Contra Evolution brings '80s shooting back for iOS

Classic side-scrolling shooter Contra is set to launch for iOS on June 27. Contra Evolution is the work of Chinese outfit CocoaChina/Chukong, which released the game in the company's local market earlier this year.

The original Contra was launched by Konami in 1987 as an arcade machine, followed by multiple home console iterations, most notably on NES. Contra Evolution, licensed from Konami, follows the original gameplay with updated graphics, some extra female characters and in-app pay-to-play credits for extended lives.

"We've worked with Konami to replicate the original Contra game as closely as possible," said CocoaChina/Chukong boss Haozhi Chen. "Contra Evolution feels, sounds and plays just like the original." When the game launched in China it jumped straight to the top of the paid-apps iOS games chart.

Contra Evolution will be priced at 99 cents for iPhone and $2.99 for the HD iPad version.