Operation C
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211794849
2008-05-12T03:28:49Z
Spacedog7
3662402
/* Gameplay */ grammar fix
{{Infobox VG
|title = Operation C
|image = [[Image:Operation C Coverart.png]]
|developer = [[Konami]]
|publisher = [[Konami]] (Japan)<br />[[Ultra Games]] (North America)<br />[[Mattel]] (Europe)
|designer = Toru Hagihara, Y. Hayano (programmers)
|engine =
|released = <small><sup>'''[[Japan|JP]]'''</sup></small> [[January 8]], [[1991 in video gaming|1991]]<br /><small><sup>'''[[North America|NA]]'''</sup></small> February, [[1991]]
|genre = [[Run and gun]]
|modes = [[Single player]]
|ratings =
|platforms = [[Game Boy line|Game Boy]]
|media = [[Cartridge (electronics)|Cartridge]]
|requirements =
|input =
}}
'''''Operation C''''', released as {{nihongo|'''''Contra'''''|コントラ|Kontora|}}<ref name=Jpntitle>The game's Japanese title is written in [[kana]], instead of the [[Contra (arcade game)|original game's]] [[ateji]] title of {{nihongo2|魂斗羅}}.</ref> in [[Japan]] and '''''Probotector''''' in [[Europe]] and [[Oceania]], is a [[1991 in video gaming|1991]] [[run and gun]] [[video game|game]] by [[Konami]] produced specifically for the [[Game Boy]]. It is the third game in the [[Contra series|''Contra'' series]], following the original ''[[Contra (arcade game)|Contra]]'' and ''[[Super Contra]]'' (''Super C'') and the first game in the series produced specifically for a portable hardware.
==Plot==
Set after the events of ''[[Super Contra]]'', the plot varies between versions of the game. In the original Japanese plot (the continuity that was later adapted in the English localization of ''[[Contra: Shattered Soldier]]''), an unnamed hostile nation has taken a sample of an alien's cell with the purpose of developing new kinds of [[biological weapon]]s through cloning technology. The Federation's chief gives a confidential order to veteran alien fighter, Bill Rizer, to prevent this plan. In the North American localization, the unnamed hostile nation is replaced by the "Black Viper", an alien entity or organization related to Red Falcon from the previous games. Like ''Contra'' and ''Super C'' before it, the setting was also changed from the 27th century to present time, with the main character now identified as Scorpion (Lance). The plot of the ''Probotector'' version according to the manual and packaging is almost a remake of the first ''Probotector'' for the NES, which in turn was an adaptation of the Japanese plot of the first ''[[Contra (arcade game)|Contra]]''. However, the villain is identified as Black Viper in the Game Boy version of ''Probotector'' as well, rather than Red Falcon.
In the timeline presented in the ''[[Contra 4]]'' manual and official website, the events of ''Operation C'' are depicted as a previous mission of "Mad Dog" and "Scorpion" (the new characters introduced in ''Contra 4'') against the Black Viper organization. The Japanese localization of the game, ''Contra: Dual Spirits'', makes no references to this revision.
==Gameplay==
[[Image:Opc1.png|thumb|left|The playable character launches a three-way spread on an enemy emplacement.]]
The game has a total of five levels, many of which share design similarities to ''Super Contra''. The second and fourth levels are overhead, and the remaining are either side or vertically scrolling. The music, with the exception of a few songs, is mostly remixed from the first ''[[Contra (arcade game)|Contra]]''. ''Operation C'' was the first ''Contra'' game to replace the standard rifle from previous games in favor of the machine gun as the player's default weapon. There are only three power-ups in ''Operation C'', the spread shot and fire gun from ''Super Contra'', and a homing gun introduced in this game. The spread shot starts out as a three way shot, but can be upgraded to a five way after picking it up a second time.
The Japanese version features a stage select feature that allows the player to start the game at any of the first four stages. This feature was made accessible in the ''Operation C'' and ''Probotector'' versions only via the [[Konami Code]]. All versions also have a ten lives code, as well as a sound test code. ''Probotector'' version of the game replaces the human main character with the ''Probotector'' robot RD008, much like the first two NES games in the series.
==Rereleases==
''Operation C'' is included in the Game Boy compilation ''[[Konami GB Collection|Konami GB Collection Vol. 1]]'' released in 1997 in Japan and in 2000 in Europe. The Japanese version is identical to the original release, but with added [[Super Game Boy]] border support. While the version of the game included with the European compilation is titled ''Probotector'', it features the original human character, rather than the robot from the original ''Probotector'' release. It also retains the stage select screen as a default feature.
==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.classicgaming.com/contra/games/opc/opc.htm Operation C @ the Contra HQ]
*[http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hzk/kommander/congbtop.html Game Boy Contra @ Game Kommander]
*{{moby game|id=/operation-c}}
{{contra series}}
[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:Contra]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[ru:Operation C]]
[[zh:魂斗罗 (Game Boy)]]