True to the early 90's of gaming, but better suited to the arcades. Pick it up cheap and enjoy it for what it is.
Neo Contra's visuals and absolutely rocking soundtrack are a kick in the teeth from the very opening to the end, in a good way. Recognizing part of the greatness of classics like Contra III was their over the top fun, Neo Contra goes all out. When you enter a stage by being shot in a missile from space, straight through a building, only to somersault out of the smoldering crater... I think the point is well made that you're a badass.
Neo Contra certainly has the style of Contra III down to a fine art. It has nearly everything you'd expect from a modern sequel, I nearly want to say remake, only louder and infinitely more detailed. The controls are uncomplicated and the game flows well, letting the eye candy and soundtrack take center stage. I say it's nearly a remake because several of the scenario's will feel very familiar. Urban cities, alien hives, cyborgs, insane flight battles, monsters crawling up the sides of walls after you, run and gun street battles, it's all here.
With so much right, the main problem is that the game is every bit as shallow as those from so long ago. There's really nothing below the flashy action, and the game can be completed in a single sitting. It's over so fast it's silly, even the few unlockable levels barely add more than a few hours if you consider yourself elite. If this was a $20 budget title, I wouldn't mind. But considering it's currently retailing at full price, it's far more than this quick but thrilling trip is worth.
If Neo Contra has one fault, I believe it's that it's too true to the early 90's of gaming. While I adore old school gaming as much today as I did way back when, as gamers we expect far more from our games today. Neo Contra ultimately ends up being flashy, loud, fast, but lacking in stamina. It would be far better suited to the arcades of old than today's consoles. Wait until you can pick it up cheap.