<p>Markivus Nious from 40 Something Gamers is ready to run and gun through Contra: Hard Corps (Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, 1994) with Mike and Jaymo as part of The Old SwitchAroo’s epic quest to research and review every retro game in Nintendo Switch Online’s Nintendo Classics catalog.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Markivus shares his perspective as a musician on video game music, we discuss how the American version of Contra: Hard Corps was much more difficult than the Japanese version of the game in order to stymie the American rental market, how the Contra franchise turned into Probotector in some parts of Europe, and the way a Castlevania cameo in Contra: Hard Corps stands in between the player and primate romance. We also get a bit more serious with a look at Contra’s roots in the Iran-Contra Affair and how games like Contra relate - or don’t relate - to violence in the real world.</p><p><br></p><p>Thanks for listening, and a very special thanks to Kristal Fields of The Lazy Circles for our catchy theme song! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on <a href="https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com</a>, where you&#39;ll find links to our Discord, social media, and so much more!</p><p><br></p><p>Game on, everyone.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>(0:00) Intro</p><p>(1:10) Welcoming Markivus from 40 Something Gamers</p><p>(5:30) Contra: Hard Corps</p><p>(56:12) NintenDO or NintenDON’T</p><p><br></p><p>Check out Markivus Nious on 40 Something Gamers and his other projects at <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/user/nious-media--8222146" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.spreaker.com/user/nious-media--8222146</a> and on Youtube <a href="https://youtube.com/@markivus" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">@markivus</a>: https://youtube.com/@markivus</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://manuals.sega.com/genesismini/pdf/CONTRA_HARD_CORPS.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Contra Hard Corps manual</a>: https://manuals.sega.com/genesismini/pdf/CONTRA_HARD_CORPS.pdf</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU0s4ItMip8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Strangest Thing Cinematic Instrumental</a> by Markivus Nious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU0s4ItMip8</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5zpRvCwkZ8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Contra: Hard Corps by NickBGoHard in 18:04 - AGDQ2020</a> | Games Done Quick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5zpRvCwkZ8</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJfbfaIhQ-o" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">[ESA Winter 2023] Contra Hard Corps Speedrun in 18:19 (JP Browny - Lab/Surrender route)</a> | Greenalink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJfbfaIhQ-o</p><p><a href="https://shmuplations.com/contrahc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Contra: Hard Corps – 1994 Developer Commentary</a> | BEEP! Mega Drive, October 1994 via shmuplations: https://shmuplations.com/contrahc/</p>