'Contra' is back with guns blazing

Another classic video game series has been revived, guns blazing.

Konami's "Contra" franchise began way back in 1987 and has gone through a long and sometimes painful evolution to reach the newest version.

"Contra: Shattered Soldier" for the PlayStation 2 is a solid side-scrolling shooter featuring the series' signature nonstop action and no-brainer blasting.

This version revives Bill Rizer, who saved mankind during the Alien Wars and then killed his partner and became a despised criminal. Sentenced to 10,000 years in a cryogenic prison (honest), he's been thawed out to deal with another alien invasion as only he can.

Konami at one point mulled turning "Contra" into a 3D title, but finally figured out that locking up the nostalgia market by sticking with the classics is best. While Rizer (or cyborg Lucia, a second playable character) can move both vertically or horizontally, there is very little freedom to freelance along the anointed path.

That path is a short one -- just five levels -- although there are alternate endings and other hidden goodies to keep you interested. As in the past, the secret to beating the game is to play over and over (as if you have a choice) until you memorize where and when enemies pop up. You'll be dying often, because every touch of an enemy, every stray bullet, will cost you a life.

There is a training mode. Use it. There is also a two-player mode, which is entertaining, although certainly not up to the standards set by online play.

To counter your enemies, you have access to three weapons -- a machine gun, flame thrower and mine launcher. Each can also be charged into a more powerful weapon if you can spare the time it takes. Any tactics involved in this game revolve around selecting the right weapon for the job at hand. Using the right one makes the game easier, although by no means easy.

Graphics get a B. Plenty of bright colors, nice details and textures make the game fun to look at.

Sound also gets a B. There's an excellent soundtrack of driving rock to keep you moving, and the weapons effects are solid and energizing.

Control is another B. Switching, charging and moving will keep you busy, but "Contra" doesn't require using every finger at once to achieve results.

Give "Contra: Shattered Soldier" a solid B. It's a wild shooter that will appeal to fans who remember the original fondly and to those who love a serious challenge.