Contra: Operation Galuga

Game Informer

Brian Shea·Mar 28, 2024

Critic80/100

Agreement—

While far from a one-to-one remake, Contra: Operation Galuga effectively captures the spirit of the original game while modernizing just enough to make for an exciting, albeit short, adventure.

GameSpot

Steve Watts·Mar 12, 2024

Critic60/100

Agreement—

Contra: Operation Galuga reimagines just enough to feel modern without losing the original game's identity.

IGN

Travis Northup·Mar 11, 2024

Critic60/100

Agreement—

An amusing run-and-gun that may meet your expectations, but won't exceed them.

Push Square

Scott McCrae·Mar 11, 2024

Critic80/100

Agreement—

The game's story mode is short overall, but thankfully there's an Arcade and Challenge mode that offer great replayability. The challenge mode in particular is a highlight as it doles out mini-challenges for you to blast through, like tricky platforming or a pacifist run of a level. So, all in all, this is undoubtedly the best game the series has had in a long time, and one fans of the classic games won't want to miss out on.

Nintendo Life

Tom Massey·Mar 11, 2024

Critic60/100

Agreement—

WayForward has done god's work in design and execution, and in rekindling the feel of Konami's blistering run-and-gun IP. It's all expertly assembled: an adrenaline-fuelled bullet ballet that knows exactly what Contra is and should be, borrowing key elements from the series' back catalogue and elevating the action with an original moveset that feels fresh, fun, and exciting to toy with. It's this undeniable accomplishment that makes the Switch version somewhat deflating. There's a great game here, and yes, it is playable, it is fun, and it can be learned. But it's damaged by so many technical setbacks that one weeps for what should have been. Unity-coded titles on the Switch don't have a great track record, but WayForward can't really blame the tools and should have ironed it out considerably. Contra: Operation Galuga stands tall amongst its peers - just not this version. If you're a serious Contra fan, we're going to drop something utterly perverse for a Nintendo-focused publication, lay down a suppressing fire, and tell you to head straight over to Steam.