Double Dragon (双截龍) is without a doubt, one of the most influential and popular video games of all time. Originally titled The Rescue, Double Dragon was created by the now-defunct Technos Japan and published by Taito (now a subsidiary of Square Enix), and was released in arcades in Japan on 22 April 1987, and in Europe and the United States in June 1987. The game quickly became a global phenomenon, spawning a series of sequels, spin-offs, and even a (really suck-ass) live-action film.
Double Dragon is a spiritual and technological successor to Technos’ earlier beat ’em up, 1986’s Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun, which was released outside of Japan by Taito as Renegade. Players could team up as twin brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee (called Hammer and Spike, respectively), martial artists who were on a quest to rescue Billy’s kidnapped girlfriend, Marian, from the evil gang known as the Black Dragon.
The game’s title is a reference to the two-player gameplay and the 1973 martial arts film Enter the Dragon, which was a major inspiration behind both Kunio-kun and Double Dragon, while the game’s post-apocalyptic art style and setting were influenced by films Mad Max and Fist of the North Star. Lead developer Yoshihisa Kishimoto originally envisioned Double Dragon as a direct sequel and part of the Kunio-kun series, before making it a new game with a different cast and setting.
The game’s two-player cooperative action was simple but effective while being fast-paced and challenging, and added a few new elements to the Kunio-kun belt scroll beat ’em up formula. In order to survive, players had to use their abilities and reflexes to punch, kick, throw, and use a range of special attacks on their foes. Other features included the use of cut scenes to give the game a cinematic feel and the ability to pick up an enemy’s weapon after disarming them.
Double Dragon was also among the first games with a ‘continue’ feature. If you’re curious, Konami’s 1981 release ‘Super Cobra‘ was the first game to include a continue feature. A lot of people think SNK’s ‘Fantasy‘ was the first, but they’re wrong. Super Cobra came out in March 1981, while Fantasy was released in October 1981.
There are a ton of things that helped to make Double Dragon a hit. Billy and Jimmy Lee were two of the most iconic characters in video game history — tough, and skilled in martial arts. Players loved playing as these characters, and the game also featured a number of memorable villains, including the Black Dragon gang leader, Willy, the over-muscled Abobo, and whip-wielding Linda. The game’s graphics were simply stunning for the time, with detailed sprites and vibrant backgrounds, accompanied by an awesome soundtrack composed by the legendary Yuzo Koshiro, who also composed the soundtracks for Sega’s Streets of Rage and Shinobi.
Double Dragon was a groundbreaking game that helped to define the beat-’em-up genre, and a classic game still enjoyed by gamers today. There are a number of great Double Dragon games that were released after the original, including several modern remakes like Double Dragon Neon (highly recommended!) and Double Dragon IV.
So if you’ve never played Double Dragon, or if you haven’t played it in a while, now is the perfect time to check it out. You won’t be disappointed. Be sure to let us know how you’re enjoying Double Dragon’s 36th anniversary in the comments below.
