Super C puts two soldiers back on the ground, guns aimed forward, against wave after wave of enemies. The NES title stands as a follower to Contra and keeps the same running and shooting formula in place. It trades some of the original’s variety for tighter, harder stages. The result is a solid but familiar shooter.
The Guns and the Grind
Players pick up the Wide Gun, the Machine Gun, the Flame Gun and other familiar arms placed across levels. Losing a life still means losing that gun, a rule that punishes mistakes hard. A code granting extra lives helps beginners get through the punishing later stages, though it grants fewer lives than the code Contra players made famous. Two players working together remains the best way to experience the game, with a partner covering the openings left by enemy fire.
Certain stages use levels viewed from above, breaking up the usual forward march of shooting. These parts add welcome variety but move at an easy pace next to the rest of the game. Boss fights hit hard and demand careful repetition more than skill alone. Repetition sets in by the game’s back half.
Sound and Look
The game looks well made for the NES, with bigger figures on screen and more detailed scenery than the original Contra. Bright flames of fire fill the screen during boss fights without much pause in the action. The music drives the action along, though it rarely stands out.
Difficulty and Return Play
Super C is hard. Enemies come from many directions at once, and a single hit ends a life. The difficulty rewards patience and repeated tries, a design choice common to games of its kind, though it can tire a player working alone. Return value comes mostly from playing with a partner and from attempts to finish the game quickly.
Numbers Box
- Platform: NES
- Genre: Shooting game with running action
- Players: 1-2, together
- Chief feature: Play together with a partner
- Score: 6.1/10
The Verdict
Super C gives more of what made Contra popular, without pushing the design forward in any real way. The shooting feels good, playing with a partner is pleasant, and the difficulty gives it lasting appeal for players willing to return to it. But the repetition and lack of new ideas keep it from rising above the game that came before it. It plays it safe.
