contra

Direction Lock[1] is a commonly recurring technique featured in the Contra series.

Description

Directional Lock allows the player to stop moving by (usually) holding down a button, which will cause the player character to stand in place but be able to aim their gun in eight directions. Locking one's movement while aiming has become a prominent technique, useful for just about every situation involving blasting large or durable targets or bosses.

Appearances

C: the Contra Adventure

Lock Aim is utilized by holding down R1 by default. Holding the button allows Ray to Strafe around enemies while keeping frontal viewpoint. While aim is locked in 3D-view stages, pressing the JUMP button while holding the left or right direction will cause Ray to perform a side flip jump, grunting as he does so.

Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX

Used by holding down the L button. This effectively replaces the Random Shooting from the game's original Super NES iteration.

Contra: Shattered Soldier

The Options menu refers to this action as "Lock Gunpoint". The default button is assigned to L2. This can be changed in the Options menu.

Neo Contra

“ Hold the L2 button to lock the character direction. Utilize this function to avoid enemy attacks while continuing to attack. „
~ Tutorial description

Named as Direction Lock in the Tutorial menu. A video explains how the function is utilized (see below).

Hard Corps: Uprising

Similar to previous installments.

Official data

Shin Contra/Contra: Hard Spirits - Konami Official Perfect Guide translation
"Gun barrel fixed and player position fixed"
By holding down L2, you can move the player while keeping the gun barrel fixed. While holding down R2, you can fix the player's position and only change the gun barrel. These two actions are particularly important. During MISSION execution, it is not an exaggeration to say that mastering the use of these two actions can determine life or death, so be sure to master them.
(Side notes:) Gun barrel fixing is especially effective in aerial combat, while player position fixing is effective when attacking from a stationary position.

Gallery

Videos

Tutorial video from Neo Contra.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Name used in the tutorial of Neo Contra.