Contra: Hard Corps is a run-and-gun game that Konami released for the Genesis in North America on 14 September 1994 and in Japan, as Contra: The Hard Corps, the next day. Nobuya Nakazato directed and wrote it, and Hiroshi Kobayashi composed the music. Two players can play together, though they cannot pick the same character.
Europe got the game on 11 October 1994 as Probotector, with robots in place of the human heroes. The regional versions also differ in difficulty: the Japanese release gives each life three hits and unlimited continues, which makes it much easier than the Western ones.
Famitsu reported 23,365 copies sold in Japan, yet Micom BASIC Magazine ranked it first in popularity in its December 1994 issue. In 2019 it returned in Contra Anniversary Collection and on the Sega Genesis Mini, and Arc System Works developed a prequel, Hard Corps: Uprising.1
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Contra: Hard Corps | Genesis | Sep 14, 1994 | Konami | 1 |
| JP | 魂斗羅 ザ・ハードコア | Genesis | Sep 15, 1994 | Konami | 1 |
| EU | Probotector | Genesis | Oct 11, 1994 | Konami | 1 |
| WW | Contra Anniversary CollectionCompilation; also on Switch, PS4 and Xbox One (June 2019) | Windows | Jun 11, 2019 | Konami | 2 |
| WW | Contra: Hard CorpsPreinstalled on the Sega Genesis Mini | Other | 2019 | Sega | 1 |
| WW | Contra: Hard CorpsNintendo Switch Online (Sega Genesis library) | Switch | Oct 25, 2021 | Nintendo | 3 |
Also known as: 魂斗羅 ザ・ハードコア JP1Kontora Za Hādo Koa JP1Contra: The Hard Corps JP1Probotector EU1
Box art by region
NA Contra: Hard Corps 
EU Probotector 
JP 魂斗羅 ザ・ハードコア
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
-
DifficultyJPNA/EU
The Japanese version is much easier: a life gauge absorbs three hits before a life is lost, and continues are unlimited.1
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DifficultyNAEU
The North American version allows five continues; the European Probotector allows four.1
-
CensorshipEU
In Probotector the playable heroes and some enemies became robots, the plot was rewritten and the alien cell became the 'X-Drive'; Browny kept his design but got a new name.1
Translations
-
English Official
Konami1994Genesis · Japanese versionReleased · complete
Konami released it in English as Contra: Hard Corps in North America and Probotector in Europe.1
Where to play legally today
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Nintendo Switch Online Subscription
Contra: Hard Corps (SEGA Mega Drive - Nintendo Switch Online)
Mega Drive/Genesis version
Checked: 2026-10-134nintendo.com
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Steam Purchase
Contra Anniversary Collection
Contra Hard Corps and Probotector
Checked: 2026-10-132store.steampowered.com
Reception
Famitsu reported 23,365 copies sold in Japan over the game's lifetime. Western magazines rated it highly (Mean Machines Sega 94%, GamesMaster 93%), praising its bosses and graphics while noting its high difficulty.1
In lists
Sources
- 1en.wikipedia.org
- 2store.steampowered.com
- 3en.wikipedia.org
- 4gameinformer.com
- 5ru.wikipedia.org
- 6ja.wikipedia.org
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
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