Published by: Retro Arsenal
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If you are booting up Super C today:
You now hold the keys to the kingdom. Whether you play legitimately for pride or use the code for nostalgia, Super C remains a masterpiece—and the 30 lives cheat is your permission slip to have fun.
Call to Action: Did the code work for you? Do you prefer the Spread Gun (S) or the Laser (L) for the final boss? Share your Super C memories below, and never forget: Now try the Japanese version—it has cutscenes!
I’m not sure what "super contra s power 30 lives nes" refers to exactly — I’ll assume you mean the NES game "Super Contra" (often called Super C), which features the "30 Lives" cheat/power-up on the Nintendo Entertainment System. I’ll write a dynamic, engaging chronicle of the game's history, impact, and the famous 30-lives code/feature.
The "S-Power" 30-lives code for Super Contra represents a masterclass in game balance design. By including a "backdoor" to lower the difficulty, Konami ensured that the game remained challenging for hardcore purists while remaining accessible to casual players. Without this code, Super C would likely be remembered today as an unapproachably difficult relic, rather than a celebrated classic of the NES library.
In the NES version of Super Contra (released as Super C in North America), the traditional Konami Code for 30 lives from the first game does not work. Instead, the sequence is modified and varies slightly by regional version. Cheat Codes for Super C (NES)
10 Lives (North American Version)On the title screen, before the menu disappears, press:Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, Start. For 2 Players, press Select before Start.
30 Lives (Japanese Famicom Version)If you are playing the Japanese version (Super Contra), you can still get 30 lives by pressing:Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B on the title screen.
Sound Test ModeTo access the hidden music and sound effect menu, hold A + B and press Start at the title screen.
Stage Select (Japanese Version Only)At the title screen, press and hold Down on the D-pad, then press Start and immediately hold Select. Essential Power-Up Guide
To survive even with extra lives, focus on these weapon pickups found in flying item capsules: Description S Spread Gun
The most effective weapon; fires five bullets in a wide arc. F Fire Ball
Fires a large projectile that creates a small explosion on impact. M Machine Gun
Rapid-fire automatic bullets; hold the button down for continuous fire. L Laser Rifle High-damage piercing beam, but narrow and slow to fire. R Rapid Fire
Increases the travel speed of your current weapon's projectiles. B Barrier Grants temporary invincibility. NES Super Contra: Secret Extra Lives Trick!
To master Super Contra (better known as Super C on the NES), you need to look beyond the classic "30 lives" myth of the original game and understand how Konami evolved the formula. While the original Contra popularized the 30-life Konami Code (↑↑↓↓←→←→ B A Start), Super C famously "nerfed" this to just 10 lives in North America to maintain its "NES Hard" reputation. The "New" Code: Securing 10 Lives
In the North American NES version, the standard Konami code will not work for lives. Instead, use this specific sequence on the title screen:
10 Lives Code: Press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, then Start.
2-Player 10 Lives: Highlight "2 Players" and enter the same code: Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, Select, Start.
Note: The 30-life code still exists in the Japanese Famicom version and the European version (Probotector II) using this same Right-Left-Down-Up sequence. Weapon Mastery: The "S" Power-Up
The Spread Gun (S) remains the undisputed "game breaker" of the series. Unlike the Laser, which requires you to wait for a beam to clear before firing again, the Spread Shot allows for massive screen coverage.
Pro Strategy: Getting up close to bosses with the Spread Gun allows all five projectiles to hit at once, dealing damage comparable to the Laser while maintaining a much higher safety margin. super contra s power 30 lives nes
The "S" Evolution: In Super C, the Spread Gun’s formation is tighter than in the first game. If you fire too rapidly, the bullets lose their wide formation and spread less. Why the Code Matters SUPER CONTRA – NES VERSION
Mastering the Madness: How to Conquer Super C on the NES If you grew up in the 8-bit era, you know the legend of . You also likely know that its sequel, Super Contra
), is just as brutal. While the original game gave us the iconic Konami Code for 30 lives, the sequel changed the rules, leaving many players staring at a "Game Over" screen far earlier than they’d like.
Here is your essential guide to surviving the alien onslaught with the right codes and power-ups. The Legend of the Extra Lives Code In the original , the Konami Code (
) was your golden ticket to 30 lives. In the North American version of , however, that classic sequence won't work. The 10-Life Trick (North America):
At the title screen, before the music starts or during the player selection, quickly press: Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, Start
This gives you 10 lives—not quite 30, but a much-needed cushion for those tough overhead stages. The 30-Life Code (International Versions): If you are playing the Japanese (Famicom) or European ( Probotector II ) versions, the same code— Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, Start —actually grants the full Power-Up Breakdown: Gear Up for Victory You can't win on lives alone. You need firepower. In
, power-ups are found by shooting flying capsules or wall sensors.
What's the code to get 30 lives in the original Contra? - Arqade
"Hey! To get 30 lives in Super Contra on NES, try this cheat code: On the title screen, press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start. If done correctly, you'll hear a beep and you'll start with 30 lives! Good luck, and have fun taking down those Red Falcon Organization aliens!"
In the North American NES release of Super Contra (also known as Super C), the legendary "30 lives" Konami code from its predecessor was famously altered to provide only 10 lives. This adjustment significantly spiked the stakes for players accustomed to the original game's generous safety net. The Code: How to Get Extra Lives While the original Contra used the iconic
sequence, Super C requires a different input at the title screen to boost your starting count:
10 Lives (Player 1): Press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, Start.
10 Lives (Player 2): Press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, Select, then Start.
30 Lives Exception: The full 30 lives are only available in the Japanese Famicom version and the European PAL version (Probotector II) using that same Weapon Mechanics: The "S" Power and Beyond
The Spread Gun (S) remains the definitive "game breaker" in Super C, though it faces stiffer competition from a revamped arsenal compared to the first game. How to get 30 lives in super contra
The legendary NES run-and-gun title Super Contra (often known as Super C) is the brutal sequel to the 1988 classic that defined a generation. While its predecessor famously used the "Konami Code" for 30 lives, Super C changed the rules, leaving many players frustrated as they tried to input the old sequence to no avail.
Here is everything you need to know about mastering Super Contra, from the elusive life codes to the power-ups you need to survive. The Mystery of the 30 Lives Code
The most common question regarding this game is: "Does the 30 lives code work?" The answer depends entirely on which version of the game you are playing.
North American Version (Super C): The standard Konami Code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start) does not work in this version. Instead, Konami implemented a different code that provides 10 lives instead of 30.
10 Lives Code (US): At the title screen, press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, Start.
2-Player 10 Lives: Press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, Select, Start. Unleashing Chaos: The Ultimate Guide to Super Contra
Japanese (Super Contra) and European (Probotector II) Versions: These versions actually retained the 30 lives bonus, though the button sequence is unique to this title.
30 Lives Code (JP/EU): At the title screen, press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, Start. Essential Weapon Power-Ups
In Super Contra, your default rifle is barely enough to get past the first few soldiers. To survive the alien onslaught, you must hunt for flying capsules and stationary pillboxes to upgrade your arsenal.
Super Contra: Mastering the 30 Lives Cheat and the Power of the "S"
In the brutal landscape of 8-bit run-and-gun shooters, few titles command as much respect—and frustration—as Super Contra (known as Super C on the NES). As the legendary sequel to the original Contra, it ramped up the intensity with larger bosses, top-down stages, and a relentless difficulty curve. For many players, survival depends on two things: securing enough lives to weather the storm and wielding the "S" power-up to dish out maximum damage. The Quest for 30 Lives: Regional Differences
One of the biggest misconceptions in retro gaming is that the iconic Konami Code (↑, ↑, ↓, ↓, ←, →, ←, →, B, A, Start) works the same way for every game in the series. While that sequence grants 30 lives in the original Contra, it does not work for the North American NES version of Super C.
If you are playing the North American release, you can only unlock 10 lives using a specific sequence:
10 Lives Code (US): At the title screen, press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, and then Start.
2-Player 10 Lives (US): Use the same sequence, but press Select before Start.
However, the elusive 30 lives cheat actually exists for other versions of the game:
Japanese (Famicom) Version: Press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, and B at the title screen.
European (Probotector II) Version: Press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, and then Start. The S Power-Up: The "Game Breaker"
While extra lives provide a safety net, the Spread Gun (S) is your primary tool for offense. Widely considered the most powerful weapon in the game, it fires five large bullets that fan out in a wide arc. Super C Cheats, Codes, and Secrets for NES - GameFAQs
To get 30 lives in Super Contra in North America) on the NES, the method depends on which regional version of the game you are playing. Unlike the original
, the classic Konami Code does not work for extra lives in the US version. Regional Codes for 30 Lives Japan (Super Contra): At the title screen, press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B Europe (Probotector II: Return of the Evil Forces): At the title screen, press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, Start The North American (Super C) 10-Life Code
In the North American version, there is no direct "30 lives" code. Instead, you can unlock
(which totals 30 across your two continues) using a variation of the directional input: On the title screen, press Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B, Start Two Players:
You must enter this sequence quickly while the title screen is visible before the demo starts. Bonus: Secret Music Test
In all NES versions, you can access a hidden sound and music test menu: at the title screen. Stage Select codes for any of these specific versions? Super C Cheats - NES Cheats Guide - IGN
The year was 2634, and the dust from the first alien invasion had barely settled when the signals started again. Bill Rizer and Lance Bean stood on the deck of a South American transport chopper, checking their pulse rifles. The "Red Falcon" wasn't just back; it was evolving.
"Intelligence says the base is crawling with mutated soldiers and gravity-defying xenomorphs," Lance shouted over the roar of the rotors. "It’s a suicide mission, Bill. We’re going in with standard-issue gear and a prayer."
Bill didn’t look up. He was focused on his hands, tapping out a rhythmic sequence on the console of his tactical computer: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Select, Start. Enter Right, Left, Down, Up, A, B at the title screen
"What are you doing?" Lance asked, eyeing the flickering screen. "Creating a safety net," Bill grunted.
As they leaped from the chopper into the ruins of the first stage, the air immediately filled with lead. In any other reality, a single stray bullet would have ended the legend then and there. But as Bill took a direct hit from a sniper in the watchtower, something strange happened. Instead of falling, his body flickered with a ghostly blue light. He stumbled, shook his head, and stood right back up, a fresh rifle appearing in his hands as if plucked from the ether.
"How are you still breathing?" Lance yelled, rolling behind a concrete barrier.
"I’ve got thirty chances today, Lance," Bill smirked, leveling his Spread Gun at a charging wall of alien infantry. "Don't waste yours."
They tore through the high-tech ruins. When the giant helicopter boss in Stage 2 shredded their position with missiles, Bill simply "re-materialized" mid-air, landing on his feet and continuing the barrage. The psychological weight of death had vanished. They became a two-man whirlwind of destruction, sprinting through the boiling caverns of the alien hive and descending into the heart of the beast.
By the time they reached the final chamber—the pulsing, horrific core of the alien queen—Bill had "died" twenty-four times. He had been crushed by falling ceilings, melted by acid, and shot more times than he could count. But the Konami code had woven him into the fabric of the mission.
With his twenty-ninth life, Bill leaped into the maw of the beast, planting a thermal charge directly into its brain. The explosion rocked the cavern. As the facility began to collapse, Lance grabbed Bill’s arm, dragging him toward the extraction point. "We're out of lives, Bill! This is the last one!"
They breached the surface just as the island vanished in a plume of fire. Sitting on the rescue chopper, bruised and exhausted, Lance looked at his partner. "Thirty lives... we actually used almost all of them."
Bill looked at the sunset, his thumb still twitching in the pattern of the code. "In this war, Lance, sometimes youYou need a cheat code for destiny."
Are you looking to use the 30-lives code for a playthrough on a specific emulator or the original hardware?
Super Contra S: Power 30 Lives on NES
Super Contra S, also known as Super Contra III: The Alien Wars in some regions, is a classic run-and-gun action game developed by Konami. Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1990, it's the third installment in the Contra series. The game is renowned for its fast-paced gameplay, challenging levels, and, notoriously, its difficulty.
The game follows the same formula as its predecessors, with players taking on the roles of Bill Rizer and Lance Bean, or their female counterparts, as they battle against an alien invasion. The storyline is straightforward: an alien force, known as the Red Falcon Organization, has taken over the Earth, and it's up to you to stop them.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Super Contra S is where it truly shines. Players can move left or right, jump, and fire their weapons. The game introduces new weapons, such as the spread gun and the laser gun, adding variety to the combat. The game also features boss battles at the end of each level, which require strategy and quick reflexes to overcome.
Power-Ups and Lives
The game includes power-ups such as the Super Dorai, which increases the player's firepower. A notable cheat code allows players to start with 30 lives, enhancing their chances of completing the challenging game. This code has become legendary among retro gamers, symbolizing the game's difficulty and the nostalgia of the NES era.
Impact and Legacy
Super Contra S on the NES has a special place in the hearts of many gamers who grew up in the 80s and 90s. Its challenging gameplay, coupled with the iconic Contra series' reputation for difficulty, made it a staple of late-night gaming sessions and marathon attempts to beat it. The game's graphics, while dated, still retain a charm that nostalgic gamers fondly remember.
The Contra series, including Super Contra S, has inspired numerous sequels, spin-offs, and even a movie. Its influence on the run-and-gun action genre is undeniable, with many modern games drawing inspiration from its fast-paced action and challenging gameplay.
Conclusion
Super Contra S: Power 30 Lives on the NES is more than just a game; it's an experience. For those who played it growing up, it brings back memories of late nights, controller-wearing finger cramps, and the sweet satisfaction of beating a level or defeating a tough boss. For newcomers, it offers a glimpse into the challenging yet rewarding world of classic video games. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just looking to experience a piece of gaming history, Super Contra S is a title worth exploring.