swap_horiz Contra Alternatives

1

Robotron: 2084

Robotron: 2084 is a challenging arcade shoot-em-up released in 1982. Players navigate a dystopian future where they batt...

Action Arcade Retro Challenging

9.1 Excellent

2

Metal Slug 3

Metal Slug 3 is a side-scrolling action video game developed by SNK. Released in 2000 for the Neo-Geo MVS arcade system,...

Action Arcade Retro Japan

9.1 Excellent

3

Ikaruga

Ikaruga is a bullet hell arcade game created by Treasure, building upon Radiant Silvergun’s mechanics. Players control S...

Arcade Retro Japan Challenging

8.9 Great

4

Space Invaders

Space Invaders is a classic arcade shoot ‘em up where players defend against waves of descending aliens using a laser ca...

Action Classic Arcade Vector Graphics

8.8 Great

5

R-Type

R-Type is a challenging 1980s Japanese arcade shoot-em-up. Players pilot the R-9 Arrowhead starship to combat the Bydo a...

Sci Fi Arcade Retro Japan

8.5 Great

6

Gradius

Gradius is a 1985 Konami arcade game that established a classic shoot-em-up genre. Players control the Vic Viper to navi...

Action Sci Fi Arcade Retro

8.5 Great

7

Metal Slug 2

Metal Slug 2 is a run and gun arcade game created by SNK, following the 1996 original. The title introduced new weapons,...

Action Arcade Retro Japan

8.3 Great

8

Super Contra

Super Contra is a challenging 1980s arcade shoot-em-up developed by Konami. It directly continues the story of the origi...

Action Iconic Arcade Retro

8.1 Great

9

Sunset Riders

Sunset Riders is a 1991 Konami arcade game set in the American Wild West. Players assume the role of bounty hunters task...

Action Arcade Retro Japan

8.1 Great

10

Raiden

Raiden is a 1990 arcade shooter set in 2090 where an alien invasion by the Crystals threatens Earth. Players control two...

Military Action Sci Fi Arcade

8.1 Great

11

Darius

Darius, released by Taito in 1987, is a horizontally scrolling shooter where players pilot the Silver Hawk to combat the...

Action Classic Arcade Retro

8.1 Great

12

Scramble

Scramble is a 1981 arcade game created by Konami, notable as one of the earliest examples of a horizontally scrolling sh...

Action Arcade Retro Japan

7.8 Good

13

Gyruss

Gyruss is a 1983 arcade shooter developed by Konami and later ported to various home systems including Atari 2600, Colec...

Action Arcade Retro Japan

7.8 Good

14

Guerrilla War

Guerrilla War is a Japanese strategy video game released in 1987 by SNK. The title focuses on intense action gameplay wh...

Strategy Military Action Arcade

7.5 Good

15

Metal Slug 5

Metal Slug 5 is a run and gun arcade game for the Neo-Geo platform, released in 2003 as the fifth installment of the ser...

Tactical Arcade Retro Japan

7.5 Good

16

Phoenix

Phoenix is a Japanese arcade shooter released by Taito in 1980. Players control a spacecraft navigating five repeating s...

Sci Fi Classic Arcade Fast Paced

7.3 Good

17

Zero Wing

Zero Wing is a horizontally scrolling arcade shooter released in 1989 by Toaplan. The game places players within the coc...

Action Sci Fi Arcade Retro

7.2 Good

18

Ikari Warriors

Ikari Warriors, released in 1986 by SNK and Tradewest, is an arcade run and gun game utilizing rotary joysticks for cont...

Military Action Arcade Retro

7.2 Good

19

Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja

Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja is a challenging 1988 arcade beat-em-up developed by Data East. The game’s notable difficulty...

Action Arcade Retro Japan

6.9 Fair

20

Donkey Kong 3

Donkey Kong 3 is a 1983 arcade shoot 'em up featuring exterminator Stanley, marking a departure from previous Donkey Kon...

Action Classic Arcade Retro

6.7 Fair