Operation C

The Good
I really loved the original NES version of Contra, so I can't help but compare the Game Boy version to that, at least where gameplay is concerned. But more about that later.

What's particularly good about Contra is its excellent graphics, at least if you consider the limited hardware. Lush landscapes and more-or-less detailed enemies provide for a very immersive gaming experience - relatively speaking, of course. The music isn't bad either.

The Bad
Gameplay, however, pales in comparison to the NES classic. The controls aren't as smooth as with the NES control pad, which often means you'll find yourself shooting in the wrong direction, or not being able to complete a jump. It is very frustrating.

Moreover, the game itself just isn't FUN compared to the NES version; I can't quite put my finger on it, but while I played the NES version to its completion a number of times, I was never able to play the Game Boy version for more than 30 minutes at a time. It's just frustrating, boring and not in any way as good as it is on the Game Boy's sibling.

The Bottom Line
Plain bad.