Probotector 4

So Contra 4. This has been a heck of an experience.
It first began with easy mode. "Consider this boot camp". Not too bad. 10 Lives. Let's you get back into your Contra groove and allows you to get used to the small changes such as the grappling hook. The first thing you notice is how great the weapons you pick up are. Also forward running levels have been included once again, and they can be the tougher levels. Once you've beaten level 7 though, things start to change. The game tells you that you must play at least Normal difficulty if you want to complete the game. But you now have Challenge mode available where you can earn yourself some lovely bonus content such as Contra & Super C for your continued gaming enjoyment, as well as more playable characters including my personal favorite, Probotector, the star of the German version of Contra, Probotector. "To probotect and serve". But by far the best thing you'll take from the challenges is strategy for use in the levels.
Now you move on to normal mode. "It may be called Normal, but this is no picnic". You were warned. 5 lives, faster enemies, falling boulders, and man-faced mutts. You can now play the full game, but good luck reaching levels 8 and 9. The first thing you notice is that your great weapon pick-ups are missing. Your weapons now have two levels of power. What you used in easy mode was of course the second level of power that you must collect two of a weapon to enable. Once you've finally managed to reach level 8 you'll wish you had another continue left. Once you've finally reached level 9, you'll wish you had all your continues left. When you've beaten the final boss, you will feel like a gaming master... until you remember that it's still only normal mode.
Onto hard mode. "Think you're a master of 2D action? Not anymore, you're not". 3 lives, and even faster enemies. So far that's all I've observed in this difficulty. If I actually manage to beat it on hard, I'll keep you updated.