head to head
vs
Super ContravsThe Hong Kong Massacre
Super Contra leans Execution (Practiced Mastery); The Hong Kong Massacre leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Super ContraThe Hong Kong Massacre
Axis by axis
Execution8 vs 8
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance1 vs 2
The Hong Kong Massacre leans harder on variance: Enemy placements are scripted-but-unknown on first attempt
Optimization6 vs 5
Super Contra leans harder on optimization: Memorising spawns and weapon routes is half the run
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.