Contra ReBirth

Contra Rebirth is available for download on WiiWare for 1000 points. Is it worth it?
 
Gameplay
The gameplay in Contra Rebirth is simple. Take control of Bill Rizer or samurai Genbei Yagyu (or one of the two unlockable characters) and fight through five enemy filled stages.
You begin each stage with a basic machine gun, which can be upraded to a laser, spead, or homing gun. You can have up to two weapons at one time, which you can switch between. The player can fire their gun in eight directions, and, when playing with the gamecube or classic controller, stand in place and fire in each direction. You can run, jump, and hold on to poles above you. True to contra form, you can play two player co-op, which is awesome as ever.

Each stage provides an enslaught of enemies, with awesome bosses at the end. The first level boss has you fighting a giant insect-like alien while rapidly falling towards the earth - the first level!
Now on to the difficulty. The game can be played on Easy, Medium or Hard mode, with up to 7 lives. Easy mode is, well, easy. What makes it easy is that the game is quite short, and on easy mode you do not lose your weapon when you die. This allows you to easily destroy every boss with little skill. Normal and Hard mode make things harder for you, and add more of a challenge. 
Contra Rebirth is insanely fun and action packed. The downside is that there are only 3 weapon upgrades, and it is disappointing to not see flamethrower, crush missiles and other weapons from past games. The game is also short (only five stages). But it still the same old, fun, hard (unless you're on easy mode) Contra.
 
Design
There is only one mode to play in this game; it can be played with one or two players. Playing through Easy and Normal mode will unlock two characters respectively, while playing through Hard will unlock a Nightmare mode. 

The game may only have 5 levels, but they are incredible. The variety in levels is great: one level has you riding at high speeds on a truck, another has you traversing a magma filled cave. The last level is, big suprise, an alien den. It looks exactly like past games, which is somewhat disappointing. The bosses are fun, unique and crazy.
The game also gives a good variety of options to play with - lives and difficulty as well as fully customizable controls.
The levels are fun, the bosses are fun, the co-op is fun. Everything in Contra Rebirth is well done, except maybe the length. 
 
Story
Contra Rebirth has a pretty basic story. Lance Bean is kidnapped, Bill Rizer must blast his way through the aliens, who once again invade earth, to beat Cheif Salamander at the end. A pretty basic story, but it does serve its purpose. It is told by cutscenes after each level, which consist of text accompanied by still images. The story isn't great, but it serves its purpose and really doesn't have much of an effect on the game's lasting appeal.
 
Graphics
The cutscenes feature some well done hand drawn images, which do a good job of adding feel to the game. The in game graphics are great. The sprites are detailed and everything a new and polished, yet classic look. The graphics in this game provide an excellent mix of new and old.
 
Sound
The sound in this game is amazing. Each level has an awesome theme to listen to, accompanied by the yells of aliens and the blasts of your guns. The sound effects are well done as well, from everything including your characters death screams and a classic "Let's Party!" when they are revived.
 
Overall
Gameplay - 5/5 - Classic Contra gameplay is a fun as ever.
Design - 4.5/5 - The few levels that are in the game are excellent.
Story - 3/5 - An unimportant but basic story.
Graphics - 5/5 - Extremely well done, combines old style with new.
Sound - 5/5 - Awesome themes that will be stuck in your head.
Overall 4.5/5 - This game is a bit short and a bit easy compared to other Contra games, but it is still incredible, action packed Contra fun.