FindAlternative
Back to Contra

Contra vs Turrican

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

Compare
Contra
ContraClassic run‑and‑gun action that still thrills arcade fans.
Turrican
TurricanA fast‑paced sci‑fi shooter that tests your reflexes across five alien worlds.
Overview
Description

Contra is a 1987 run and gun action game where players control elite commandos Bill "Mad Dog" Rizer and Lance "Scorpion" Bean on a mission to stop the Red Falcon Organization. The game blends fast‑paced shooting, platforming, and sci‑fi warfare across side‑scrolling levels. Originally an arcade hit, Contra was ported to numerous home systems and remains a benchmark for cooperative shooters, offering both single‑player challenge and two‑player co‑op play.

Turrican is a 1990 side‑scrolling action shooter created by Manfred Trenz and released by Rainbow Arts. Set on the abandoned colony of Alterra, you control a bio‑engineered mutant warrior tasked with destroying hostile lifeforms and the rogue AI MORGUL. The game features vibrant pixel art, a synth‑driven soundtrack, and intense boss battles across multi‑level environments, delivering a classic retro experience that still feels fresh for modern players.

Pricing
Paid (One-time)
Paid (One-time)
Category
Action & Shooter
Action & Shooter
Best for
Retro gamers and arcade fans
Retro action gamers
Specifications
General
msrp
$9.9967%
$29.99
release date
1987-02-01
1990-12-31
Specifications
developer
Konami
Rainbow Arts
publisher
Konami
Ballistic, Accolade, Amiga, Rainbow Arts
age rating
PEGI 7, ESRB E10+
ESRB E
multiplayer
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Single player
critic score
50/100
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Iconic co‑op gameplay
  • Fast‑paced, addictive action
  • Memorable weapon variety
  • Timeless retro graphics
  • Fast‑paced, addictive gameplay.
  • Rich variety of weapons and upgrades.
  • Challenging boss battles.
  • Atmospheric retro graphics and music.
Cons
  • High difficulty may deter newcomers
  • Limited save system
  • Simple story presentation
  • Limited to single‑player mode.
  • High difficulty may deter casual players.
  • Original controls feel dated on modern keyboards.
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

More alternatives & similar tools

Alternatives to Contra

View all →
Super Contra
Super Contra

Classic run‑and‑gun action with side‑scroll and overhead stages.

Compare
Turrican
Turrican

A fast‑paced sci‑fi shooter that tests your reflexes across five alien worlds.

Compare
Demon Attack
Demon Attack

Blast waves of colorful demons in a retro arcade shooter

Compare

Alternatives to Turrican

View all →
Sol-Feace
Sol-Feace

Classic 2D sci‑fi shooter with power‑up weapons across six challenging levels.

Compare
The Terminator
The Terminator

Side‑scrolling action shooter where you battle a relentless Terminator.

Compare
VectorMan 2
VectorMan 2

Retro sci‑fi shooter where a damaged ship sends you crashing into alien labs.

Compare
Midnight Resistance
Midnight Resistance

Rescue your family in a dystopian side‑scroll shooter adventure

Compare

The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

Contra offers cheaper, co‑op retro shooting fun, while Turrican provides more single‑player content and variety at a higher price.

Key differences

  • Contra includes two‑player simultaneous co‑op; Turrican is single‑player only.
  • Price: Contra $9.99 vs Turrican $29.99.
  • Content: Turrican has six distinct worlds with hidden routes; Contra focuses on classic arcade stages.
  • Weapon systems: Both have variety, but Turrican emphasizes upgrades and power‑ups.
  • Critical reception: Contra has a 50/100 critic score; Turrican’s score isn’t listed.
DimensionWinner

Gameplay & fun factor

Contra’s iconic co‑op and fast‑paced action are generally more socially engaging than Turrican’s solo play.

Contra

Platform availability

Specific modern platform support isn’t provided for either game.

Tie

Pricing & value

Contra costs $9.99, three times cheaper than Turrican’s $29.99, offering better price‑to‑content ratio.

Contra

Multiplayer / co‑op

Contra supports two‑player simultaneous co‑op; Turrican is single‑player only.

Contra

Content & replayability

Turrican features six multi‑level worlds, hidden secrets, and alternate routes, giving more exploration depth.

Turrican

Difficulty & accessibility

Both games are noted as high‑difficulty, potentially deterring casual players.

Tie

Graphics & performance

Both are retro‑style pixel graphics with atmospheric soundtracks; no performance data to differentiate.

Tie

Choose Contra if…

Buyers who want affordable co‑op retro shooting fun with friends.

Choose Turrican if…

Buyers who prefer a deeper single‑player experience with more worlds and upgrades.

Common questions

Which game is cheaper?

Contra costs $9.99, while Turrican is $29.99.

Can I play with a friend?

Yes, Contra offers two‑player simultaneous co‑op; Turrican is single‑player only.

Which game has more levels or content?

Turrican includes six distinct worlds with hidden routes and secrets, offering more exploratory content than Contra.