JoyMasher's upcoming side-scrolling shooter, Blazing Chrome, looks to be all-set to scratch that Contra itch you've got (sorry, no cream for that). The latest gameplay trailer shows off most of one of the title's levels and watching this thing in action really makes me eager to get my hands on it "sometime 2019."
While the gameplay footage is single-player only, there is one particular thing of note in this footage: the three difficulties, Easy, Normal, and Hardcore. Depending on which difficulty you choose, you'll notice some changes to the number of lives with which you start, and whether you'll be able to save your progress or not. Easy gives you 7 lives, the ability to save, and something called "support capsules." Normal starts you with 5 lives and the ability to save, but no support capsules. Hardcore appears to be the most Contra-like experience with only 3 lives and 3 continue credits (no saves). You can also play the game in "mirror mode" so you're going right-to-left instead of left-to-right.
Blazing Chrome is set for a release "soon" on PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Two player couch co-op is supported throughout the campaign.