Once upon a time, the name Contra meant something. It represented grade-A, top-notch arcade action. It represented some of the best music the NES could produce, and it promised countless hours of excitement and replayability. Contra was a title so good it was worth buying an NES strictly to have it. Over the years, Contra continued to slam dunk titles over and over and over again, across a variety of consoles, ensuring that every fan could join in on the frenetic action. But unlike other famous series from the 80s, Contra fell from grace and has been largely forgotten. Fans still remember the thrills from yesteryear, and new fans discover the excellence of the classic titles, but Contra just hasn’t been the same for many years. Contra’s road has been one paved with precision execution, mind-bogglingly bad moments, a brief return to form, and then the slums of mediocrity. Few legacy series have had such a roller coaster ride as Contra has.
Source：https://www.cbr.com/contra-history-explained/
