Contra X for Generals Zero Hour: What It Is and Should You Switch from 009

Contra X is the next major version of the Contra mod for Generals Zero Hour, and so far it only exists as a beta. The first Contra X Beta came out in July 2023, Beta 2 in September 2025, and Patch 1 followed in October. Contra X installs from scratch and doesn't need any older Contra.

What Contra X is

It's made by the same Contra Mod Team behind 007, 008 and 009. The authors describe X as the next standalone chapter of Contra. They also mean it when they say "beta": expect new bugs and unfinished parts.

Release timeline

What changed compared to 009

From the first beta's changelog:

• The superweapon general now picks one of two tech paths, conventional or futuristic. The conventional path brings back Crusader tanks and adds the MARP super unit; the futuristic one has sonic, electric and cryo weapons.
• Tier 1 artillery fires without deploying and no longer gets stuck in tunnels.
• Static anti-air has shorter range but hits harder, and finally catches aircraft reliably.
• Engineers can detect and disarm any trap.
• The superweapon and super unit cap depends on difficulty: unlimited on Easy, two on Normal, one on Hard.
• Fewer mismatches online, faster effects and AI.
• New options: turn off building decorations for performance, choose the control bar, use HD icons, enable anisotropic filtering.

Beta 2 went further. The authors reworked models, buildings, weapons and effects, adjusted the balance and recorded a new soundtrack. The Beta 2 fix list is long, from selecting enemy beacons online to damage values on individual units.

Contra X download

Every version is on the mod's page: moddb.com/mods/contra, under Downloads. There are two options:

1. Setup: an .exe installer, just run it.
2. Archive: extract it into the game folder.

After Beta 2, install Patch 1 by extracting it into the same folder and overwriting files. A separate copy of Zero Hour for Contra X saves you from mix-ups if you already have 009. Where to get the game itself legally is explained on the game files page.

Contra X or 009

Contra X is newer, and that's where the mod's development happens. The developers say their current priority is the game's source code: fixing old engine bugs and hooking up Generals Online for network matches.

Still, it's a beta. After Beta 2 dropped, players in the comments reported crashes in Generals' Challenge, and a patch came out three weeks later. If you want a stable game against the AI or on a phone, Contra 009 Final is the safer pick for now. If you play online and want the new balance, go with X.

Switching from 009 to X is simple. Make a fresh copy of clean Zero Hour 1.04, install Beta 2 into it, then Patch 1. Leave your 009 folder alone: that way you keep both versions and can go back if X crashes.

The old Contra 007 only makes sense for nostalgia.

Contra X on a phone

We haven't tested Contra X on Android yet. Verified so far: Contra 009 Final with Patch 3 and Contra 007. If you want X, message the bot: we'll try Beta 2 with the patch and tell you whether it works. Loading any mod in ZeroFront works the same way: the mod folder goes in as the game folder, the original Generals separately. Other mods and their status are in the mods table.

FAQ