Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX

About Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX (GBA)

Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX is a run-and-gun action game developed and published by Konami for the Game Boy Advance in 2002. It is a handheld version of the Super Nintendo classic Contra III: The Alien Wars, remade for portable play. Players once again take up arms against an alien invasion, fighting through city streets, military bases, and alien hives in one of the most intense action games on the system.

You play as a commando battling the alien warlord Red Falcon’s forces, armed with a rifle that can be upgraded into devastating spread, laser, and homing weapons. It is famous for its difficulty: enemies attack from every direction and one hit can cost you a life. For fans of old-school arcade action, Contra Advance remains a benchmark for fast, unforgiving, and deeply satisfying shooting on a handheld.

Detailed Gameplay

Contra Advance is a side-scrolling shooter at its core. You run right, shoot everything that moves, dodge bullet patterns, and fight a boss at the end of each stage.

Run, gun, and dodge

• Move and shoot in multiple directions, including up and diagonally, to hit enemies above and below you.
• Jump over bullets, pits, and charging enemies, since standing still is the fastest way to lose a life.
• Grab weapon capsules to upgrade your rifle into spread shots, lasers, and other powerful forms.

Stages, vehicles, and set pieces

• Stages range from burning city streets to alien-infested bases, each with its own enemies and hazards.
• Some sections put you on vehicles or in fast-moving sequences that change the pace and the threats you face.
• Turrets, flying drones, and ground troops attack in waves, forcing you to prioritise the most dangerous target first.

Boss battles and relentless difficulty

• Every stage ends with a large boss, from alien war machines to giant creatures, with multiple attack phases.
• Bosses fill the screen with projectiles, so learning their patterns is essential to surviving the fight.
• Screen-clearing bombs can save you in a desperate moment, but they are limited, so use them wisely.

Game Highlights

• Contra III on the go: The beloved Super Nintendo shooter, rebuilt for the Game Boy Advance.
• A huge weapon arsenal: Spread, laser, and homing shots change how you approach every stage.
• Relentless boss fights: Giant multi-phase bosses are the game’s signature test of skill.
• Pure arcade intensity: Fast action, dense bullet patterns, and high stakes in every second of play.

Controls

On Game Boy Advance, you run, jump, and shoot with the pad and buttons, aiming in several directions as you move.

• D-Pad: Move left and right, crouch, and aim your weapon up or diagonally.
• A Button: Jump over pits, bullets, and charging enemies.
• B Button: Fire your weapon and hold it for continuous shooting.
• L Button: Use a screen-clearing bomb in desperate moments.
• R Button: Lock your aim or perform special weapon actions depending on the stage.
• Start Button: Pause the game and open the menu.
• Select Button: Access options from the title and pause screens.

Tips and Strategies to Win

Survive the alien war with these tactics for weapons, positioning, and boss patterns.

• Keep the spread shot when you can, since its wide coverage clears crowds and flying enemies faster than the basic rifle.
• Move constantly and never stay on one platform for long, because enemies and bullets converge on a stationary target.
• Save your bombs for boss phases or rooms where you are surrounded, not for ordinary enemies you can shoot.
• Learn each boss’s attack order before going aggressive, then strike hard during the gaps between its attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Contra Advance the same game as Contra III: The Alien Wars? A: It is a handheld version of Contra III, adapted for the Game Boy Advance. The core stages, weapons, and boss fights carry over, with changes made for portable play.

Q: Why is Contra Advance considered so difficult? A: Enemies attack in dense waves, one hit costs a life, and losing a life downgrades your weapon. Success comes from pattern memory, careful positioning, and quick reactions.

Q: Can I play Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX online for free? A: Yes, you can play Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX online free in your browser on RiveGame, with no download or installation needed.