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

Description

First appearing in Contra III: The Alien Wars, movement 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. The same is true for when a character rides any vehicles. 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

Contra III: The Alien Wars

Holding the R button will allow the player to stand still and aim their weapon in any eight directions they desire. Holding both the Movement Lock button and the L button will allow the player to set up Random Shooting. The Flame Thrower works well with Movement Lock due to its 360° movement.

In Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX, the L button is instead used for Direction Lock, replacing Random Shooting.

Contra: Hard Corps

Instead of holding a certain button, players have two different "mode" options that swap between moving while firing weapons (mode I) and firing weapons in eight different directions while idle (mode II). To swap between modes, hold the SHOT button then press the SELECT button. Alternatively, if one is using a six button Sega Genesis controller, buttons X, Y, or Z will instantly swap modes. Oddly the English instruction manual mentions that these three buttons go unused.

Contra: Shattered Soldier

Identical to previous installments.

Neo Contra

“	Hold the R2 button to lock the character in place. This function is useful when surrounded by enemies. It is also easy to lock on to enemies by quickly spinning in place.	„
	~ Tutorial description

Hard Corps: Uprising

Identical to previous installments. This does not stop a player from sinking in quicksand.

Contra: Operation Galuga

In addition to Movement Lock, the game introduces a new 360° aiming feature.

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

See also

• Direction Lock

References