NES Action Shooter 1990

Super C

Reviewed by Marcus Webb & Elena Castillo · Updated June 2025

Konami's 1990 NES sequel to Contra — Super C (Super Contra in arcades) sends Bill and Lance back against the Red Falcon's alien forces with the same two-player run-and-gun action, returning overhead bird's-eye stages, and several new weapons. A tighter and more varied sequel that many players prefer to the original for its improved stage design.

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💡 Super C — Key Facts

→ Super C was developed by Konami and published by Konami
→ Released in 1990 on NES
→ Genre: Action, Shooter
→ We rate it 9/10 — an absolute classic
→ Part of the Contra franchise
→ Konami's 1990 NES sequel to Contra — Super C (Super Contra in arcades) sends Bill and Lance back against the Red Falcon's alien forces with the same two-player run-and-gun action, returning overhead bird's-eye stages, and several new weapons. A tighter and more varied sequel that many players prefer to the original for its improved stage design.

Overview

Super C returns to the same formula as Contra: two players, run-and-gun, alien enemies, a Spread Shot that makes everything else feel inferior once collected.

The differences are in the details — the overhead stages, the enemy designs, the stage variety. Players who spent time with the original compare the two constantly. The consensus splits: some prefer Contra’s atmosphere, others Super C’s variety.

The Stages

Eight stages. Side-scrolling stages move leftward through jungle, alien fortress, and base environments. Overhead stages look down from above while players navigate alien compounds, shooting in all directions as enemies close from every angle.

The alternation creates variety that pure side-scrolling doesn’t provide. Overhead stages demand different spatial awareness — not just the horizontal axis, but all directions simultaneously. A player optimized for side-scrolling Contra needs adjustment for Super C’s overhead mechanics.

The Spread Shot

The Spread Shot (S) fires five simultaneous shots in a 120-degree fan. One shot goes straight forward; two angle at 30 degrees; two angle at 60 degrees. Everything in front of the player in a wide cone takes damage simultaneously.

The Spread Shot exists in an ecosystem of four other weapons, all of which are inferior to it in most situations. Players who understand Contra-series weapon dynamics prioritize the S pickup without hesitation. Players who don’t have slower boss kills and more dangerous stage traversal.

The Spread Shot is the secret. The rest is execution.

Co-Op

Bill and Lance work together, same as the original. Two sets of fire cover more of the screen. Two sets of eyes track more enemies. Two deaths in rapid succession end the run faster.

The Contra experience — and Super C specifically — was designed to be shared. The game’s difficulty is calibrated for two players managing it together, with solo difficulty higher than the intended experience.

Our Review

Outstanding / 10

🎮

Gameplay

★★★★★

🎨

Graphics

★★★★★

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Audio

★★★★★

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Replay

★★★★★

Gameplay

Super C is a run-and-gun action game where players control Bill or Lance in two-player co-op through eight stages fighting alien-military hybrids. The game alternates between side-scrolling stages (left-to-right bullet-hell action) and overhead bird's-eye view stages (top-down traversal of alien fortresses). Weapon pickups include Machine Gun, Laser, Spread Shot, Fireball, and Crush Grenade (large spread explosion). The spread shot returns from Contra as the top-tier weapon. Lives system with three-hit death. Enemy fire density escalates through the eight stages. Boss encounters at each stage's conclusion.

Graphics

Super C's NES visuals are improved over Contra — smoother animations, more detailed enemy designs, and distinct visual character for each of the eight stages. The overhead stages in particular provide effective top-down perspective.

Audio

Super C's soundtrack provides driving rock-inspired action music for the run-and-gun gameplay. The stage themes maintain Contra's energetic combat audio tradition.

Replayability

Eight stages with two-player co-op, weapon selection priority, and high-score pursuit provide the standard Contra-series replay. Completing the game on hard difficulty is a meaningful accomplishment.

Historical Significance

Super C (1990, NES) is the NES sequel to Contra (1987/1988) — one of the most successful run-and-gun games of the NES era. The Contra franchise continued with Contra III: The Alien Wars (SNES, 1992), Hard Corps (Genesis, 1994), and multiple subsequent entries. Super C is often debated against the original Contra for franchise preference — some players prefer Super C's stage variety; others prefer Contra's purer focus. Both are among the finest NES action games.

✅ Pros

+ Alternating side-scroll and overhead stages create variety
+ Two-player simultaneous co-op
+ Strong weapon variety including returning Spread Shot
+ Improved stage design versus original Contra
+ One of the finest NES run-and-gun games

❌ Cons

- High difficulty — standard NES Contra-series challenge
- Lives system can create lengthy progress resets
- Lacks the original Contra's cultural landmark status

Also Known As

Super Contra NESSuper C NES

Super C FAQ

How does Super C differ from the original Contra?

Super C makes several changes from Contra. The stage structure alternates more explicitly between top-down overhead stages and side-scrolling stages — the original Contra had three overhead stages among its eight levels, while Super C uses a more balanced alternation. The enemy designs are different — Super C uses distinct alien-military hybrid designs compared to Contra's enemies. The weapon set is the same core five weapons (Machine Gun, Laser, Spread, Fireball, Crush Grenade) with balance adjustments. Many players consider Super C's stage design more varied than Contra's, while finding the original Contra's military jungle setting more atmospheric. Both games use the same fundamental run-and-gun mechanics.

What are the weapons in Super C?

Super C features five weapon pickups. Machine Gun (M) fires rapid bullets and is an upgrade over the standard pistol. Laser (L) fires a concentrated beam that passes through multiple enemies — useful in enclosed stages. Spread (S) fires five simultaneous shots in a fan pattern covering a wide area — the strongest weapon and the fan-favorite from Contra. Fireball (F) creates a large explosive projectile with an arcing path. Crush Grenade (X) fires a large projectile that explodes into a spread of smaller shots across a wide area. The Spread Shot is typically prioritized by experienced players who know its value. Weapon priority in co-op games — who gets to the pickup first — creates an informal negotiation.

What are the overhead stages in Super C?

Super C alternates between two stage perspectives: side-scrolling stages (the standard run-and-gun view) and overhead bird's-eye view stages. Overhead stages show the player characters from above moving through alien fortress environments, shooting enemies that approach from all directions. The overhead view creates different combat dynamics — enemies attack from more varied angles, and the player can fire in multiple directions rather than only horizontally. Stage navigation in overhead mode requires awareness of all screen directions rather than just the left-right axis of side-scrolling stages. The alternation between perspectives prevents gameplay from becoming monotonous across eight stages.

Is Super C available on modern platforms?

Super C is available through Nintendo Switch Online's NES library for subscribers. The game appeared on the Contra Anniversary Collection (PS4/Xbox/Switch/PC, 2019) — a Konami compilation including Contra, Super C, Contra III: The Alien Wars, and other franchise entries with online co-op. For modern players, the Anniversary Collection is the recommended way to access Super C alongside the full classic Contra franchise. The original NES cartridge is available through retro game stores at moderate prices. Super C's inclusion in Nintendo Switch Online also provides easy access for subscribers.