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Double Dragon (1988)

Arc System Works, Technos Japan

Port of Double Dragon

Arcade · Family Computer · Nintendo Entertainment System · Wii · Wii U

3.32 from 695 ratings

1481 members have it in their collection · 20 playing now · 164 backlogged · 92 wish listed

How long? Main story 1h · with extras 1h · 100% 10h (from 6 logged playthroughs)

The NES version of Double Dragon takes a wide range of liberties with the interpretation. The entire graphical style is more in line with Technōs’ Kunio-kun series, with characters that go for exaggerated expression rather than gritty realism. The biggest change, however, was reserved for the moveset. You start the game with only the punch, kick and headbutt available – … Read more
The NES version of Double Dragon takes a wide range of liberties with the interpretation. The entire graphical style is more in line with Technōs’ Kunio-kun series, with characters that go for exaggerated expression rather than gritty realism. The biggest change, however, was reserved for the moveset. You start the game with only the punch, kick and headbutt available – all the other moves are obtained via an RPG-lite style experience system. Hitting enemies is now rewarded with a certain amount of experience points depending on the attack, and each time the counter goes above 999, you’re awarded an additional heart, which extends the range of possible actions. Two hearts add the uppercut and roundhouse kick combo finishers, and with three Billy can perform the jump kick maneuver. The fourth heart unlocks access to grappling moves. Read less
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Details

Developers
Arc System Works, Technos Japan
Publishers
Arc System Works, Technos Japan
Genres
Arcade, Fighting, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Themes
Action
Franchises
Double Dragon
Series
Double Dragon

Release dates

  • Apr 08, 1988 (Full Release) (Japan) Family Computer, Nintendo Entertainment System
  • Jun 1988 (Full Release) (North_America) Nintendo Entertainment System
  • 1990 (Full Release) (Europe) Nintendo Entertainment System
  • Apr 25, 2008 (Full Release) (Europe) Wii
  • Apr 25, 2008 (Full Release) (Australia) Wii
  • Apr 28, 2008 (Full Release) (North_America) Wii
  • Feb 24, 2009 (Full Release) (Japan) Wii
  • Dec 12, 2013 (Full Release) (North_America) Wii U
  • Jan 22, 2014 (Full Release) (Japan) Wii U
  • Mar 13, 2014 (Full Release) (Europe) Wii U
  • Mar 13, 2014 (Full Release) (Australia) Wii U

Also available on

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Featured in lists

NSO Classics Collection - NES by Roach · 84 games · 2
MS-DOS by DarkLolo · 16 games · 0

Rating distribution

5 stars
71
4 stars
178
3 stars
358
2 stars
78
1 star
10
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Community All Reviews Statuses

internpepper

Status internpepper Mar 27, 2024

I played the NES version. It's a fairly standard beat-em-up, but the weapons and new moves you get after leveling up are fun to discover and use. Levels 3 and 4 are incredibly long, and level 3 in particular is a jerk with endless loops unless you figure out the correct way to go. I guess I should appreciate puzzle …

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I played the NES version. It's a fairly standard beat-em-up, but the weapons and new moves you get after leveling up are fun to discover and use. Levels 3 and 4 are incredibly long, and level 3 in particular is a jerk with endless loops unless you figure out the correct way to go. I guess I should appreciate puzzle elements, but that was annoying. I was actually okay with the platforming sections though. The punishing difficulty is definitely a trademark of the time, but it's still a good game. Looking forward to trying others in the series.

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Chovus

Status Chovus Mar 27, 2024

Beat on 30 frames per second mode. I can't remember if I rented this back in the day or only the sequels. It had little to recommend it over later games due to lack of coop. I did not enjoy this game very much, so I beat the game in 3 sessions that were weeks apart. The game was ok …

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Beat on 30 frames per second mode. I can't remember if I rented this back in the day or only the sequels. It had little to recommend it over later games due to lack of coop. I did not enjoy this game very much, so I beat the game in 3 sessions that were weeks apart. The game was ok up until the bridge in level 3 where I had to look up how to jump. Oh just press A and B. I did a lot of save state scumming to figure out the best move in each situation, but it was lame that most moves were done randomly. Spamming kick was a good way to start a fight, but if he grabbed the enemy with another nearby it was important not to let the full combo go on. I got good results using punch combos on knocked down enemies by timing it perfectly, which is how I beat the 2 final bosses. This also worked well on solo big guys by clipping inside them as they stood up, which let me punch them while ignoring their hits. Jump kick was ok at times but enemies randomly ducked to avoid it, while also sometimes doing their own jump kicks. I tried straddling downed enemies a few times but it was only good on weak enemies. I read that the elbow hit was the best but I did not bother with it most of the time. The first 2 levels were the most fun with frequent weapons and simple level design. Levels 3 and 4 had dumb endless repeating unless going through a background door, and even dumber platforming. After beating I played at normal speed until the bridge on level 3 where I lost all my lives getting knocked into the water by the knife guy.

Not a bad game for one of the first beat em ups but I would have preferred more tactical control of the moves, more weapons and carnage, and remove the platforming altogether.

6.5/10

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FiretheFlameLord

Status FiretheFlameLord Aug 5, 2023

DOUBLE DRAGON REVIEW: (GENESIS)

Double Dragon is a 1993 progressive fighting game.Software Creations, the game's producer, and Accolade, its distributor, have done a great job.The story of the game is as follows.Twin brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee learned to fight before they could walk. Their martial arts and street smarts have turned them into the worst fighting machines in the …

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DOUBLE DRAGON REVIEW: (GENESIS)

Double Dragon is a 1993 progressive fighting game.Software Creations, the game's producer, and Accolade, its distributor, have done a great job.The story of the game is as follows.Twin brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee learned to fight before they could walk. Their martial arts and street smarts have turned them into the worst fighting machines in the big city. But now Billy faces his biggest challenge - to save his girlfriend Marian from the evil clutches of the mysterious Shadow Boss and the deadly gang of bandits known as the "Black Warriors"."As a master Ninja, you will throw punches, head-butt and high-kick groove slime surrender. Knives, whips, baseball bats, rocks, oil drums and dynamite are your weapons. Rat-infested slums, toxic factories and brutal back alleys are your war zones. This is a non-stop, high-voltage action that culminates in an epic battle with the Shadow Boss-Billy's own twin brother Jimmy!The gameplay is as follows.in this game consisting of 4 sections, you are trying to kill the enemies and cross the section.The music of the game is beautiful.If you are not too obsessed with graphics and you like retro games, this game is for you.My rating for the game: 10/10 (y) Good games to everyone 🙂

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