Contra 4 Cheats & Cheat Codes for Nintendo DS

The first mainline Contra game to initially release on handheld and mobile, Contra 4 is a collaboration between Konami Digital Entertainment and developer WayForward. After releasing in November 2007 for the Nintendo DS, Contra 4 would make its way to mobile devices in a first for the series. Similar to other games in the Contra series, Contra 4 is a 2D side-scrolling run n’ gun shooter. Players must make their way across several distinct stages while taking out waves of enemies and navigating perilous platforming challenges. Contra 4‘s release would coincide with the series’ 20th anniversary, prompting Konami to include several bonuses as part of the anniversary celebration.

Not only does Contra 4 include a brand-new, original campaign, it also includes several unique features that players can unlock via the game’s Challenge Mode. The most important of these are the full, emulated versions of the NES Contra games, Contra and its sequel Super C. The title serves as a direct sequel to the 1992 classic Contra III: The Alien Wars and marks a return to form for the franchise. Following several 2D/3D and full 3D series entries, Contra 4 embraces the original gameplay style that the franchise helped popularize.

Critical and commercial reception for Contra 4 would both be overwhelmingly positive. Most critics would end up praising Contra 4 as the best game in the series since Contra III, and the inclusion of the NES-era Contra games on the cartridge is a welcome surprise that transforms Contra 4 into something of a franchise museum or anthology. Contra 4 has sold just over 300,000 units and continually ranks as one of the best Nintendo DS games.

Contra 4 Premise

Gameplay in Contra 4 is very similar to that of its predecessor, Contra III. Like in that game, players will cross vast stages featuring sprawling vertical and horizontal layouts. In addition to eliminating waves of enemies, most stages also typically contain a mini-boss enemy and a final boss. Players can shoot down flying objects that drop new weapons and power-ups, holding up to two weapons at a time. Like in Contra III, players can strategically switch between these weapons and will lose special weapons upon death. New to Contra 4 is the addition of a grappling hook that players can use to vertically scale platforms and hang from them.

The inclusion of a grappling hook ends up being a necessity thanks to one of Contra 4‘s more unique design features. Thanks to the Nintendo DS’ dual screens, stages in Contra 4 span both screens and players can navigate between them using the grappling hook and jumps. Of course, enemies have the same level of mobility, and many of the mid and end-stage bosses in Contra 4 make up for the player’s two screens by being large enough to take up space in both. Interestingly, other than the dual-screen stages and using touch-screen on the menus, Contra 4 makes no use of many of the DS’ special features.

Contra 4 Main Characters

The plot of Contra 4 takes some liberties with the rest of the franchise’s established canon, all while having some self-aware fun that pokes holes in the over-the-top action the series is known for. The story picks up years after the events of Contra III: The Alien Wars. Following the defeat of Red Falcon, a new villainous organization arises going by the name Black Viper. When Black Viper establishes operations on the island archipelago of Galuga (the setting of the original Contra), series heroes Bill Rizer and Lance Bean suit up once again for the “Final Strike” mission. Main characters in Contra 4 include:

• Bill Rizer: One of the two main protagonists in the Contra series. Bill Rizer is an elite soldier and member of the special “Contra” task force. Together with his brother-in-arms and fellow Contra member Lance Bean, he has helped beat back the alien invasion of Earth.
• Lance Bean: Bill Rizer’s partner and the other main member of the Contra task force, Lance Bean is the other main protagonist of the Contra series. In two-player co-op games, Player 1 controls Bill while Player 2 controls Lance.

Games in the Contra Series

Like Konami’s own Castlevania series, Contra is one of the most important and legendary franchises in gaming. The original Contra and Super Contra would end up being massive arcade hits, and their ports to the NES would be just as influential and groundbreaking. While Contra is not the first run n’ gun game, it would set a high bar that most other entries in the subgenre would aim to clear. The NES port of Contra is considered to be one of the best and most important games on the console, helping to establish its place as the dominant video game hardware in the 3rd console generation. The series has had several periods of dormancy, but a brand-new mainline entry was released in 2024. Games in the Contra series include:

• Contra (Arcade, 1987)
• Super Contra (Arcade, 1987)
• Contra (NES, 1988)
• Super C (NES, 1990)
• Operation C (Game Boy, 1990)
• Contra III: The Alien Wars (SNES, 1992)
• Contra Force (NES, 1992)
• Contra: Hard Corps (Genesis, 1994)
• Contra: Legacy of War (PlayStation, 1996)
• C: The Contra Adventure (PlayStation, 1998)
• Contra: Shattered Soldier (PS2, 2002)
• Neo Contra (PS2, 2004)
• Contra 4 (Nintendo DS, 2007)
• Contra ReBirth (Wii, 2009)
• Hard Corps: Uprising (PS3, Xbox 360, 2011)
• Contra: Rogue Corps (PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, 2019)
• Contra: Operation Galuga (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X/S, 2024)

Contra 4 Cheats & Cheat Codes

In addition to some official cheats, players can use that Contra 4 supports in-game, there are plenty of Pro Action Replay cheat codes available for the title. Further, Contra 4 features a Challenge Mode that players can engage with to unlock plenty of secret bonuses on the cartridge, including previous games in the Contra series.

Contra 4 Cheat Codes

Upgrade All Weapons

At any point during gameplay, pause the game and enter the Konami Code:
Up(2), Down(2), Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start

After entering the code and un-pausing the game, players will see that all their weapons are fully upgraded. Note that players can only enter this code once per level and it does not work on Easy Mode difficulty.

30 Lives in NES Contra

After booting up the NES Contra within Contra 4, enter the following code on the title screen:

Up(2), Down(2), Left, Right, Left, Right, Y, B, Start

Players will begin Contra with 30 lives using this alternate version of the classic Konami Code.

10 Lives in NES Super C

After booting up the NES version of Super C, press Right, Left, Down, Up, B, Y on the title screen. Players will begin the game with 10 lives.

Sound Test Mode in NES Super C

On the Super C title screen, hold Y + B and press Start as the game’s logo is fading. You will enter the Sound Test Mode.

Contra 4 Unlockables

Challenge Mode

Complete Contra 4 on any difficulty to unlock Challenge Mode.

Challenge Mode Unlockables

Completing a certain number of challenges in Challenge Mode unlocks the following bonuses within Contra 4:

Alternate Costume Colors for Bonus Characters

After beating the game and unlocking bonus characters through Challenge Mode, players can change their costume color. At the character selection screen, press Up or Down to choose an alternate color. Similarly, switch to a different character and back to revert to the standard color.

Alternate Ending

Beating Contra 4 on Normal or Hard difficulty will unlock an alternate ending.

Hard Mode in NES Contra

After completing the NES Contra within Contra 4, simply restart the game after the credits to experience the Hard Mode difficulty.

Contra 4 Glitches

99 Lives Glitch

If players can manage to lose a life right as they gain a 1-Up, the game will glitch and give them 99 lives. The best place to attempt this is on the Mini-Boss in Level 1. Killing the Mini-Boss will typically see players cross the point threshold for an extra life. Simply get hit by one of the fireballs it shoots the instant you destroy it.

Contra 4 Pro Action Replay Cheat Codes

If players have an Action Replay device for their Nintendo DS, they can make use of several Pro Action Replay cheats for Contra 4. Alternatively, players using an emulator can enter any of the following cheats in their emulator’s “Cheat” menu.

General Cheats

Challenge Mode Cheats

Character Cheats

Contra 4 Cheat FAQs

How do you get infinite lives in Contra 4?
While there’s no true “infinite” lives cheat, there is a glitch that rewards 99 lives in Contra 4. To get 99 lives, players must earn a 1-Up at the same time they lose a life. Alternatively, players can use the Max Lives and Infinite Continues Pro Action Replay cheats. The Konami Code works in Contra 4, but players use it to upgrade weapons rather than earn extra lives.

What is the best weapon in Contra 4?
While this comes down to preference, fully upgrading the Machine Gun sees it becoming one of the game’s best weapons. With its superior fire rate and the ability to fire two shots simultaneously, the Machine Gun is almost unstoppable at its max level.

How hard is Contra 4?
Again, this is subjective and relies heavily on player experience with the Contra franchise. That said, Contra 4 is, in general, easier than the other mainline games in the series. In Normal mode, the game starts much more forgiving and then ramps up in difficulty toward the end. Hard mode is, as you’d expect, a significant challenge. Similarly, Easy mode is much more forgiving and great for new players.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Contra 4 cover artwork.