The third and last Contra installment on the NES. As Contra 3 (a.k.a. Contra Spirits) makes it 16-bit debut on the SNES, Contra Force is the series' final celebration on the old 8-bit system, utilizing a new engine that pushes the NES' power to its very limits. Although it runs slower than the first two NES installments, Contra Force brings many new elements to the series, including the choice of four different playable characters (while still offering simultaneous two-player action), more advanced jumping controls, destructible environments, plus more. In addition, it serves to inspire later classics in the series, such as Contra: Hard Corps and Contra Rebirth. (Contra Force's Japanese version is called Arc Hound, but it has not been officially released in Japan.)