Double Dragon Video Game Series
The beat'em up series, started by Technos Japan on arcade machines, which over time was released on consoles as well as PCs and mobile devices. In 2015, the rights to the brand were acquired by Arc System Works, which has been taking care of it ever since.
The main characters of the Double Dragon games are Billy and Jimmy Lee - masters of martial arts, who roam dangerous locations and face various thugs. The brothers can perform punches and kicks, as well as use melee weapons and objects they find along the way. The action is presented in 2D, but we can move around the arenas not only sideways, but also up and down. The pillar of the gameplay is the elimination of hosts of enemies; in addition to regular opponents, we will also face much more powerful bosses. Clashes are dynamic, and during them we have to be in constant motion, delivering accurate punches and kicks. As befits a series whose roots go back to the golden era of arcade machines, we can play alone or in cooperation.
The first installment of the series, simply titled Double Dragon, debuted on arcade machines in 1987. Soon after, the title arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System console, and in 1990 - also on the Game Boy Advance. The aforementioned editions of the game were overseen by the authors of the original, Technos Japan; the versions for other platforms, on the other hand, were the work of external developers.
In 1988, we got a sequel called Double Dragon II: The Revenge. In 1990, the series got its third installment, titled Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone. Although both games were first released on arcade machines, in time they also appeared on the NES console (with the third part of the series receiving a different subtitle - Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones). In 1991, we got the "other" Double Dragon II, developed for Nintendo Game Boy, while in 1992 we got the fourth installment called Super Double Dragon (released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System console). This was the last work of the team that had been overseeing the development of the series from the beginning. After the release of the fourth game, the successive developers were unable to find a sensible idea to develop the series further.
In 1994, we got Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls on the Super NES and Sega Mega Drive consoles (and later also on the Atari Jaguar platform), which, unlike its predecessors, was not a beat'em up, but a fighting game; interestingly, the project was an adaptation of the Double Dragon animated series. In 1995, we got Double Dragon, which was first released on the Neo Geo console and then PlayStation. After the release of the latter, the series had an eight-year hiatus. In 2003, Atlus developed a remake of the first installment of the series, titled Double Dragon Advance released for Game Boy Advance. In 2009 and 2011, the first Double Dragon got more remakes, which were released on the Zeebo platform and on iPhones. In 2012, we got Double Dragon Neon by the WayForward Technologies studio, which was, in a way, a parody of the entire series. In April 2013, we got a 3D remake of the second installment of the series, called Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons, released by the Gravity team.
Finally, in 2015, Arc System Works took over the rights to the franchise. In 2017, the series received a full-fledged fourth installment, titled Double Dragon IV, released on PC and consoles. The game was supervised not only by developers from Arc System Works, but also by some of the original developers. In July 2023, players received a spin-off of the series calledDouble Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, which combined brawler mechanics with solutions found in roguelikes. Shortly afterwards, we also got Super Double Dragon for PC and consoles.
The Double Dragon series ushered in a kind of golden era of beat'em ups, triumphing primarily on arcade machines. Due to the series' popularity, in 1993 we got an animated series, followed a year later by a movie adaptation.
Double Dragon Series Evolution
2025
Double Dragon Revive
2023
Super Double Dragon
2023
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons
2017
Double Dragon IV
2013
Double Dragon Trilogy
2012
Double Dragon: Neon
2003
Double Dragon Advance
1992
Double Dragon III: The Rosetta Stone
1989
Double Dragon II: The Revenge
1988
Double Dragon
Double Dragon Revive
October 23, 2025
Action, 2.5D, Beat 'em Up, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
A new opening in the series of beat'em up titles, created by Yuke's and published by Arc System Works. Double Dragon Revive features a side view with 3D graphics, allowing us again to play as Billy and Jimmy Lee, defeating groups of enemies standing in their way.
OpenCritic
Steam
Super Double Dragon
November 9, 2023
Action, 2D, Beat 'em Up, Co-op, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Splitscreen, Singleplayer.
The fourth installment of the iconic beat'em up series, Double Dragon. Super Double Dragon stars Billy and Jimmy, facing off against the Shadow Warriors gang.
Steam
Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons
July 27, 2023
Action, 2D, Beat 'em Up, Co-op, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Splitscreen, Post-apocalypse, Roguelike, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
A spin-off of an iconic beat'em up series, featuring roguelike elements. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is set in post-apocalyptic New York City, tasking us with fighting against the gangs terrorizing its ruins.
Steam
Users
Double Dragon IV
January 30, 2017
Action, 2D, Beat 'em Up, Internet, Co-op, LAN, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Splitscreen, Singleplayer.
The fourth installment in the legendary beat ‘em up series, developed by Arc System Works. The development was supported by the persons responsible for the cult-classic previous installments of the series, including Takaomi Kaneko, Yoshihisa Kishimoto, Koji Ogata, and Kazunaka Yamane. Similarly to the previous installments of the Double Dragon series, the gameplay focuses on traversing 2D locations and eliminating hordes of approaching opponents. Our means of survival include punches and kicks, as well as numerous melee weapons, with each level ending in a boss fight that requires much more effort from the player. Double Dragon IV received a story mode that can be completed alone, or with the help of another player. Completing the campaign unlocks the Tower Mode, involving the climb on the progressively higher levels of the titular tower, and a 2P Duel Mode, focusing on online 1v1 battes. The game is characterized by simple, pixel-art visuals, which take the player back to the previous installments of the series, known for popularizing the beat ‘em up genre.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
Double Dragon Trilogy
December 5, 2013
Action, 2D, Beat 'em Up, Internet, LAN, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Splitscreen, Remaster/remake, Singleplayer.
Compilation of the first three installments in the cult brawler game series, released for arcade machines at the turn of the 1980s and 90s. The remasters of those classic titles were handled by DotEmu. Double Dragon Trilogy tells of the adventures of two brothers – Billy and Jimmy Lee – Sou-Setsu-Ken masters, who run a small martial arts school in a post-apocalyptic New York. All three games are focused on two-person co-op gameplay, which comes down to traversing two-dimensional levels and beating up opponents on the way. Melee combat is based on a whole range of punches and kicks as well as the frequent use of different types of weapons. The games offer both Story Mode and Arcade Mode, the latter being all about high scores. Double Dragon Trilogy returns with slightly enhanced graphics, although it is also possible to play with the original audiovisuals. In addition, the remasters offer three levels of difficulty and the option to customize controls.
Steam
Users
Double Dragon: Neon
September 11, 2012
Action, 2.5D, Beat 'em Up, Internet, Co-op, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Splitscreen, PS Plus Premium, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
New version of the classic walking Double Dragon fight from 1987. Like the original, it allows two people to have fun at the same time, who take on the role of brothers trained in martial arts, fighting with a dangerous gang.
Steam
Users
Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons
September 21, 2011
Fighting, Beat 'em Up, Internet, Multiplayer, Singleplayer, Xbox Exclusive.
Double Dragon II: Wander of the Dragons is a refreshed version of the Double Dragon II: The Revenge, still popular in the 1980s. The games can also be played in multiplayer mode via the network, in a maximum of four people.
Users
Double Dragon Advance
November 11, 2003
Action, 2D, Beat 'em Up, Multiplayer, Splitscreen, Singleplayer.
To the renewed version of the "pre-glacier" game there were a few elements in the form of improved graphics, more capacious sounds and new locations.
Steam
Users
Double Dragon III: The Rosetta Stone
May 21, 1992
Action, 2D, Beat 'em Up, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Splitscreen, Singleplayer.
The third and last installment of Double Dragon series, which, like the original, was a direct conversion of the game from slot machines. This time Billy and Jimmy will not settle their accounts on the streets of a big city, but will set off into the world.
Users
Double Dragon II: The Revenge
October 20, 1989
Action, 2D, Beat 'em Up, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Splitscreen, Singleplayer.
Despite a quick and effective retaliation in the first part of the game, Marian was murdered by members of the mysterious Shadow Boss gang. Billy Lee had no choice but to stand up again and administer justice. Our hero doesn't know yet that there is a way to restore a woman's life, but in order to do this you have to penetrate the underground hiding place of the main opponent.
Users
Double Dragon
March 20, 1988
Fighting, 2D, Beat 'em Up, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Splitscreen, Singleplayer.
Double Dragon is a cult murder from coin-up machines, which once enjoyed great popularity. No one should be surprised that the game was soon transferred to home hardware platforms, including PeCety.
Users