Contra (arcade port on XBLA)

2014-01-16 01:42:43 am

Goatragon!

Quietly started this a long while ago, then just recently picked it up again after gaining some motivation during AGDQ 2014. I'm currently working on Any% for normal (default/1) difficulty and plan on moving on to hardest (4) once I'm done with normal.

Before I started my runs on Wednesday night the fastest time I was aware of for Any% normal was 5:13 (at heart kill). That translates out to a 5:28 by SDA timing, since for some odd reason you keep control until the screen has completely faded out, which takes ~15 seconds.

I had two faster runs during my stream, a 5:18 (5:03 heart kill), then later a 5:10 (4:55 heart kill): http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3557018

Something I did differently, though, was that didn't use the enhanced graphics like the other run did. I timed it out a little and it doesn't appear that enhanced vs. original is anything more than cosmetic, but if anyone knows differently, please let me know.

In any case, the run can still be improved by quite a bit, mainly by not dying, but there are quite a few other things as well. I'm pretty sure I can get the run sub-5, which is my goal before I begin working on Hardest.

Thread title:

Quietly started this a long while ago, then just recently picked it up again after gaining some motivation during AGDQ 2014.  I'm currently working on Any% for normal (default/1) difficulty and plan on moving on to hardest (4) once I'm done with normal.

Before I started my runs on Wednesday night the fastest time I was aware of for Any% normal was 5:13 (at heart kill).  That translates out to a 5:28 by SDA timing, since for some odd reason you keep control until the screen has completely faded out, which takes ~15 seconds.

I had two faster runs during my stream, a 5:18 (5:03 heart kill), then later a 5:10 (4:55 heart kill):  http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3557018

Something I did differently, though, was that didn't use the enhanced graphics like the other run did.  I timed it out a little and it doesn't appear that enhanced vs. original is anything more than cosmetic, but if anyone knows differently, please let me know.

In any case, the run can still be improved by quite a bit, mainly by not dying, but there are quite a few other things as well.  I'm pretty sure I can get the run sub-5, which is my goal before I begin working on Hardest.

sinister1

2014-01-16 07:41:39 am

sinister1

so pro u don't even know

Laser too strong. Good luck on sub 5.

Hurblat

2014-01-16 09:18:17 am

Nice to see some interest in this game! Mr. K and I did some routing for a co-op run last year, so I have some ideas on how a 1-player run could look.
Mr. K will have more input for you Smiley

- On the base 1 boss, you don't have to run over to the side after the first jump while shooting the eye. Try using a couple of diagonal shots.
- You can skip the disc-throwing guys by running under them when they jump.

ZakkyTheHybrid

2014-01-16 11:44:44 am

Goatragon!

Quote from sinister1:

Laser too strong. Good luck on sub 5.

Thanks!

Quote from Hurblat:

- On the base 1 boss, you don't have to run over to the side after the first jump while shooting the eye. Try using a couple of diagonal shots.

That makes sense and I'm pretty sure I tried that at some point and just had a problem with the aiming. I have a better idea of how to at least try and aim now, so I'll have to give it another try.

Quote from Hurblat:

You can skip the disc-throwing guys by running under them when they jump.

This makes me nervous, but I definitely have to go for it. Mr. K suggested this to me, too.

Thanks for the advice!

Working DK

2014-01-16 03:28:40 pm

Watching with interest from the edge of my seat. This is definitely missing from the SDA game list...

Deuceler

2014-01-16 06:19:35 pm

SPEEDruns not SAFEruns

Also watching this run - great stuff Zakky!

nik

2014-01-17 03:00:21 pm

Did i misplace my sexy? I think not

Nice run. I feel like there should be more glitches that can optimize this run though.

PJ

2014-01-17 03:25:13 pm

Is PJ

A Contra game where laser is superior? Color me interested.

I had a blast watching this run. I really don't like this game, as I mentioned to you in person, just because of the jumping mechanics. However, seeing it run competently is really entertaining. Good luck on sub-5!

Working DK

2014-01-17 05:14:51 pm

C'mon PJ, this is right up your alley. Tongue

And Laser was always meant to be superior, but Spread is so broken on NES.

But yes, the jump in this version is completely out of control...

ZakkyTheHybrid

2014-01-24 01:04:04 am

Goatragon!

Thanks everyone. And yeah, the jumping...

Anyway, improved my best time on Normal Any% to 5:03 and had a deathless run.
http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3601414

Then I had a mind cramp and formatted the disc instead of finalizing it. I wasn't going to submit this run as I want to at least get sub-5, but that was a bit painful, anyway.

I do have a question about the disc guys, though, for anyone who might be able to help. Is there any way to manipulate them into jumping right away so you can run under? I've had the first one jump toward me, but that's not high enough for me not to get killed while attempting to run under.

sinister1

2014-01-24 11:44:25 am

sinister1

so pro u don't even know

Quote from ZakkyDraggy:

Thanks everyone. And yeah, the jumping...

Anyway, improved my best time on Normal Any% to 5:03 and had a deathless run.
http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3601414

Then I had a mind cramp and formatted the disc instead of finalizing it.

Nice run!

I have totally done that accidental reformatting too, it sucks. Had to redo submittable stuff.

ZakkyTheHybrid

2014-01-25 04:35:28 pm

Goatragon!

Quote from sinister1:

Nice run!

I have totally done that accidental reformatting too, it sucks. Had to redo submittable stuff.

Thanks! I think I just need to put that behind me now so I'm not putting extra pressure on myself to get a run just so I can have a recorded PB.

Also, streamed a co-op session with Mr. K this afternoon.
http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3609684

The jumping and the aiming in one-player was already such a fun thing, but it's nothing compared to co-op.

How about some invisible ceilings?
http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3609773

or the game arbitrarily deciding you're at the wrong elevator when every other time it's been the right one?
http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3609862

Even despite everything the game dishes out in co-op, it looks like it could still be faster than a one-player run, so I'm really curious to find out by just how much. And in spite of the game, Mr. K and I made pretty good progress in just a few hours.

Deuceler

2014-01-25 06:53:12 pm

SPEEDruns not SAFEruns

The runs with Mayor K were amazing, glad to see you sticking with this Zakky!

ZakkyTheHybrid

2014-01-25 08:32:49 pm

Goatragon!

5:03, again

http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3611032

And I hit finalize this time.

ZakkyTheHybrid

Edit history:

ZakkyTheHybrid: 2014-01-27 01:46:36 am

2014-01-27 01:45:26 am

Goatragon!

Sorry for the double-post.

I've improved on my time, albeit by just 1 second (5:02). Didn't quite end up being a deathless run, but fortunately the death was rather well-timed and didn't cost me. Also note that my splits didn't stop when they should have, but the credits started at 5:02.10 on the timer.
http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3618173

I found a slightly more efficient way to deal with Waterfall's "boss" and I was able to destroy the last core in Base 2 without destroying the box. It took me three shots to destroy the core as I missed with one, but it's still one less shot than destroying the box and then the core. I'm able to be fairly consistent with the "over the box" strat, as I'm calling it, and it can save at least another second or two if I don't miss any shots, so I'm going for it every run now.

I'm still looking for that 2-cycle Base 2 boss kill, which would shave off another 4-5 seconds, but I can still get sub-5 even without that.

Speaking of which, I got really lucky in this run on that Base 2 boss as I failed to kill both gunner enemies, missing shots on both and being unable to attack either sensor on the first cycle. However, luckily, a stray shot I was attempting to kill a gunner with, hit one of the sensors on the first cycle and allowed me to still get a 3-cycle kill.

I'm in a pretty good groove right now, so I'll be keeping up with the attempts everyday until I get it!

Also, thanks Deuceler! Did see your comment before, but I made that last post in a bit of a hurry and I didn't think about it until a little bit later.

Sorry for the double-post.

I've improved on my time, albeit by just 1 second (5:02).  Didn't quite end up being a deathless run, but fortunately the death was rather well-timed and didn't cost me.  Also note that my splits didn't stop when they should have, but the credits started at 5:02.10 on the timer.
http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3618173

I found a slightly more efficient way to deal with Waterfall's "boss" and I was able to destroy the last core in Base 2 without destroying the box.  It took me three shots to destroy the core as I missed with one, but it's still one less shot than destroying the box and then the core.  I'm able to be fairly consistent with the "over the box" strat, as I'm calling it, and it can save at least another second or two if I don't miss any shots, so I'm going for it every run now.

I'm still looking for that 2-cycle Base 2 boss kill, which would shave off another 4-5 seconds, but I can still get sub-5 even without that.

Speaking of which, I got really lucky in this run on that Base 2 boss as I failed to kill both gunner enemies, missing shots on both and being unable to attack either sensor on the first cycle.  However, luckily, a stray shot I was attempting to kill a gunner with, hit one of the sensors on the first cycle and allowed me to still get a 3-cycle kill.

I'm in a pretty good groove right now, so I'll be keeping up with the attempts everyday until I get it!

Also, thanks Deuceler!  Did see your comment before, but I made that last post in a bit of a hurry and I didn't think about it until a little bit later.

ZakkyTheHybrid

2014-01-31 12:16:52 am

Goatragon!

Still trying to get sub-5, but getting closer. If I can get this (http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3640184) to happen more often, it shouldn't take long.

Sadly that run ended on a rather unfortunate mistake that I almost never make. I'm really glad I wasn't doing the splits myself or I'd have noticed how far ahead I was and lamented it for a long while. Looking back at it a lot later on turned out to be more inspiring.

I can consistently get the "over the box" strat now and I have a better feel for my shot timing on the Base 2 boss, so I just need to keep at it and it'll happen any day.

Also adding Low% Normal to the categories I intend to run for this game after Any% Normal. I'm going to wait on deciding on Low% Hardest until after I've been working on Any% Hardest for a while.

Working DK

2014-01-31 06:17:51 pm

Yes! Low % Hype!

ZakkyTheHybrid

Edit history:

ZakkyTheHybrid: 2014-02-02 12:41:51 pm

ZakkyTheHybrid: 2014-02-02 12:41:19 pm

2014-02-02 12:39:22 pm

Goatragon!

Any% Normal, 4:57!!!
http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3654944

Mr. K

2014-02-02 05:13:51 pm

Yes

Wow Zakky! Just wow. My jaw dropped on the base 2 boss fight. That was just insane.

PJ

2014-02-02 08:11:53 pm

Is PJ

Great run, Zakky!

Working DK

2014-02-03 11:51:16 am

Too good, must watch when I'm home from work...

Deuceler

2014-02-03 01:10:41 pm

SPEEDruns not SAFEruns

Amazing stuff Zakky!

ZakkyTheHybrid

2014-02-13 08:40:39 pm

Goatragon!

Cut it down even further, 4:53.

http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3717973

Unfortunately, I probably will not be able to submit this run due to technical issue with the audio. It seems that the game audio got recorded fine on the left sound channel of the DVD, but the right channel apparently ended up with that terrible buzzing you get when something is not properly grounded.

If anyone knows a solution to this, please let me know. Otherwise, in the meantime I have fixed the audio issue and will work on recording another.

Patashu

2014-02-13 08:49:39 pm

If the game doesn't have stereo sound you could just force it mono.

ZakkyTheHybrid

2014-02-14 01:08:53 am

Goatragon!

Thanks for the advice! Fortunately I no longer have to worry about that.

4:52
http://www.twitch.tv/zakkydraggy/c/3719733

Everything recorded properly this time far as I can tell, also.