Double Dragon

Double Dragon is a seminal beat 'em up arcade game developed and published by Technos Japan, first released in 1987. It quickly became a staple in arcades, defining a genre and setting a benchmark for cooperative brawling.

The game casts you as Billy or Jimmy Lee, martial artists on a mission to rescue Billy's girlfriend, Marian, who has been kidnapped by the notorious Black Warriors gang. You navigate through various urban landscapes, from city streets and factories to rickety bridges, confronting an assortment of ruffians. Your primary means of progress involves mastering a range of martial arts techniques. This includes standard punches and kicks, but also more advanced moves like the jump kick and the devastating elbow smash when an opponent is downed.

A key element of Double Dragon is its grappling mechanic. You can grab enemies, delivering a series of punches or special moves like knee strikes before throwing them. This adds a layer of tactical depth to the combat. The game also allows players to pick up and utilize environmental weapons, such as pipes, whips, and knives, which offer distinct advantages in dealing with multiple foes or tougher adversaries. The inclusion of a two-player cooperative mode lets friends team up, sharing the challenge of clearing the streets together.