Contra isn't that hard if you use the Konami code to start with 30 lives. I played it with my woman and we beat it on the first try (after using a continue). Cheating like this was the most elegant approach to experiencing a full game as quickly as possible during the pre-internet era because once you learned it you can use it on other Konami games too, like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Gradius.

Then we have the US, JP, and EU versions. The Japanese Famicom is clearly the winner because it has the best sound and a stage select feature. The US version seems rushed and incomplete as it's missing animations, cutscenes, and the hidden soundtest. It's just less polished in general too. The European version replaced humans with robots because they're a bunch of scared sissies. Although I do find the moonwalking robots quite charming.

The game is best enjoyed with a friend and not just two controllers and your feet, but you can try playing that way for an added challenge. The spread is my favorite weapon in the game, and so is yours. The lazer is useful against a few bosses and flat surfaces, and the flamethrower shoots fireballs in a slovenly manner, and is of questionable utility.

I hope that someone lands on www.GAMETESTPLAY.com because they were searching for guns and came across this awesome little website about video games and their music. What's your favorite gun? In-game or not? Start a dialogue in the comments.