.
    Feb 11, 2003
    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!!!
  3. RickS.
    Jan 10, 2003
    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, 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.. Expand
  4. Aug 18, 2019
    7
    Why didn't I know about this game until now??

    Yeah, it's definitely Contra... mostly. Where else could you do multiple flips while firing
    Why didn't I know about this game until now??

    Yeah, it's definitely Contra... mostly. Where else could you do multiple flips while firing straight ahead? It's very "pick up n play," the action is excellent and there is more shooting control than ever. The graphics are beautiful since most of it is 2-D side-scrolling.

    On the minus side, you may or may not love the absence of traditional upgrades. No more spread shot for you. The new weapon system isn't bad, but it's not quite Contra-y enough. Also, it's a little too light on non-mini-boss action... it could have used more running and gunning.

    Overall, it's a fun action side-scroller on its own, but for Contra fans, it's equal parts "hey I remember this!" and "this feels kinda weird."
    Expand
  5. JasonP.
    Dec 28, 2002
    4
    Very Tough, but it was much like the origonal, well the one on SNES not really like the one on NES. in any case it was ok, I was going to get Very Tough, but it was much like the origonal, well the one on SNES not really like the one on NES. in any case it was ok, I was going to get Vice city... my friend talked me into getting this. *wishes he trusted his instincts instead* -.- Expand
  6. DH
    May 8, 2008
    1
    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 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. Expand
  7. PeterD.
    Nov 1, 2002
    0
    Maybe Im so angry because I had I expectations for this game, but I was truly disapointed with everything about it. They took the original Maybe Im so angry because I had I expectations for this game, but I was truly disapointed with everything about it. They took the original and upgraded nothing or at least what they did upgrade made it worse.The game should never sell for 50 dollars but Konami knows it will because of the name they slapped on it. Save 40 dollars and buy the original for 10. YOU WILL HAVE MORE FUN THAN THIS DISAPPOINTING GARBAGE!!!! Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

58
43
#43 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
17
#17 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002