Contra (2001) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Contra is an abstract strategy board game designed by Michael Schacht and released in in 2001. It is a two-player game that involves tile placement and strategic thinking. The game has received mixed reviews from players and critics, with some praising its challenging gameplay and others criticizing its lack of depth.

Game Components of Contra

Player Boards: Each player has a unique board to manage their character’s abilities and equipment.

Character Cards: Representing different commandos with unique skills and strengths.

Enemy Tokens: Various enemy types from the video game series.

Weapon Cards: Different weapons and power-ups.

Level Tiles: Modular board pieces to create different levels.

Dice: Used for resolving combat and actions.

Health Tokens: To track player health.

Objective Cards: Defining the mission objectives.

How To Setup Contra

Setting up Contra involves assembling the modular board using the Level Tiles, distributing Character Cards to players, and preparing the enemy tokens and weapon cards. Each player chooses a commando and places their character on the starting point on the board. The objective cards are drawn to determine the mission’s goals.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to complete missions.

Modular Board: Levels are created randomly using Level Tiles.

Combat Resolution: Uses dice rolling and character abilities.

Character Progression: Players can upgrade their characters with new weapons and skills.

Mission Objectives: Complete specific tasks such as defeating a certain number of enemies or reaching a specific location.

Player Experience

In Contra: The Board Game, players immerse themselves in a fast-paced, action-packed experience reminiscent of the video game series. The cooperative nature encourages teamwork and strategic planning, while the modular board ensures each playthrough is unique. The game’s design makes it accessible to both fans of the video game series and newcomers to cooperative board games.

Pros

High Replayability: Thanks to the modular board and random enemy placement.

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and social interaction.

Faithful to the Source Material: Captures the spirit of the Contra video games.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Cons

Complex Setup: Assembling the modular board and preparing components can be time-consuming.

Luck of the Draw: Dice rolling can introduce randomness that may not always favor the players.

Limited Character Customization: Some players may find the character options too limited.

Personal Thoughts on Contra

Contra: The Board Game is ideal for fans of cooperative board games and action-packed adventures. It’s particularly suited for those who enjoy the Contra video game series, as it faithfully replicates the challenging and thrilling experience of the original games. New players will also find it engaging due to its simple yet strategic gameplay mechanics. However, those who prefer solo experiences or highly complex strategy games might find it less appealing.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.