The insanely huge popularity the Nintendo DS is enjoying these days makes it an unforgettable mistake for any publisher or developer out there to avoid the platform.

Konami is certainly not a company that can be accused of such mistakes and the recent announcement concerning the debut of Contra 4 for DS is clearly a sign of the company’s for this platform.

The game’s new features include gunplay extended on the DS’ two screens, multiplayer component using the handheld’s wireless connectivity and more deadly abilities for the main character.

Contra 4 marks the action franchise’s 20th anniversary and takes place two years after the events of Contra III: The Alien Wars. After saving earth from invasion by Red Falcon, Bill Rizer and Lance Bean are confronted with a new extraterrestrial menace: the terrifying Black Viper. Joined by hard-boiled mercenaries Mad Dog and Scorpion, the warriors must once again wage war against an entire army of invaders.

Konami’s Contra 4 will take full advantage of DS’ unique two-screen design, expanding the fanatic shoot-first-ask-questions-later gameplay to new horizons. In order to advance through the game, players need to jump, shoot, and dodge oncoming hazards, using a new item in the arsenal: the grappling hook. The use of both screens for the game's core action also allows for massive boss battles as players try to seek and destroy the weak points of sky-high enemies.

Since the Contra franchise has a long tradition of bringing gamers together, Contra 4 will also allow for cooperative gaming: two players will be confronted simultaneously with Black Viper’s army of alien foes, in their desperate attempt to save Earth and human kind.

Contra 4 has not yet received its rating and pricing, but is expected to come out by the end of this year.