Double Dragon

The Good
This is the best looking and most loyal port of the original Double Dragon. The Master System version fills in every aspect which its (rather illogically designed) NES counterpart failed to deliver: most significantly, a simultaneous 2-player mode. It was because of this game, the word "simultaneous" was burned into my vocabulary as a second grader.

The action is very similar to the very popular NES port, but the controls feel much more free-form, the sprites were bigger, brighter and everything ran smoother. I'm sorry to have to put it into as many words, but the only way I can describe the differences is that "it had a more Master System feeling to it" (I know, I'm lame). In addition, the 2-player mode was a much appreciated feature for anyone who desired a port worth of the arcade version.

Expect to fight your through the same rogue gallery (Williams, Ropers, Lindas, Chins, Abobos, etc.), and through the same levels (the alleys, the forest, bad guy HQ, etc.) with your full arsenal of moves is readily available; there are no hearts to accrue, and the points are there solely to engage in the videogame pissing contest that usually occurs whenever two grade school boys play together.

There is also a lot of fighting done on platforms, fire escapes and rooftops; these environments contribute to the feeling that you are chasing thugs half the time while being chased by the thugs the other half of the time. In short: being able to climb is good

The Bad
Not to knock it, but you had to own a Master System to play it. To my knowledge, very few people owned a Master System compared to the numbers NES-nation had. Also, the Master System controllers were very prone to dig into your skin, and rather ironically, cause a nasty case of Nintendo-thumb. It's not Technos' fault that the Master System controller was designed by the Marque de Sade.

Also, this version of the Double Dragon is relentlessly unforgiving. It's very hard to recover whenever you lose a life; making it past the boss without dying becomes a crucial affair of life or death for the rest of the game. I found it literally impossible to complete the game without a partner.

The Bottom Line
This overlooked and relatively obscure console port is the best home version of Double Dragon series. It's surpassed only by the Double Dragon II NES port which is actually an unfair comparison since DBII for NES was completely redone specifically for the console.

The Good
Boy, was this game a big hit during its time! This was a time where when you played a game, it was either at the arcades or on the PC and similar consoles. Addictive as hell, especially when the PC port came out, which meant you saved a lot of coins!

It's amazing how little entertainment was back then. These games were the kind that even after you've finished it, you would finish it again 20 times over and still not get bored. Try doing that with games this day in age! But then again, games back then took half an hour to finish, more or less. The game is especially fun when you play it with a friend and end up killing each other at the end.

The Bad
Well the PC port was somewhat awkward in controls, especially when you catch an enemy and try to drive your ankle to his head. It's kinda slow compared to the original and the graphics aren't as good. But for saving many a coin, kids usually wouldn't care less.

The Bottom Line
Nice memories. You couldn't pay me to play it again though...haha

The Good
It's Christmas 1991, I receive Double Dragon. I don't know what it is. I stick it into the old Master System and load it up. 3 Hours later, I along with my Brother am still playing DD. Not exactly sure why, but I love this game.

I think it has to do with the simplicity of the plot. Bad guy takes Girl, You fight entire Bad Guy Army and rescue Girl. Pretty simple. Perhaps it is the semi-sick plot twist at the end of the the two player mode, which pits Brother against Brother for the heart of the Girl. Perhaps it's the music. Who knows they're all great.

Double Dragon is a side scrolling beat-em-up. Perhaps one of the first. Most definitely the first I played. You have a range of karate style moves & there are several weapons to be found along the way which you must use to beat 4 levels worth of enemies to a pulp.

The final level is the most visually & technically accomplished as you make your way through the booby trap laden enemy HQ. The two player mode is the best way to play this game as this will allow you to see the bizarre ending, where you must slug it out with your own brother to get the girl. Quite strange, even today. This was a game which really pushed the Master System to it's limits but is a wholly enjoyable game, which appeared in one format or another just about everywhere.

It's not the best looking game now, but this was the one that spawned so many imitations. And one of the only titles I can remember where the Main Baddie wastes his own guys just to get you.

A top game, that I still play every now and then.

The Bad
On the SMS version there was some quite bad clipping, which is a shame, as it's the only flaw.

The Bottom Line
Head bashing from back in the day that still holds up.