2 Players OnlinePlayable in browserNo downloadFamicom

Contra (NES) Online

Play Contra (NES) online free – Bill and Lance against Red Falcon, the spread gun and the 30-lives Konami code. No download, 2 player online co-op.

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About Contra (NES)

Contra on the NES is one of the most loved action games of the 8-bit era – and one of the hardest. Two commandos, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, are sent to an island to stop Red Falcon, an alien force hiding behind a terrorist army. You run, jump, shoot in eight directions and pray you never lose the spread gun, because one hit from anything costs a life.

It is also one of the best co-op games ever made. Two players clear the stages together, and the shared screen means you have to move as a team.

The eight stages

Jungle – the classic opening, with the wall boss at the end.
Base 1 and 4. Base 2 – pseudo-3D corridors where you shoot into the screen.
Waterfall – a vertical climb to a rock alien.
Snow Field, 6. Energy Zone, 7. Hangar – increasingly brutal side-scrolling stages.
Alien's Lair – a nightmare of organic walls and Red Falcon's heart.

Weapons

S – Spread gun: the best weapon; five bullets in a fan.
M – Machine gun, L – Laser, F – Fire ball.
R increases your bullet speed and B gives a short barrier.

The Konami code

The famous code works here: on the title screen press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start (Select, Start for two players) to start with 30 lives. No shame in using it – Contra is hard.

Tips

Lie down to dodge bullets aimed at standing height.
In the base stages, destroy the wall cores quickly before enemies overwhelm you.
In co-op, the player on the right controls scrolling – move together so nobody is dragged off screen.

Continue with Super Contra, try the arcade original, or see every game on the Contra hub.

How to Play Contra (NES) Online

Press Play Now. The game opens in a new tab and starts in your browser – nothing to download or install.
On a computer, play with the keyboard or plug in a USB or Bluetooth gamepad. Open the player menu to see or remap the keys.
On a phone or tablet, use the on-screen buttons. Turn the device sideways for a bigger screen.
Use the save state option in the player menu to keep your progress between sessions.

Tip: a gamepad makes special moves and long combos much easier than the keyboard.

Play Contra (NES) with a Friend

Local: connect two gamepads (or share the keyboard) and press Start on the second controller to join.
Online: start the game, open the Net Play option in the player menu and create a room.
Send the room link to your friend. When they join, you play together in real time – versus or co-op.
For the smoothest match, both players should use a wired or stable Wi-Fi connection.

FAQ

How do I get 30 lives in Contra?

On the title screen, press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, then Start. For two players, press Select before Start. You begin with 30 lives instead of 3.

How many stages does Contra (NES) have?

Eight - Jungle, Base 1, Waterfall, Base 2, Snow Field, Energy Zone, Hangar and the Alien's Lair.

Can I play Contra (NES) online for free?

Yes. Contra (NES) runs directly in your browser and is free to play. Press Play Now on this page and the Famicom game starts in a new tab.

Do I need to download Contra (NES)?

No. There is no download, ROM file or emulator setup. Everything runs in the browser, so you can start playing Contra (NES) in a few seconds.

Can I play Contra (NES) on my phone?

Yes. Contra (NES) works in modern mobile browsers with on-screen touch controls. Chrome on Android and Safari on iPhone give the most stable experience.