The Machine Soldier[1] is an enemy in the Contra series.
Description
Machine Soldiers are low-level enemy robots that attack in a variety of ways, whether it is by charging, shooting projectiles, or tossing explosives at the player. They work for an unknown yet familiar terrorist group.
Appearances
Contra: Hard Corps
A seemingly infinite number of these cannon fodder robots were sent to rampage throughout the city streets as part of a diversion attack by a rebellious group so they could more easily steal the alien cell from a research center. Machine Soldiers pretty much play the role of Greeders, Ledders and Grenade Throwers seen in other games of the series during in the first stage of the game (proper human Zako Soldiers appear in later levels). For this end, a number of Machine Soldier variants, each with their own attack specialty, appear to replace said enemy ranks.
Machine Soldiers are only encountered in the initial section of the City Battle stage. They come in a variety of forms, with both the color of their helmets and their armaments denoting their specific attack methods:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
(Runner)  |
Charges nonstop at a fast speed through the battlefield. Will jump over environmental obstacles and continue its charge, though they will immediately run in the opposite direction once they reach a large Fuel Tanker blocking their pathway. Their attack method is practically identical to that of Greeders in other games. They may briefly pause before executing a small but fast charge attack with their bladed arms. An infinite army of them appear throughout the beginning of the stage and each one destroyed grants the victorious player 20 points. |
(Gunner)  |
A red seemingly unarmed variant that enters the screen from either edge and performs long leaps over obstacles trying to reach the player. Will turn away from a large fuel tanker in their way however. Like familiar Greeder type enemies colored red, these red bots tend to pause their movement and fire a bullet from their hidden chest cannon before running in the opposite direction. Appears in infinite numbers during the beginning of the stage. These fragile robots can be eliminated from any player weapons or sliding and are worth 30 points each. |
(Sniper Gunner)  |
Encountered holding post on higher platforms; they target and shoot a projectile at the player as they pass by. Their attack method is practically identical to that of Ledders in other games. Five appear in total and each grants 100 points to the hero who destroyed one. Points are not awarded for the Sniper that is housed on top of the Fuel Tanker if the robot was destroyed by the vehicle's explosion (the robot must be eliminated by direct hero weapon fire for it to grant any score). |
(Cannon Gunner)  |
Remains stationary and attacks by lobbing Gardegura bombs in an arc. Their attack pattern is similar to that of Grenade Throwers in other games. Although two are present in the battlefield, one was ran over and destroyed as the Hard Corps rushed to the scene in their armored car. The player who destroys this remaining lone robot is rewarded with 500 points. |
Contra Returns
These robots are under the control of Colonel Bahamut and at times are commanded by his associate Deadeye Joe in order to halt Contra's progress. They can be considered a stronger variant of the standard Greeder units seen prior to Bahamut's exiled hero status.
Gallery
Trivia
- The word zako (雜魚 or ザコ) refers to generic minions/lackeys. These types are the lowest and weakest of enemies.
- Reapers from Contra 4 also behave and play a similar role as the Machine Soldiers, with the red variant having identical behavior to the Type-G Machine Soldier. Both enemies are also robots that spawn infinitely throughout a city stage.
- The red robot with the cannon on its bears a slight resemblance to the Cannon Soldier from the Yu-Gi-Oh! series (also owned by Konami).
See also
References
- ↑ Contra Overdrive development document. Viewable in The History of Contra.