Billy and Jimmy Lee's original arcade adventure will bring the pain next week to the Switch eShop at the usual price point. HAMSTER's Arcade Archives send off to 2017 is none other than Yoshihisa Kishimoto's sequel to Renegade (Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun in Japan, Kunio's debut video game), a coin-op that revolutionized the side scrolling beat'em up genre by offering two player cooperative gameplay... at least up to the very end (the heart wants what the heart wants).
In the grim dystopian future where gangs rule the streets and law is made by fists and steel, Marian sees herself kidnapped by the Black Warriors gang. Billy is having none of that, so he along with his brother Jimmy (Hammer and Spike in the US for Western sensibility purposes) take on the streets, the factory, the forest and the gang's hideout, delivering martial arts justice to the many foolish street thugs who face them, including powerhouse Abobo whose debut entrance is in Double Dragon players' minds to this day. It's far from award winning plot material, but back in the '80s this was all we needed to get things going.
Double Dragon will be the first Technōs Japan-developed / Taito-published title to be released as part of the Arcade Archives series from HAMSTER; hopefully it will not be the last.
Did you play this one back in the arcades or on any one of the many home ports? Will you grab an important piece of video gaming history next week to carry around on your Switch? Put up your fist and take on the comments section below.
Update: Better late than never, the game will finally arrive on January 18th.
[source japanesenintendo.com]
Comments 58
I elbowed my way through the entire game in the 80s lol. Day 1 for me this.
I know a few co-workers who will be running through this during lunch break.
Easiest Christmas purchase of the year
I still prefer the NES version since that's where the real challenge is. I'll probly still pick this one up though
Got excited thinking this is Super Double Dragon.
I think that is my most played SNES game.
Don't think I ever beat it either... .
If they bring the Taito Holy Trinity of Bubble Bobble, Rainbow Islands, and New Zealand story, I will be a deliriously happy Ooyah.
Wish we got this instead
Is it me, or that Japanese artwork at the top bears heavy influence from Fist of the North Star?
@Ooyah oh yes please, spent many hours on the Amiga with Rainbow Islands and New Zealand Story.
@GeminiSaint
Definitely that guy on the right has similar artwork to FoTNS, strangely also bears a slight resemblance to Tina Turner from Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdoom. See if you can spot which Dragon looks like Patrick Swayze from 'Road House'.
Cool but where do that Super Mario Vs game go??
You’re the best Hamster!! Day 1 for me!!
@Shiryu If that video is you playing the game, then you must have been having an off-day, because I've never seen somebody getting hit (and knocked down) that much straight from the beginning of the game.
It's either that, or I'm just a brilliant scrolling beat em up player...
Only played the master system port. Enjoyed it. Might try this
@Ooyah Drool!
Do we know this is for North America/Europe as well?
Very likely the most fondly remembered arcade game of my entire gaming life. An incredible Christmas gift to mark the end of an incredible Switch adventure for me in 2017. Day 1 download with a bullet!
@crackafreeze: I'll second that!
In the meantime, I'm not gonna lie to you. It's gonna get weird . . . .
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I swear I almost choked on my coffee I was drinking when I read the headline. Yes! YES!!!! At last! Double Dragon arcade is mine at last! What a way to go out of 2017. Hamster you sly dogs... you KNEW this was a top wanted Arcade Archive, and they delivered. OMG I'm so hype!
@ThanosReXXX Them arcade games weren't fair, especially this one if you played alone ("Single Dragon" if you will...) I will update with a better quality video ASAP.
Just keeps getting better...2017 is my best gaming year, hands down.
This was a bowling alley anthem if you had the lanes near the arcade! Watched the intro soooo many times after I was out of quarters when my mom used to bowl. God I miss those days......
I played a lot of the NES port, from start to finish.... and by finish I mean mission 4, because obviously that is the end of the game...... right?
I’m a sucker for DD. Played it endlessly with my brother as kids. Might give it a download to run threw it again with my son. Love a good co-op beat ‘em up.
Is this worth getting for single player only?
@GrailUK That's the magic strategy for this game
I will get it because this is an arcade version. Usually arcade versions are better than nes versions.
Must have for arcade collection.
Aaaand Data East arcade games were just announced! Karnov? Atomic Runner? Ring King? (They haven't said which ones yet)
of course ill get this
duh
The nes versions of double dragon 2&3 are my favourite double dragon games but might give this a crack!
@CptProtonX This also have a plug n play DD1 everywhere, on sale a lot too in Detroit anyway. I think it's the NES port tho.
@GrailUK
it better be night slashers!
I'm very much looking forward to this. Although I grew up playing the NES version, and have since gone on to own several home ports of the game, the arcade version always held that magic mystique of being the "perfect" Double Dragon.
I played it in the arcade countless times as a kid, once or twice at one of the local barcades in Des Moines more recently, and have even played it in emulation before. But to be able to own it and play it whenever without shelling out big bucks for an upright - as well as the ability to play it on the big screen or the small, at home or on the go, all adds up to a seriously desired purchase for me!
The NES version was timeless. The Mega Drive (Genesis where I'm from) version is excellent. But the Arcade is the pinnacle! Bring it on!
Cheers!
Elbow Smash, that never gets old
I will wait to make sure it is developmentally sound.....but assuming Hamster is up to their usual standards, I will buy this right away
@Whopper744
I think we get it tomorrow. Ugh! Nintendo and their release windows. Lol
Yes! Let's hope the second will be released as well!!
@Shiryu The quality was just fine, the skills were a bit... unexpected, coming from a retro demi-god like yourselves...
@Scottie If you like side-scrolling beat em ups, it definitely is worth getting. And if you don't mind the aging graphics, obviously.
But truth be told, it IS more fun with two players, although you could still have hours of fun by yourself, and because the gameplay is fairly simple, you could always replay it for a quick level or two in between work or school.
Or just because you want to improve your score...
Thank god we don't get the crappy NES version. Arcade version is the real Double Dragon. DD3 is a monstrosity that should never existed (developed by another company). Now what "usual price point" means? Not all readers know this. You could be a little more specific.
Already have this little gem on PS4 so I will pass.
@GrailUK Is this for real? Amazing, just been reading through Hardcore Gaming 101's book of Data East Arcade Classics. So many memories. Let's have some Bad Dudes vs. Dragon Ninja, Robocop, Night Slashers, WindJammers, Joe and Mac, Two Crude, Sly Spy, Boogie Nights and that Indiana Jones one for starters.
Side note: dude, turn on your activity profile so I can see what you been playing 👌
The Nes game is better but this is still a fun game.
arcade version is the best day 1 buy for me
@Lroy @GrailUK Data East has classics that be sweet
Robocop, Captain America and the Avengers, Bad Dudes, karate champ, Rampage
The last time I played Double Dragon on a handheld was the nifty GB conversion. Switch is the best home for these retro games, here’s hoping we get the Konami Arcade Archive as well.
oh ya day 1 buy. I remember line ups all the way out the arcade door to play this game then the waiting for weeks to rent and play the NES one.
This is the game that started it all. Double Dragon marks the birth of the "beat em up" genre. It started with DD and then peaked with Streets of Rage 2.
Way better than that so-called Double Dragon IV we got this year.
Also, fans of the arcade game who have the means to play GBA games whether it be through emulation or original hardware. Go play DOUBLE DRAGON ADVANCE. It is absolutely phenomenal. Like a best hits package of the arcade Double Dragon 1, 2 with gameplay refinements and superior graphics.
Dream come true. I was obsessed with this game as a youngster. The prospect of portable 2 player has me salivating.... This could also push a friend, whom hasn't owned a console since the megadrive, into buying a switch. I'm perhaps more excited for this than anything else this Xmas time. Fingers crossed this is the start of hamster porting across the arcade archives that appeared on the ps4, Double Dragon 2 included.
@Lroy agreed, great game. Pity it's quite rare and is therefore now rather expensive.
@Gerbwmu hopefully judging by the port on the ps4 this should be absolutely spot on, even down to the originals slowdown.
@ThanosReXXX Updated anyway for arcade stick performance.
@Miketeevee76 Thank god for emulation in cases such as these 😜
@Shiryu Arcade stick? Two thumbs up.
@ThanosReXXX I'm giving the N30 Arcade Stick a good bashing every day. Mostly shmups.
Hamster of Japan have just announced that they're delaying the release of Double Dragon until beginning of next year. Slightly p***ed off as I've been waiting for it to drop all day.
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