Contra Evolution gets game of the week attention, especially for those of you who were old enough to play the original

When you think of a Run and Gun game like Contra, one doesn't usually think of playing it on a touch screen device like an iPad. Automatic firing of weapons is a must have when your not used to a touch screen, and the button mashing can be a hassle after a while. But for a very modest 99 cents, you can finally relive the late 80's when the first Contra took us by storm. What about the Konami code? Not happening this time around, and because of that you're certainly going to need some tips in getting through it all.

A while back I posted about said tips that Konami had offered in the wake of a lack of those much needed 30 extra men. You can check each and every one of them here. Trust me, you'll need them all. On a plus side, you get the chance to use two extra men, or rather women along side the classic Mad Dog and Scorpion. Did they finally get hooked up? Looks like it. So if you're still up in the air on whether to fork out a buck for this one and need a good challenge, trust me as you can do a lot worse for a good solid touch screen game on the go.

Contra Evolution has finally made its way onto the Android format ready to blast a hole in the Red Falcon

Whether you are an Android owner, or have an iOS device, there seems to be a healthy supply of games for either format these days. A while back, CocoaChina/Chukong had aquired the rights to do a remake of the classic Run and Gun title we grew up with known as Contra. Mad Dog and Scorpion, the main characters of the famous side scrolling shooter, took us through level after level of intense blasting and blowing up just about everything you see around you. When the thought of a full blown remake being done was announced, the fans were delighted, and couldn't wait to get their hands on the outcome of such an idea.

That was then, and this is now. For a while, it seemed only iOS owners could get a taste of the action, and while that seemed the case then, today Android owners can finally rejoice. Contra Evolution as it's called, was just released on the Android format, which plays somewhat similar to the iOS touch screen format. Virtual joysticks?,  check. Added female characters and extra features?, check. The ability to use the old Konami code to give yourself 30 lives?, not so much. Nothing but solid challenging game play here, so Contra Evolution isn't exactly your easy peasy walk in the park game. But it takes a genuine classic and adds some real spice to it. Below is footage from the iOS version, which is similar in most respects.