Konami's announcement of Contra 4 didn't (initially) make with the passionate burning of the nerd loins, not like a flamethrower weapon upgrade would. It was a Nintendo DS game—which is fine, but I was looking for something a bit prettier—and it was from WayForward Technologies—nice folks, I'm sure, but they've got Ping Pals on their products page. 1UP's new preview of Contra 4, however, changes everything.

We'd been privy to some Nintendo Power scans of the game, courtesy of some our readers running afoul of copyright, but 1UP have ten in-game shots of the shooter, showing just how solid and old-school it's going to look. In addition to the respectable visuals, it seems WayForward is going to stick to the series roots and are well aware of the Western-developed Contra heritage, eschewing experimental gameplay for meat and potatoes run and gun fun.

It looks like it just might be crazy enough to work. Michael McWhertor

Previews: Contra 4 [1UP]

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