Probotector (Europe) is the localized version of Konami’s legendary run-and-gun shooter Contra, released for the NES in 1990. Modified to comply with strict censorship laws in regions like Germany, the game replaces the original human commandos and alien enemies with heavily armed robots. Despite the aesthetic changes, it retains the precise platforming, punishing difficulty, and iconic co-op action that made the original an absolute classic.
Fight through various side-scrolling and pseudo-3D levels to stop the rogue robot forces. Use the arrow keys to move, aim in eight directions, and crouch. Press X to jump and Z to fire your weapon. You can hold the fire button for rapid fire with certain weapons, and pressing Down + X allows you to drop through specific platforms. Use Enter to start the game or pause.
Tips for Probotector
- The Spread Gun (marked with an “S”) is by far the best weapon in the game, covering a massive portion of the screen and dealing high damage up close. Prioritize keeping it safe.
- When jumping, your character curls into a tight spin, making your hitbox significantly smaller and allowing you to evade projectiles more easily.
- In the pseudo-3D base stages, focus on destroying the core at the back of the room; the constantly spawning enemies are infinite until the barrier is breached.
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