Man... which diffculty were you guys playing on? I beat it on easy already and can get to stage 4 without using a continue on normal (although I immediately quit the game if I lose the first credit or sometimes when I lose my level 2 spreader. I have not used Konami code in trying to beat this game except twice to experiment what it does. I am kind disappointed that it only let you use it once, and any additional use will kill you)
For my gaming history on contra, I have beat Contra 1 - 3, but I used Konami code on 1 & 2 (I had them on my Famicom) and something on 3.
I manage to beat easy mode on my 2nd playthrough, which is the same day that I bought the game, last sunday.
P.S. You can unlock the original contra by beating 4 challenges in challenge mode. Challenge mode is unlocked by beating the game in any mode (easy included)
I am a PC gamer, and also have a NDS now, but without access to a Nintendo Wii until End of 2007.
Currently playing: Super Smash Brothers Brawl(Wii), Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer(DS), Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime (DS), WiiFit(Wii)
Games Recently Beaten: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King (Normal; Very Hard after the next DLCs become available)
1 word: RTFA
