Each level is studded with alien foes, vehicles to commandeer and a wide selection of collectable weapons. These include flame-throwers, three-way-firing machine guns and homing missiles, which are discarded by destroyed aliens and last indefinitely or until the heroes lose a life. As such, Contra Advance enjoys the same immediate and entertaining gameplay the series of famed for, with the action coming thick and fast, while huge end-of-level creatures upping the difficulty stakes.

Contra Advance also features a special two-player mode, effected via Nintendo's link cable. This allows players to join forces against the alien menace as they share weapons and combine firepower to take out the larger adversaries.

Contra Advance will be released for Game Boy Advance on February 14th; price £29.99.