Contra: Rogue Corps Review – Konami's Bold but Flawed Switch Revival
In recent years, Konami has made notable strides toward reestablishing its presence among classic gaming franchises.
Following the launch of Super Bomberman R for the Nintendo Switch in 2017—met with positive critical and commercial reception—Konami continued this momentum with two distinguished compilations, Castlevania Anniversary Collection and Contra Anniversary Collection, both released in 2019.
These releases were celebrated by longtime fans, signaling a conscious effort by Konami to re-engage with its legacy intellectual properties on the Switch and other modern platforms.
At E3 2019, the company revealed an all-new entry in the iconic run-and-gun franchise: Contra: Rogue Corps. Contra: Rogue Corps, designed as a modern take on the series, drew attention for its departure from traditional gameplay.
Opting for a twin-stick shooter format, the game looked to both honor the franchise's legacy—particularly referencing top-down segments from Contra III: The Alien Wars—and introduce a contemporary spin.
However, despite this ambitious shift, the execution has fallen short of expectations set by earlier entries and by Konami's other recent successes. According to official sources and industry analysis, Contra: Rogue Corps presents an extensive campaign, with average playthrough times ranging from 12 to 15 hours.
The game offers cooperative play and online PvP modes, and features a variety of characters, items, and upgrades.
Yet, several aspects of the design have been met with criticism.
Control responsiveness and aiming mechanics were cited as less precise compared to both indie and AAA contemporaries in the twin-stick shooter category.
The choice to implement weapon overheating—requiring players to pause offensive maneuvers to wait for cooldowns—interrupts the fast-paced action that the Contra brand is known for.
While this mechanic can be mitigated during co-op sessions, it often hampers the intended chaotic intensity in single-player modes. Enhancing your character over the campaign feels less rewarding than it should, as upgrades and collectible loot rarely impact gameplay in a meaningful way.
While the sheer quantity of content is considerable for fans seeking a lengthy experience, some have found the campaign's duration artificially extended by repetitive grind and lackluster loot progression. Visual presentation is another area where Contra: Rogue Corps does not reach contemporary standards.
The game’s graphics, both docked and portable on the Nintendo Switch, have been described as blurry, with outdated textures reminiscent of earlier console generations.
Audio design similarly fails to stand out, contributing to an overall sensory experience that is adequate but unremarkable. Despite these criticisms, Contra: Rogue Corps is not without merit.
Cooperative multiplayer offers occasional flashes of enjoyment, and the inclusion of extravagant weaponry, over-the-top finishers, and high-impact bombs delivers moments of classic Contra mayhem.
However, these elements do not coalesce into an experience that matches the heights of the franchise’s earlier entries.
As summarized by recent critical consensus, while the game provides some entertainment value—especially for series completists—it lacks the consistency and polish required to warrant a strong recommendation at full price. Contra: Rogue Corps stands as a testament to Konami’s willingness to experiment within its renowned portfolio, and while the results might be mixed, the attempt is commendable.
For fans who crave the pure essence of Contra, the Anniversary Collection released on Switch remains a more reliable dose of nostalgia and challenge.
Version tested for this review: Nintendo Switch.
Review copy provided by Konami.
Following the launch of Super Bomberman R for the Nintendo Switch in 2017—met with positive critical and commercial reception—Konami continued this momentum with two distinguished compilations, Castlevania Anniversary Collection and Contra Anniversary Collection, both released in 2019.
These releases were celebrated by longtime fans, signaling a conscious effort by Konami to re-engage with its legacy intellectual properties on the Switch and other modern platforms.
At E3 2019, the company revealed an all-new entry in the iconic run-and-gun franchise: Contra: Rogue Corps. Contra: Rogue Corps, designed as a modern take on the series, drew attention for its departure from traditional gameplay.
Opting for a twin-stick shooter format, the game looked to both honor the franchise's legacy—particularly referencing top-down segments from Contra III: The Alien Wars—and introduce a contemporary spin.
However, despite this ambitious shift, the execution has fallen short of expectations set by earlier entries and by Konami's other recent successes. According to official sources and industry analysis, Contra: Rogue Corps presents an extensive campaign, with average playthrough times ranging from 12 to 15 hours.
The game offers cooperative play and online PvP modes, and features a variety of characters, items, and upgrades.
Yet, several aspects of the design have been met with criticism.
Control responsiveness and aiming mechanics were cited as less precise compared to both indie and AAA contemporaries in the twin-stick shooter category.
The choice to implement weapon overheating—requiring players to pause offensive maneuvers to wait for cooldowns—interrupts the fast-paced action that the Contra brand is known for.
While this mechanic can be mitigated during co-op sessions, it often hampers the intended chaotic intensity in single-player modes. Enhancing your character over the campaign feels less rewarding than it should, as upgrades and collectible loot rarely impact gameplay in a meaningful way.
While the sheer quantity of content is considerable for fans seeking a lengthy experience, some have found the campaign's duration artificially extended by repetitive grind and lackluster loot progression. Visual presentation is another area where Contra: Rogue Corps does not reach contemporary standards.
The game’s graphics, both docked and portable on the Nintendo Switch, have been described as blurry, with outdated textures reminiscent of earlier console generations.
Audio design similarly fails to stand out, contributing to an overall sensory experience that is adequate but unremarkable. Despite these criticisms, Contra: Rogue Corps is not without merit.
Cooperative multiplayer offers occasional flashes of enjoyment, and the inclusion of extravagant weaponry, over-the-top finishers, and high-impact bombs delivers moments of classic Contra mayhem.
However, these elements do not coalesce into an experience that matches the heights of the franchise’s earlier entries.
As summarized by recent critical consensus, while the game provides some entertainment value—especially for series completists—it lacks the consistency and polish required to warrant a strong recommendation at full price. Contra: Rogue Corps stands as a testament to Konami’s willingness to experiment within its renowned portfolio, and while the results might be mixed, the attempt is commendable.
For fans who crave the pure essence of Contra, the Anniversary Collection released on Switch remains a more reliable dose of nostalgia and challenge.
Version tested for this review: Nintendo Switch.
Review copy provided by Konami.
