Released on March 12, 2024, Contra: Operation Galuga is developer WayForward’s second Contra game and a remake/reimagining of the original 1988 Contra as well as a soft reboot of the franchise. Notably, Operation Galuga follows the same basic plot and premise as the original Contra but embellishes certain aspects to bring it more in line with a modern title, sharing several similarities with WayForward’s previous tenure with the series on Contra 4 for the Nintendo DS. Following an initial demo released on February 21, 2024, Operation Galuga would arrive on all major consoles and PC via Steam.
Despite some mixed reviews from critics (including a fairly middling 72% positive review aggregate score) Contra: Operation Galuga seems to have landed successfully with longtime series fans. The title currently holds an impressive 88% “Very Positive” user review average on Steam and has sold well for Konami, acting as one of the main pillars of the company’s ongoing reentry into the AAA gaming space.
Contra: Operation Galuga Premise
©Contra: Operation Galuga gameplay screenshot – Original
When the Red Falcon paramilitary organization invades and unlawfully seizes control of the Galuga archipelago, the Earth Marine Corps (EMC) dispatches its highly skilled Contra unit to assess the situation and root out the terrorists. As Contra unit superstars Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, players initially fight against the Red Falcon group before discovering that the Galuga Archipelago holds a mysterious conduit to extradimensional alien beings intent on colonizing planet Earth. Aside from introducing new side characters and content that explicitly connects the events of Operation Galuga to Contra III on the SNES, Contra: Operation Galuga shares the same premise as the original NES Contra.
When it comes to Operation Galuga‘s gameplay, however, several changes distinguish this remake from its source material, 1988’s Contra on the NES. Contra: Operation Galuga consists of 8 stages that players must complete, each of which houses mid- and end-of-stage bosses and regular enemies. The title utilizes traditional run n’ gun gameplay but also offers some new quality-of-life enhancements such as the ability to Overload weapons for special attacks or healing (sacrificing a weapon power-up in the process), as well as various Perks players can unlock that transform gameplay and tailor it to players’ preferences. Each playable character has a unique ability they can use in combat, with default heroes Bill and Lance having a dash and double jump, respectively.
Contra: Operation Galuga Main Characters
©Contra: Operation Galuga character artwork – Original
In the year 26XX AD, the Galulga archipelago off the coast of New Zealand is host to a strange meteor shower. This event serves as the precipitating factor for the Red Falcon paramilitary organization to invade and seize control of the island, prompting the Earth Marine Corps to send in its two best soldiers — Bill Rizer and Lance Bean. These two heroes are the star operatives of the Contra unit, a special covert ops squadron of highly-trained soldiers. Joining Bill and Lance are other members of the Contra unit, as well as Galuga native Ariana. Main characters in Contra: Operation Galuga include:
- Bill Rizer: One of the two main heroes in the Contra series. Bill Rizer is the field commander of the Contra unit and one of two default playable characters.
- Lance Bean: One of the two main heroes in the Contra series. Lance Bean is Bill Rizer’s longtime partner and one of the two default playable characters.
- Ariana: Araian is a native of the Galuga archipelago who joins Bill and Lance to stop the Red Falcon group. She becomes a playable character partway through the game.
Games in the Contra Series
Konami’s Contra ranks among the company’s most important and foundational franchises. The original would be released in arcades in 1987 before quickly making its way to the NES. That NES port would serve as an introduction to the series for many players and would be one of the most popular and iconic titles in the system’s library. The first 16-bit game in the series, Contra III, would end up being one of the more successful games in the early crop of SNES titles, along with other Konami games like Super Castlevania IV and Gradius III. Though the Contra series has dabbled with 3D entries, the best games in the franchise stick to the 2D, side-scrolling run n’ gun action that players associate with the Contra name. 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: Operation Galuga Cheats & Secrets
Like many other games in the Contra series, Contra: Operation Galuga features a small selection of official cheats and several unlockables for players to earn through gameplay. Additionally, the PC version of the game is compatible with several different third-party cheat engines and cheat trainer files that allow the player to mod the game to their liking.
Contra: Operation Galuga Cheats
The Konami Code
The classic “Konami Code” makes a return in Contra: Operation Galuga. Players can enter the code on the game’s opening screen using specific button inputs dependent on their platform of choice. After entering the code successfully, you will hear a sound effect as well as trigger an achievement on the initial use of the code. Using the Konami Code unlocks the following bonuses:
- 30 Lives
- Stage Select Mode
- 30 Lives Medal (7,500 Credits to permanently unlock)
Use the following guide for the correct button inputs for the Konami Code based on your platform of choice:
| Platform | Konami Code |
|---|---|
| PC | Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, [Escape], [Enter] |
| PS4/PS5 | Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Square, X |
| Nintendo Switch | Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A |
| Xbox One/Series X/S | Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A |
Contra: Operation Galuga Unlockables
The Perk Shop in Contra: Operation Galuga features several bonuses that players can earn after meeting certain in-game milestones. Note that it will still be necessary to earn the requisite Perk Points/Credits to unlock these Perks after unlocking them for purchase.
| Perk | Effect | Cost | How to Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Fang | Unlocks Brad in Arcade Mode | 8000 | Complete Story mode after saving Bradley in Stage 7 |
| Sheena Etranzi | Unlocks Sheena in Arcade Mode | 8000 | Complete Story mode after saving Bradley in Stage 7 |
| Browny | Unlocks Browny in Arcade Mode | 8000 | Complete Story mode after saving Bradley in Stage 7 |
| Bill’s Spirit | Invincible during Dash (Bill only) | 500 | Available by default |
| Lance’s Spirit | Increased Double Jump height (Lance only) | 500 | Available by default |
| Probo Spirit α | Enables Grapple (Probotector only) | 500 | Available by default |
| Probo Spirit β | Enables Hoever (Probotector only) | 500 | Available by default |
| Ariana’s Spirit | Increase Slide distance (Ariana only) | 500 | Complete Stage 3 |
| Lucia’s Spirit | Invincible during Grapple (Lucia only) | 500 | Complete Stage 4 |
| Stanley’s Spirit | Increase Hover duration (Stanley only) | 500 | Complete Stage 7 |
| Brad’s Spirit | Increase claw attack range (Brad only) | 500 | Unlock Brad perk |
| Sheena’s Spirit | Invincible during Dive Kick (Sheena only) | 500 | Unlock Sheena perk |
| Browny’s Spirit | Overloads trigger with no delay (Browny only) | 500 | Unlock Browny perk |
| Barrier | Increase invulnerability after respawn | 200 | Available by default |
| Wpn Retention | Retain weapons after death | 1000 | Available by default |
| Wpn Durability | Take damage without losing weapon level | 1000 | Available by default |
| Auto Level-Up | Weapons start at Lvl 2 | 1000 | Available by default |
| Auto-M | Start with the Machine Gun | 200 | Available by default |
| Auto-S | Start with the Spread Gun | 200 | Available by default |
| Auto-F | Start with the Flamethrower | 200 | Available by default |
| Auto-H | Start with the Homing Missiles | 200 | Available by default |
| Auto-L | Start with the Laser | 200 | Available by default |
| Auto-C | Start with the Crush Gun | 200 | Available by default |
| Mercy Pod | Bonus Pod instantly fills upon death | 1000 | Available by default |
| Overload Heal | Overload restores 1 HP | 1000 | Available by default |
| Lvl 2 Overload | Enables Lvl 2 Overload | 1000 | Available by default |
| Stock EX | Increase starting lives | 500 | Available by default |
| Stock EX 2 | Further increase starting lives | 1000 | Purchase Stock EX |
| HP Boost | Increase HP by 1 point | 500 | Available by default |
| HP Boost+ | Increase HP by 2 points | 1000 | Purchase HP Boost |
| Konami Code | 30 lives | 7500 | Enter the Konami Code on the title screen |
| Speed Run Mode | Adds a timer to the HUD | 15000 | Complete Story/Arcade on any difficulty |
| Extreme Mode | Additional difficulty mode | 10000 | Complete Story/Arcade on Hard difficulty |
| Extreme Ultra Mode | Ultimate difficulty | 20000 | Purchase Extreme Mode |
| Retro Mix | BGM from NES Contra | 5000 | Complete Story/Arcade on any difficulty |
| Retro Remix | BGM inspired by NES Contra | 5000 | Complete Story/Arcade on any difficulty |
| Vania Mix | BGM from Castlevania | 5000 | Complete Story/Arcade on any difficulty |
| Konamix | BGM from various Konami 8-bit classics | 5000 | Complete Story/Arcade on any difficulty |
| WayForward Mix | BGM from Contra 4 | 5000 | Complete Story/Arcade on any difficulty |
Contra: Operation Galuga Cheat Engine Cheats (PC Only)
PC players have the option of using third-party cheat engines and cheat trainer files when playing Contra: Operation Galuga. One such trainer file can be found here and contains the following options:
- Invincibility
- Infinite Health
- Set Player Speed
- Set Player Jump Height
- Add 10 Lives
- Subtract 10 Lives
- Infinite Credits
- One-Hit Kills
Contra: Operation Galuga Achievements/Trophies
Completing the following in-game tasks will unlock the corresponding achievement/trophy.
| Achievement/Trophy | Description |
|---|---|
| Ran & Gunned | Unlock all Trophies (PlayStation-exclusive) |
| A Warm Gun | Stack a weapon to Level 2 |
| New Hotness | Overload a weapon |
| Locked & Overloaded | Overload each weapon type once |
| Overloaded for Bear | Overload all weapons once |
| Contra Rebirth | Earn an Extra Life |
| Consider Yourself a Hero | Complete Arcade Mode |
| Hard Corps | Complete Arcade Mode without Perks |
| Shattered Soldier | Complete Arcade Mode in 1-Hit Kill Mode |
| Infiltration | Complete Stage 1 (Story Mode) |
| Valuable Intel | Complete Stage 2 (Story Mode) |
| A New Ally? | Complete Stage 3 (Story Mode) |
| Desperate Plan | Complete Stage 4 (Story Mode) |
| Confronting Fate | Complete Stage 5 (Story Mode) |
| Lost Cause | Complete Stage 6 (Story Mode) |
| At Evil’s Doorstep | Complete Stage 7 (Story Mode) |
| Earth is Saved | Complete Stage 8 (Story Mode) |
| DNA Crisis | Discover Bradley’s fate |
| Demolition Fan | Defeat the Stage 1 boss without dying |
| Mangled Mutant | Defeat the Stage 2 boss without dying |
| Welcome to Earth | Defeat the Stage 3 boss without dying |
| Cardiac Arrest | Defeat the Stage 4 boss without dying |
| Caterpiercer | Defeat the Stage 5 boss without dying |
| Cheesed It! | Defeat the Stage 6 boss without dying |
| Face, Offed | Defeat the Stage 7 boss without dying |
| Bad Kaiju | Defeat the Stage 8 boss without dying |
| Attack Aggressively | Defeat a boss in Arcade Mode without taking damage |
| Guerilla Tactics | Purchase anything from the Perk Shop |
| It’s Time for Reverb | Purchase an alternate soundtrack |
| Contra Force | Purchase a player character |
| Get All Gear | Purchase everything from the Perk Shop |
| Legacy of Score | Earn 350,000 points in one playthrough |
| Bury Me With My Money | Earn 40,000 Contra Coins |
| Rocket Fight | Beat the game in under 59:59 |
| Gryzor Noob | Complete a Challenge in Challenge Mode |
| Hardcore Uprising | Complete 10 Challenges in Challenge Mode |
| Ganbare! Go, Man! | Complete 20 Challenges in Challenge Mode |
| Vandal Heart | Steal a life in Multiplayer |
| Team Spirits | Have a life stolen in Multiplayer |
| Vile Alien War Mongers | Defeat 10,000 enemies |
| Violent Bill | Defeat 20,000 enemies |
| You Remembered | Input the Konami Code |
Contra: Operation Galuga Cheat FAQs
Does the Konami Code work in Operation Galuga?
Yes, the classic Konami Code makes a return in Contra: Operation Galuga as the game’s sole official cheat code. Players can enter this code at the game’s opening screen to unlock additional lives, a stage select mode and the option to purchase a permanent upgrade that keeps these features unlocked for subsequent playthroughs. Note that the button sequence to enter the code will differ depending on your platform, but the game will unlock an achievement if entered correctly.
How do you earn more credits in Contra: Operation Galuga?
Credits are the primary currency players will use to unlock additional characters, upgrades, and other bonuses in the Perk Shop. Players will passively earn credits as they play through Contra: Operation Galuga in any mode (Story, Arcade, and Challenge Modes) by doing any of the following in-game actions:
- Killing enemies
- Advancing to a new stage
- Collecting a weapon
- Upgrading a weapon
- Using Overload on a weapon
- Earning enough points for an Extra Life
- Defeating a boss
If you find yourself short on points and need to purchase a particular upgrade, it’s possible to replay some of the earlier stages in the game to quickly stack Credits.
Is Contra: Operation Galuga a remake?
Yes, Contra: Operation Galuga is a remake of the original Contra for Arcades and NES. However, the game does introduce a slew of new content and significantly alters the story to set up the events of Contra III: The Alien Wars. The game’s title is even a play on words, with “Operation Galuga” abbreviated to OG, as in, the original Contra. Though Contra: Operation Galuga is technically a remake or reimagining of the original Contra, it can also be considered a reboot of sorts for the series.
How long to beat Contra: Operation Galuga?
A single playthrough of Contra: Operation Galuga will take players a bit longer than most other 2D Contra titles, with most players reporting roughly 2-3 hours completion time. To collect everything in the Perk Shop and unlock all achievements/trophies, players can expect to spend more than double that amount of time. Most players who 100% complete Contra: Operation Galuga spend about 8-10 hours.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Contra: Operation Galuga key art.