Run-and-Gun Chaos

Contra 3: The Alien Wars | Super Nintendo

Earth is overrun by Red Falcon’s alien legions. Sprint through city ruins, highway bike chases, and top-down warzones using screen-filling firepower and acrobatic dodges.

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Contra 3: The Alien Wars | Super Nintendo gameplay screenshot

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Choose solo or co-op, swap between two weapons on the fly, and call in limited smart bombs when the battlefield becomes overwhelming.

Controls

  • Enter / XNext menu option or start the game
  • EnterPause or bring up the menu mid-level
  • Arrow KeysMove, crouch, or navigate menus
  • XJump or climb
  • ASwitch the active weapon slot
  • ZTrigger a smart bomb
  • SShoot in the direction you are facing

Tip: connect a USB controller and map these buttons for the most authentic retro experience.

What Is Contra 3: The Alien Wars | Super Nintendo?

Contra 3 is a high-octane shooter mixing side-scrolling and top-down missions with relentless enemy waves.

Players carry two weapons simultaneously, allowing quick swaps between spread shots, homing missiles, flamethrowers, and more.

Smart bombs clear the screen but are limited, encouraging strategic use during boss phases.

Key Features

  • ⭐Six missions with varied perspectives and set pieces.
  • ⭐Two-player cooperative campaign support.
  • ⭐Upgradeable weapons and dual-slot loadouts.
  • ⭐Vehicle sequences featuring hover bikes and tanks.
  • ⭐Massive bosses that test reflexes and pattern recognition.

How to Play

Follow these steps to keep the action flowing and uncover every secret inside Contra 3: The Alien Wars | Super Nintendo.

1

Pick one or two players, then move through each mission eliminating all enemies.

2

Collect weapon capsules to upgrade both of your weapon slots.

3

Use jumps, flips, and ledge climbs to avoid bullets and reach higher platforms.

4

Deploy smart bombs in dire situations to wipe out entire waves.

5

Defeat bosses by memorizing attack patterns and focusing fire on weak points.

Pro Tips

  • 💡Always keep a Spread Gun or Homing weapon for crowd control.
  • 💡Use the ability to hang or climb to dodge ground-based barrages.
  • 💡Save smart bombs for boss phases or when surrounded.
  • 💡Learn top-down stage controls early; rotation takes practice.
  • 💡In co-op, coordinate weapon types so you cover more situations.

FAQs

Is Contra 3 hard?

Yes. It’s famous for its difficulty, but mastering weapon swaps, jumps, and patterns makes it manageable.

Can I continue after losing all lives?

You have limited continues. Use them wisely and collect extra lives by scoring points.

Does co-op make the game easier?

Co-op lets players cover more screen space, but enemy counts also increase, so coordination is key.

Keep the Retro Energy Going

Practice inside Contra 3: The Alien Wars | Super Nintendo, then hop back into the Mii Maker to design avatars inspired by your favorite retro heroes.

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