And here he is in all his glory: the mother of all badass cyborgs! When you kill him you even have the satisfaction of getting to watch him decapitate himself as the bay doors snap shut again.

Stage four is reminiscent of R-Type’s mothership level, where you weave your way around this huge monstrosity blasting away at anything that moves. The jet-bikes are a wicked touch; they handle superbly and epitomise the thought and innovation that Konami obviously put into Contra Spirits.

Do well enough on the bike and you earn yourself a lift from a buddie in this cool helicopter. Even after all you've been through don't make the mistake of thinking the actionis over yet though… the hard part is only just coming up.

The climax to stage four has you clinging on to missiles shot from your ‘copter and trying to take you the weak spot of the alien mothership. It’s innovation taken to the highest level and an incredible adrenaline rush. Just try doing this on hard mode - it has to be seen to be believed!

The second of the Mode 7-inspired rotating levels takes place in the desert, and is tons more frenetic and taxing than the first. You have to really be on your guard in hard mode when the boss arrives, because he is one tough son of a bitch!

As you finally enter the alien lair at the
beginning of the sixth stage, a few old faces
emerge from the shadows to hinder your
progress. In fact this final stage is a veritable
reunion of old Contra stalwarts – so give
them some memories they’ll never forget!