Double Dragon

"The only arcade perfect port of the arcade classic!"

Double Dragon hit the arcades way back in 1987 and became an instant classic. Since then versions of this game have appeared on everything from the Atari 7800 to the Gameboy, and many others. Yet most versions of this classic coin-op don?t even come close to replicating the arcade. The Sega Master System version came close and deserves honorable mention. While the NES version, which is what most of us probably played back in the day, wasn?t anything like the arcade version which inspired it, but was still a good game despite some flaws. But if you have fond memories of plunking quarters into the arcade cabinet, the Genesis version is the only way to go.

Graphics/sound: Aesthetically it appears to be a perfect port. It?s been a few years since I played it in the arcade, but this is exactly how I remember it. There isn?t much animation, the sound is pretty simple, and the music is the same classic tunes you remember from the arcade. Released in 1992, five years after the arcade release, the Genesis hardware could have easily allowed the programmers to improve the graphics. However that would have meant re-drawing everything, and in a port like this that would have defeated the purpose. This was meant to be a direct arcade port, and that?s exactly what it is, so in that sense the graphics couldn?t have been any better, and anything else would be a disappointment.

Gameplay: This is where some of the other reviewers seem to hate this game, and really I have to wonder if they?re playing the same game I am, because it controls perfectly. The characters do move fast, but that?s not a bad thing. And executing a series of punches can be a bit trickier than just thwacking the button as fast as possible. If you just hit punch over and over as fast as you can you?re probably going to have a hard time connecting with a series of attacks. The reason for that is you have to SLOW DOWN the button smashing, and hit the punch and kick buttons slightly slower and more rythmatically. If you do that it controls perfectly, and you wont be forced to rely solely on the invincible elbow.

Replay: Unfortunately you cannot increase the difficulty, and there are no extra modes. It?s a no nonsense arcade port, but provides a pleasant trip down memory lane. It took me many years to finally track down a copy of this game, and I know I will enjoy replaying it years from now. Its best enjoyed with a relative or friend who also grew up during the late eighties. Also I should mention that this game is short, only about 20 ? 25 minutes long.

Overall I would have to say this is a game for collectors, and classicists. If you didn?t grow up during this era, and never played it in the arcade then much of its charm will be lost on you. Double Dragon is every bit as much of a classic as Pac Man, Donkey Kong, and Super Mario Bros. But if your just looking for a great beat-em-up look elsewhere. River City Ransom, TMNT IV, Streets of Rage 2, and the rare (and expensive) Dungeons & Dragons Collection for Saturn are all far superior games, but none is more classic than the original Double Dragon.

Graphics: 7
Sound: 7
Gameplay: 7
Replay value: 3

Overall score (not an average): 7

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 07/14/02, Updated 07/14/02