75
While Contra: Shattered Soldier is a short game, fans of the original will eat it up. It’s also a game for anyone looking for a challenge.
83
Adding lots of enemies and huge bosses only makes the game more frustrating. Expect veins to pop out of your cranium, and a few broken controllers. Although I did have a tough time getting through the missions, I did have fun.
80
Make no mistake, you will die like a fly playing this game, very early and very often. But the pattern design is good enough that skill and perceptive analysis offers the possibility of mastery for dedicated players.
8
One of the better "Contra" entries in the series. Like the "Shinobi" and "Rygar" reboots from 2002, this is a PlayStation 2 exclusive. But unlike previous "Contra" games, this entry emphasizes boss fights over normal enemies. Overall, "Soldier" is a slick, tough shooter that looks great and is best played with a co-op partner. I'd rate it with an 8 out of 10.
8
This is a good "Contra" game that will appeal to hardcore fans. It looks and plays great, but the emphasis on boss fights is unfortunate. Sadly, the classic weapons and power ups from previous entries are not featured. Players are equipped with ONLY three different weapons throughout the entire game. In addition, you're only given a few lives and continues. There are no saves allowed. This is a slick, but tough game. Expect a lot of trial-and-error. Victory depends on memorization and timing. Overall, I would rate this with an 8 out of 10.
7
**** Solider is a good Contra game, but not one of the best. It looks and plays great, but there is too much emphasis on difficult boss fights. Unfortunately, all the classic weapons and power ups of the series do not appear here. You're equipped with only three weapons throughout the entire game. Continuing the old tradition, you get a few lives and continues and no saves. This is a tough Contra. Victory depends on learning enemy attack patterns and their weaknesses. I would rate this with a 7.8 out of 10.
Contra: Shattered Soldier
PlayStation 2
Released On:
Oct 22, 2002
Metascore
Generally Favorable
78
User score
Generally Favorable
8.8
My Score
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All Platforms
Metascore
Generally Favorable
73% Positive
24 Reviews
24 Reviews
24% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
90
After numerous shoddy attempts to bring classic Contra gameplay to a next-gen system, Konami finally gets it right. [Feb 2003, p.92]
86
I really enjoyed Shattered Soldier and I highly recommend that you grab a best friend and tear through this game some Friday night.
User score
Generally Favorable
79% Positive
22 Ratings
22 Ratings
21% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Jan 29, 2021
10
Well... this maybe the HARDEST PS2 GAME I've ever played... and IT'S AWESOME.
The graphics are in 3D and they look soooo good, the sounds are more "realistic" so they match with the graphics and the aesthetics, and the music... HOO BOY, THE MUSIC OF THIS CONTRA, I DARE TO SAY IT'S THE BEST! Composed by Akira Yamaoka, the composer from Silent Hill!
Now, the game is HARD, like, REALLY HARD, but with time you will master it, since its patterns are always the same... but that doesn't mean they are easy. Just master your weapons (Machine Gun, Flamethrower, Grenades and their special shots) and you will triumph.
The only thing I don't really like, is... the bosses, TOO MANY BOSSES.
Leaving everything aside, this is a REALLY HARD GAME, but a the same a REALLY GOOD ONE.
If you can't handle it... it's your problem, and don't go b*****n' because you can't pass the first stage.
Aug 13, 2025
8
One of the better "Contra" entries in the series. Like the "Shinobi" and "Rygar" reboots from 2002, this is a PlayStation 2 exclusive. But unlike previous "Contra" games, this entry emphasizes boss fights over normal enemies. Overall, "Soldier" is a slick, tough shooter that looks great and is best played with a co-op partner. I'd rate it with an 8 out of 10.
82
Does a lot of things right, but sadly it is mainly for the purest of pure hardcore gamers, as Shattered Soldier’s steep learning curve and INCREDIBLY difficult gameplay, this probably will not please a mainstream gamer too much.
76
Die-hard Contra fans hoping for a pure Contra remake may find themselves a little disappointed that, for all its similarity to its classic predecessors, Contra: Shattered Soldier takes a few too many liberties.
75
A mind-bendingly tough game that you simply cannot put down.
70
I felt there was entirely too many bosses to fight and not nearly enough run and gun action. Each short action stage is merely setting you up for another boss battle.
40
Anybody who remembers the good old days of Contra should steer clear of Shattered Soldier, unless you have some sort of sadistic urge to lay waste to your senses and pollute your fond recollections of this once proud series.
Mar 30, 2024
8
This is a good "Contra" game that will appeal to hardcore fans. It looks and plays great, but the emphasis on boss fights is unfortunate. Sadly, the classic weapons and power ups from previous entries are not featured. Players are equipped with ONLY three different weapons throughout the entire game. In addition, you're only given a few lives and continues. There are no saves allowed. This is a slick, but tough game. Expect a lot of trial-and-error. Victory depends on memorization and timing. Overall, I would rate this with an 8 out of 10.
Apr 27, 2023
7
**** Solider is a good Contra game, but not one of the best. It looks and plays great, but there is too much emphasis on difficult boss fights. Unfortunately, all the classic weapons and power ups of the series do not appear here. You're equipped with only three weapons throughout the entire game. Continuing the old tradition, you get a few lives and continues and no saves. This is a tough Contra. Victory depends on learning enemy attack patterns and their weaknesses. I would rate this with a 7.8 out of 10.
Aug 18, 2019
7
Why didn't I know about this game until now?? Yeah, it's definitely Contra... mostly. Where else could you do multiple flips while firing straight ahead? It's very "pick up n play," the action is excellent and there is more shooting control than ever. The graphics are beautiful since most of it is 2-D side-scrolling. On the minus side, you may or may not love the absence of traditional upgrades. No more spread shot for you. The new weapon system isn't bad, but it's not quite Contra-y enough. Also, it's a little too light on non-mini-boss action... it could have used more running and gunning. Overall, it's a fun action side-scroller on its own, but for Contra fans, it's equal parts "hey I remember this!" and "this feels kinda weird."
SummaryAll of the legendary action and adrenaline of the famed Contra series comes to the PS2. Massive, screen-filling boss characters, a Contra series staple, do everything they can to keep players from proceeding through the multiple action-packed missions, while environmental threats such as swarms of bugs, aggressive enemies and alien encou... Read More
Rated Tfor Teen
