Adapted from the groundbreaking arcade game, Double Dragon for the NES disappointed coin-op connoisseurs with its lack of a two-player simultaneous mode in the main mode of the game. There is a tacked on two-player mirror match feature in which players fight one-on-one, Street Fighter-style battles, but it hardly compensates. Joystick jockeys were also puzzled by the game's RPG-like use of experience points, which increase with every hit, giving Billy use of more moves in later levels. In addition, the level designs have been altered, jumping is a bit awkward, there are fewer enemies onscreen and, naturally, the graphics have been simplified. Still, despite all this, the game manages to be a fun and challenging side-scrolling brawler, thanks to some solid punching, kicking, obstacle-avoiding action.
~ Brett Alan Weiss, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
Double Dragon has its roots in such early punch-and-kick games as Chuck Norris Superkicks (1983) and Karate Champ (1984). Taito released Double Dragon to the arcades in 1987. Double Dragon II: The Revenge (1988) and Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone (1990) followed.
