Classic Games

Double Dragon

Beat-em-up perfected

Technos' 1987 arcade brawler codified the belt-scrolling beat-em-up, letting friends punch through gangs together.

C64SpectrumAmigaNES arcadeactionbeat-em-up 1987–2024

Overview

Double Dragon didn’t invent the beat-em-up, but it perfected the formula. Technos Japan’s 1987 arcade game let two players fight side-by-side through urban streets, rescuing Marian from the Black Warriors gang. The combination of cooperative play, varied combat, and pickup weapons created a template every brawler since has followed.

Fast facts

  • Developer: Technos Japan.
  • Release: June 1987 (arcade).
  • Protagonists: Billy and Jimmy Lee, martial arts masters.
  • Plot: rescue Marian from the Black Warriors.
  • Innovation: cooperative two-player beat-em-up.
  • Ports: virtually every platform of the era.
  • Sequels: Double Dragon II, III, series continues.

The gameplay

Double Dragon established brawler conventions:

  • Belt scrolling: move right, fight enemies, progress.
  • Two-player cooperative: fight together against waves.
  • Varied moves: punch, kick, jump kick, elbow, headbutt.
  • Weapons: bats, whips, knives, barrels—pick up and use.
  • Enemy variety: distinct enemy types with different tactics.

The moves

Combat had depth unusual for the genre:

  • Punch combo: basic three-hit string.
  • Jump kick: standard platforming offense.
  • Elbow strike: backwards attack.
  • Hair grab: throw stunned enemies.
  • Knee to face: brutal finishing move.

The arcade experience

Cooperative play created social gaming:

  • Friends working together.
  • Dividing enemies and weapons.
  • Coordinating attacks on bosses.
  • (Optionally) fighting each other for Marian at the end.

Home versions

Double Dragon was widely ported:

  • NES: limited to single-player, but added RPG elements.
  • C64: impressive conversion despite limitations.
  • Spectrum: playable, monochrome interpretation.
  • Amiga/ST: arcade-quality visuals.

No home version matched arcade’s two-player impact.

The NES version

The NES port took unusual liberties:

  • Single-player only (technical limitation).
  • Experience points and unlocking moves.
  • Mode B allowed two-player versus.
  • Different game, still excellent.

Legacy

Double Dragon defined cooperative action gaming. Every beat-em-up since—Final Fight, Streets of Rage, modern brawlers—follows its template. The Lee brothers became icons. “Punch guys, walk right” became a genre unto itself.

See also