What is the best game similar to Super Contra?

The closest game to Super Contra is Metal Slug 3, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, shooter and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Super Contra?

The three closest games to Super Contra are: 1. Metal Slug 3 (97/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Gunstar Heroes (95/100, 7 shared attributes) 3. New Super Mario Bros. (92/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Super Contra's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 8 dimensions.

Is Gunstar Heroes similar to Super Contra?

Yes, very much so — Gunstar Heroes scores 95/100 similarity to Super Contra. They share 7 attributes, including precision platforming and shooter. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Platformer games are similar to Super Contra?

The best Platformer games similar to Super Contra are Metal Slug 3, Gunstar Heroes, New Super Mario Bros. and LittleBigPlanet. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Super Contra attributes like precision platforming, shooter and single-player focus.

How is similarity to Super Contra calculated?

We compare Super Contra against every game in our catalog using 8 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Super Contra experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like Super Contra that you should try

Games like Super Contra · Find similar →

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If Super Contra left you wanting more, this list of 50 similar games is for you. Each one shares part of its essence — precision platforming, setting scifi and single-player focus — and is ranked by a similarity score computed across 8 attributes. Metal Slug 3 comes closest (97/100).

iRank66/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Top games similar to Super Contra

50 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Super Contra. Each one has been evaluated across 8 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Metal Slug 3

iRank82

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSci-Fi2D

IGDB82· 6

Year 2000Dev SNK · D4 EnterpriseOn Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, shooter and setting scifi

≠ Where it differs: brings dark, oppressive atmosphere, melee combat and visual pixel, while skipping visual isometric

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Co-opSoloMultiplayerSci-Fi2D

Steam👍 94%· 16IGDB60· 1

Year 1993Dev Treasure · Tec ToyOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · Android

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, shooter and setting scifi

≠ Where it differs: brings melee combat, combat tactical and offline, while skipping visual isometric

Details →

Steam

#3New Super Mario Bros.

iRank95

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DMelee

IGDB95· 2

Year 2006Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DSandbox World

IGDB96· 9

Year 2008Dev Media Molecule · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and fantasy world, while skipping shooter

Details →

#5Super Mario Bros. Wonder

iRank93

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DCasual

IGDB95· 7OC91· 150

Year 2023Dev Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 10 · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual and fantasy world, while skipping shooter

Details →

Nintendo

#6Sonic the Hedgehog 2

iRank87

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSci-Fi2D

Steam👍 86%· 37IGDB90· 2

Year 1992Dev Sega Technical Institute · SegaOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, setting scifi and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, melee combat and offline, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam Nintendo

#7Donkey Kong Country Returns

iRank86

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB86· 7

Year 2010Dev Retro Studios · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: shooter.

Details →

Nintendo

#8Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

iRank85

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB86· 12OC84· 138

Year 2014Dev Retro Studios · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: shooter.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB85· 4

Year 2010Dev Good-Feel · Nintendo

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

Details →

Nintendo

#10Spelunky 2

iRank87

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSci-Fi2D

IGDB87· 10OC88· 69

Year 2020Dev BlitWorks · MossmouthOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, setting scifi and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, roguelike runs and procedural generation, while skipping shooter

Details →

PS Nintendo

#11New Super Mario Bros. Wii

iRank81

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB81· 4

Year 2009Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

Details →

#12Sonic Mania

iRank90

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2DOffline

Steam👍 94%· 28KIGDB85· 16OC87· 126

Year 2017Dev Headcannon · SegaOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, vibe casual and melee combat, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#13New Super Mario Bros. U

iRank80

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB80· 9

Year 2012Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerCo-opSolo2DOffline

Steam👍 89%· 1.4K

Year 1998Dev DotEmu · SNK PlaymoreOn PlayStation 3 · Android · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, shooter and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, first-person shooting and melee combat, while skipping setting scifi

Details →

Steam GOG

#15Donkey Kong Country

iRank80

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-op2D

IGDB80· 1

Year 1994Dev Rare · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: shooter.

Details →

Nintendo

Complete list of Super Contra alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Super Contra, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

LittleBigPlanet 3

Platformer · Adventure

New Super Mario Bros. 2

Platformer · Adventure

Yoshi's Woolly World

Platformer

Rayman Origins

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic Rush

Platformer

Spiritfarer

Platformer · Adventure

Kirby's Return to Dream Land

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic Colors

Platformer · Adventure

Super Mario Maker 2

Platformer

Sonic Advance 2

Platformer · Adventure

Trials Evolution

Platformer · Racing

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Platformer

Yoshi's Crafted World

Platformer

Sonic Forces

Platformer · Adventure

Trials Rising

Platformer · Racing

Kirby: Planet Robobot

Platformer · Adventure

Contra: Hard Corps

Platformer · Shooter

King Arthur's Gold

Platformer · Sandbox

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic Advance

Platformer

Kirby Super Star Ultra

Platformer · Adventure

Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Platformer · Shooter

Disney's Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers

Platformer · Adventure

Disney's Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2

Platformer · Adventure

Mario Bros.

Platformer

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

Platformer

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic & Knuckles

Platformer

Metal Slug 5

Platformer · Shooter

Wannabe Galgame God!!!

Platformer · Adventure

Ice Climber

Platformer

Kirby's Dream Land 3

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Platformer · Adventure

Doodle Jump

Platformer · Survival

Frogger

Platformer · Survival

Explore games similar to Super Contra by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best 2D Platformer Games Best Platformer Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Super Contra?: The closest game to Super Contra is Metal Slug 3, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, shooter and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Super Contra?: The three closest games to Super Contra are: 1. Metal Slug 3 (97/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Gunstar Heroes (95/100, 7 shared attributes) 3. New Super Mario Bros. (92/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Super Contra's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 8 dimensions.
Is Gunstar Heroes similar to Super Contra?: Yes, very much so — Gunstar Heroes scores 95/100 similarity to Super Contra. They share 7 attributes, including precision platforming and shooter. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Platformer games are similar to Super Contra?: The best Platformer games similar to Super Contra are Metal Slug 3, Gunstar Heroes, New Super Mario Bros. and LittleBigPlanet. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Super Contra attributes like precision platforming, shooter and single-player focus.
How is similarity to Super Contra calculated?: We compare Super Contra against every game in our catalog using 8 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Super Contra experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.