Overview

Number of Players
1 (Single Player)
Genre
Release Date

NES

  • JP 8th Apr 1988
  • US Jun 1988
  • EU 1990

Wii (Wii Shop)

  • US 28th Apr 2008, 500 points
  • EU 25th Apr 2008, 500 points
  • JP 24th Feb 2009, 500 points

3DS eShop

  • JP 6th Feb 2013, ¥500
  • EU 5th Dec 2013, £4.49
  • US 12th Dec 2013, $4.99

Wii U eShop

  • US 12th Dec 2013, $4.99
  • EU 13th Mar 2014, £3.49
  • JP 22nd Jan 2014, ¥500
Also Available On
Series
Tags
Controller Support

Reviews

  • Review Double Dragon (3DS eShop / NES)

    Dragon us down

    From the moment protagonist Billy Lee’s sweetheart is sucker-punched in the opening sequence, Double Dragon establishes itself as an action-packed, thrilling battle through hordes of enemy combatants in an attempt to reclaim the captured damsel. As soon as gameplay begins, however, this façade is quickly stripped away to reveal an...

  • Review Double Dragon (Wii U eShop / NES)

    Solo komodo

    Double Dragon is notable for a whole host of reasons, among them that the NES version bears one of history's most misleading game titles by being a solo adventure with nary a dragon in sight. It also opens with an iconic, if anachronistic, bang — or, more specifically, a pow. A gangster brute socks a woman in the gut and carries her...

  • Review Double Dragon (Wii Virtual Console / NES)

    Single Dragon

    Double Dragon is a classic NES game that was immensely popular in its day, so much so that it led to a string of sequels. Predictably the NES conversion of the arcade original made some compromises and changes to the game, so the question is whether it stands up well in the current day. In terms of differences from the arcade version,...

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Double Dragon News

  • Soapbox Why I'm Not Excited About Playing NES Games On The Nintendo Switch

    All NES'ed out

    Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, Nintendo Life Operations Director Darren Calvert admits that he's not in the least bit excited about the prospect of playing NES games again in 2018... They say that...

  • Video You're Unlikely To Find A More Exhaustive History Of Double Dragon Than This

    "You got 50,000 on Double Dragon?!"

    Technos' Double Dragon has to rank as one of the most seminal arcade games of all time. While it wasn't the first side-scrolling fighter by a long way, it laid down the foundations of the genre and inspired countless clones and even a (terrible) Hollywood movie. It also played a significant role in the cult film...

  • Nintendo Download 13th March (Europe)

    Yoshi, Pokémon, Luigi, Cubes and more

    The Nintendo Download information is a day later than normal for the second consecutive week, yet the details are finally here. They bring two Virtual Console releases and a discount for Wii U, some more Luigi-themed discounts, and in addition the 3DS has a variety of new offerings — download-only and retail...

  • Nintendo Download 12th December (North America)

    RUSH, Double (Double) Dragon, 3D Sega and more

    It's Nintendo Download day, North America, and your collection of download treats for the week has been revealed. This week brings a mix of the old and new on both Wii U and 3DS, while DSiWare also makes an appearance. There's certainly decent variety on offer, so check out the details below. Wii U...

  • Nintendo Download 5th December (Europe)

    Bravely Default, more retro SEGA goodness, Scribblenauts and more

    Another week begins as we creep towards the Holidays, and Nintendo of Europe once again sends us on our way with a fresh download update. This week has some promising offerings, including more 3D SEGA goodies, a long awaited 3DS RPG and a much overdue Wii U and 3DS retail release;...

  • Podcast NLFM Episode 17: Love Fest 2011

    Love is in the air for this Valentine's Day special

    Ho ho ho! Happy Valentine's Day, citizens of Earth! Let Nintendo Life be your love muffin this year with a very special NLFM dedicated to all things lovey-dovey-goo-goo. If the music of this episode doesn't melt your ice-cold heart even a little then we'll only be hurt just a tad. 1. Shōgo Sakai...

  • Features Staff NES Stories

    Learn our shocking pasts

    To continue our celebration of 25 years of NES, the staff's gathered around the campfire to share their favourite memories of that little dream machine. Not everyone could make it to the party, unfortunately, but we're sure that those who couldn't had good reason to stay home. Join us now as we lay bare our souls to you and...

  • News US VC Releases - 28th April - Double Dragon

    Hot on the tails of River City Ransom from last week the theme of violence continues with the legendary Double Dragon on the NES punching its way to the Virtual Console.

    The NES version is a fun adaptation of the original arcade classic however there is no 2 player simultaneous option in the main game which is a crying shame (even the Master System...

  • News EU VC Releases - 25th April - The Last Ninja

    It seems every two weeks we get a Commodore 64 week now - No complaints from us, especially when it means that we get The Last Ninja, an excellent action platformer/puzzler hybrid featuring an agile ninja with a whole assortment of weaponry. The game was incredibly well-received in its day, being the number one selling original creation on the Commodore 64.

    Accompanying it is World Games. In a fashion similar to California Games, it features a number of sports, only this time, from around the world instead of California. The game is not too special, but...

  • News 3 NES Beat 'em Ups Coming To US Virtual Console Soon

    The North American Virtual Console is in for a treat over the next three Mondays as our pals at IGN have revealed that River City Ransom, Double Dragon and Renegade will be punching their way to the Virtual Console in successive weeks.

    Much to the annoyance of North American VC fans the rather excellent River City Ransom came out in February in...

About The Game

Double Dragon is one of the most popular arcade-style action fighting games ever, and has been used as a classic model for subsequent beat'em-up games.

Published initially as an arcade title only, it's huge success has allowed the game to be converted across multiple platforms.

Double Dragon tells the story of two brothers, Billy and Jimmy Lee, who start a journey in order to save Billy's girlfriend Marian. The girl has been kidnapped by the Black Warriors, a gang of martial artists that are trying to learn the secrets of the technique SouSetsuKen, mastered by the two brothers.

Double Dragon features offers a deep combat system based on punches, kicks and many weapons and interactive items. Moreover, the story will take the player to visit and explore many different locations, from the city suburbs to the mountains.