The items on the indicators include a standard-issue pistol for every character, two character-specific weapons, a turbo fire power-up that increases the number of bullets on-screen, and a rolling attack that keeps the character invulnerable to enemy fire while in mid-air. When the cursor is on the power-up the player wants to obtain, the player can confirm their selection with the select button. The player must pick up briefcase-shaped power-ups, which are hidden within the destructible environment of each stage, to move the cursor on the indicator by one increment. Instead of the instant power-ups from previous Contra games, the player has a power selection meter similar to the Gradius series which shows what power-ups the player can obtain. Shooting is possible at any of the eight directions depending on the context. At the side-view stages the player can run left or right, as well as crouch and jump, whereas in the top-view stages the player can move in eight directions (but cannot jump nor crouch). The controls are similar to previous Contra games.

Stages in the game are the Warehouse, Harbor, Mati Building, Aircraft Rumble, and lastly, the Blue Group Headquarters. The objective is as simple as getting to the end of each stage, fighting every enemy who gets in the way, before confronting the boss awaiting at the end. The game consists of five stages: the odd-numbered stages (1, 3, and 5) are played from the standard side-view perspective, while the even-numbered stages (2 and 4) are played from an overhead perspective (similar to the ones in Super Contra and Operation C (video game)). Each character differs from each other, not just in what weapons they wield, but also in their speed and jumping ability. In addition to Burns, the team's leader, the player can also choose between Iron, a heavy weapons expert Smith, a sharpshooter and Beans, a demolitions expert. Contra Force begins with the player being asked to choose between one of four characters.

Super contra 6