Has anyone actually beaten Contra: Shattered Soldier for PS2!?

I finally achieved "S" ranking in one sitting (in the actual game, not screwing around in training mode). this has got to be one of the hardest games I've ever played. Def. the hardest PS2 game, bar none. The ending isn't all that great for the effort (and frustration!) it takes to finish the game with an "S" rank. But the bragging rights are there /versus/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

Woow, that's impressive.

I've been using to much time on Virtua Fighter so I haven’t got any time for Contra lately, although it is one of my favourite games on Playstation 2.
But as you said, it's also one of the most frustrating games out there.

I should pick it up again soon.

Congratulations on the S- Rank.
/versus/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

Definate congrats! I've been so close to S it kills me to think about it. Each time I make an errant move or get cocky and take the one hit to mess up my ranking.
I'm pretty happy with just clearing with an A these days though. The action in Contra SS is just outstanding.
Nowadays I go 2player in Contra with a friend of mine who is slowly learning the ropes. If you think teaching yourself how to get an S rank is special, try going co-op with a buddy until BOTH of you can clear it with an A. High fives every time between levels I tell ya.

 

Thanks guys!!

question: if you are playing 2p. and you finish a stage without a scratch and a 100% hit rate; but, your friend bites it a few times, does the game grade you individually; or is it a "joint" ranking? Also, I know what it's like to get killed because of carelessness (trying to be fancy), or simply not paying attention to a spot in the game that you normally have few problems with. This game can be sooooo aggrevating! And, for as much as it is frustrating, it's equally addicting.

 

2P mode gives you a set amount of lives (I think the bonus default lives applies here too) that you SHARE between both players in a manner of sorts:
You both start with an equal amount of lives (say 5 for example). Once one player loses all those lives they do not automatically respawn. HOWEVER if they choose to hit the start button they will use up one of the surviving players lives and respawn. This makes it more fun for sucky players but can really irritate you if you only have 2 lives left and you KNOW you can finish the level but they keep pressing start.

Regardless, the ranking is a combined score. If you're a wizard but your friend sucks your ranking is going to be terrible.
Having two people beat SS with an S ranking is something truly awe-inspiring (I would assume /versus/images/graemlins/wink.gif ).

 

This month's FamitsuWave DVD magazine has a featurette where they show All S Rank being done. They have some really, really freakish players on staff there...

 

Man...a S rank is nuts...I love that game...I played it like mad when it was first released (Import)

All that time I put into it and I still sucked...LOL... /versus/images/graemlins/blush.gif I can beat it, but I die about 3 times...

 

For people who have gotten an S, any tips for taking down the frog form of the last boss without dying? I seem to always get hit at least once by those damn spinning rods.

 

Use the flamethrower. All gunfire causes the frog's spinning rods to shorten, so that they can be jumped over; but the flamethrower is by far the most effective weapon to use on'em.