I'm a fan of the original Contra and remember me and a friend playing it a lot. This game is a whole lot like it but done better. Its basically 2d side scrolling just like Contra and you're picking up weapons and upgrades by shooting things down and killing enemies amidst a storm of bullets at times. What I love about the game is there are 2 modes. One is arcade in which you pretty much play through unforgiving rounds and build up weapons and such as you go through. However, all that you accumulate during that play through starts over when your game is over. Then there is my favorite mode.... Rising Mode. In this mode you play through a level as far as you can get and do the best you can. (Some are BRUTALLY tough at first) At the end you are given points in order to unlock different things in order to help you make it through the game that you keep for good. Such as upgraded guns you can actually start out with, extra health, and extra lives even. You could literally RPG style farm levels if you want in order to gain points to unlock these awesome things. I've gotten out of it recently, but have logged quite some time on it playing online Co op (Yeah , its awesome) with my nephew. Just putting it out there. If your into this type of game and especially if you got someone else that would play with you. Pick it up. Its currently $14.99.

It's beautiful game, and has quite a pedigree from a great developer. There are some gameplay problems though, and that's what frustrated us so much.

I do still really like it though, I'm just not sure that it's worth $15 honestly.