Probotector (Game Boy Color) Playthrough
6Playthrough of Probotector, the colorized remake of the 1991 run and gun game as included in the 1999 Konami GB Collection Vol. 1 compilation for the Game Boy Color.
Probotector, as included in the 1999 Konami GB Collection Vol. 1 for the Game Boy Color, is a colorized remake of the original 1991 Game Boy title, which itself was a rebranded version of Contra adapted for European audiences. This version replaces the human commandos with robotic protagonists, a stylistic choice made to comply with regional censorship guidelines at the time. Despite this cosmetic change, the gameplay remains largely faithful to its source material, offering tight run-and-gun action spread across a variety of side-scrolling and vertical-scrolling stages.
The Game Boy Color update brings a notable improvement to the visual presentation. Sprites are clean and detailed within the limitations of the hardware, and the addition of color breathes new life into the environments and character models. Backgrounds are given just enough variation to keep stages visually distinct, and the robotic design of the protagonists fits well with the game's mechanical and alien-themed environments.
The controls are responsive, if occasionally limited by the handheldβs two-button setup, and the action remains fast-paced and challenging. Weapon power-ups, jumping segments, and enemy waves are all faithfully implemented, creating a satisfying arcade-style experience. The difficulty is high, as is typical of the series, though manageable for those familiar with the genre.
The soundtrack and sound effects are compact renditions of Contra-style audio, delivering energetic, chiptune-driven intensity throughout the levels. While short in length, the game makes good use of its structure and offers enough variety in stage layout and boss encounters to keep things engaging.
Overall, this colorized version of Probotector maintains the spirit of the original while benefiting from a more vibrant visual update, making it a worthwhile inclusion in the Konami GB Collection for Game Boy Color. It remains a solid portable entry for fans of classic run-and-gun action.